CHAP.XII.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-CONFEDERATE.
EIGHT P. M.
An express messenger is just in front Jacksborough, with dispatches from Captains Rowan and Ashby, of the cavalry. The former scouted to Hunstville and Chitwood's, on the Kentucky line, took 2 prisoners near Huntsville, who state that there are 1,000 or 1,200 of the enemy encamped at or near Isabel's Point, which I think is at the Forks of the Cumberland, under command of Colonel Hoskins. The latter took 2 prisoners from London, 1 of whom was at the Rockcastle Camp at the time of the fight. They say that the enemy are now 8,000 strong at London, fortifying, in anticipation of an attack from me.
Very respectfully,
F. K. ZOLLICOFFER, Brigadier-General.
CUMBERLAND GAP, November 5, 1861.
Colonel W. B. WOOD, Knoxville, Tenn.:
SIR: I will start for Jacksborough to-morrow, where there are five regiments. The letters you send me from Lieutenant-Colonel McClellan show that no force is advancing in that direction. The heavy movement he has information of "from Wild Cat to Crab Orchard" is in direction toward Camp Robinson, and not towards Jamestown or Jacksborough, and indicates a supporting movement to a concentration in front of General Buckner, as I have heretofore telegraphed General Johnston. My scouts from Jacksborough and Big Creek Gap out to Kentucky hear of no advance in that direction; but prisoners; taken represent the enemy as fortifying near London, in apprehension of an attack from me. The man you mentioned who circulated the report of the approach of 30,000 of the enemy near the East Tennessee line was doubtless a Lincolnite, and ought to have been arrested. I regret that you hurried request to the Government for a regiment before applying to me for aid. Colonels Stanton and Marray have been ordered to Jamestown by General Johnston, and are, I hope, by this time there. The regiments here and at Jacksborough are busily employed making defensive works at the gaps, and I should regret to detail a single regiment unnecessarily; but if you still think the indications around you are of so pressing a character, write to me at Jacksborough, and I will send you a regiment without delay.
Very respectfully,
F. K. ZOLLICOFFER, Brigadier-General.
CAMP McGINNIS, November 5, 1861.
General ZOLLICOFFER:
SIR: I had information from my pickets this morning, who were up the road within 10 miles of Monticello yesterday evening at sundown. There were at the town Federal troops; the number and character they could no ascertain. I have sent a strong picket to-day up both roads to Monticello, also to Albany. They have sent in a messenger at dark, and report that they have made no discovery of the approach of the enemy. I directed the different pickets to go as far up the roads as would be safe, and report back to-night or early in the morning. I shall dispatch again to-morrow, if we ascertain the movements of the
