OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE. [CHAP.XII.

SEPTEMBER 26-30, 1861.-Expedition from Cumberland Ford, including skirmish at Laurel Bridge, Laurel County, and capture of Salt Works in Clay County, Kentucky.

Reports of Brigadier General F. K. Zollicoffer, C. S. Army.

BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS, Camp Buckner, Ky., September 30, 1861.

SIR: The detachments whose movements I reported to you on the 26th instant are returning into camp. The command of Colonels Rains and Statham and Lieutenant-Colonel McNairy went a few miles beyond London, having driven in the enemy's pickets a few miles this side of Laurel Bridge, captured a part of the baggage of the encampment at the bridge, and given ineffectual chase for several miles to a retreating fore variously estimated at from 600 to 1,500. They captured two of the pickets and one other prisoner, 8,000 cartridges, 25,000 caps, 3 kegs of powder, 6 barrels of salt, 2 wagons and teams (hauling off the last of their baggage), 3 other horses, 25 pairs of shoes, and several guns.

The commands of Colonel Cummings and Lieutenant-Colonel Brazelton proceeded to the salt works in Clay County and loaded their wagon train with all the salt there-200 barrels-and returned with it without any incident of note. The works belong to Lincoln men, but Colonel Cummings was instructed to receipt for it, which he did.

It appears certain that a portion of the enemy's force at Laurel Bridge was from Camp Dick Robinson, and there is reason to suppose that a considerable force has advanced from that camp toward London, but of this I have no reliable information. I have not yet had an opportunity of getting detailed information from the officers of the character of the roads, the topography of the country, tempter of the people, &c., but learn that the people seem hostile, and that the roads have numerous mountain defiles.

I regret to have to report that I leaner that some of our soldiers committed discreditable trespasses on the property of private citizens on the route, which I will investigate and endeavor ot have property punished. It will tend to thwart progress I was making in conciliating masses of ignorant people here who were hostile because they were told we would have no respect for their personal or property rights.

Very respectfully,

F. K. ZOLLICOFFER, Brigadier-General.

Lieutenant-Colonel MACKALL, Assistant Adjutant-General, Columbus, Ky.

BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS, Camp Buckner, September 30, 1861.

SIR: On the morning of the 26th instant Colonel Rains' regiment, Colonel Stathem, with a battalion of his regiment, and Lieutenant-Colonel McNairy's cavalry battalion, marched for Laurel Bridge, in Laurel County, Ky., to break up a camp of the enemy, variously estimated from 600 to 1,500.

On the same morning I sent Colonel Cummings' regiment and Lieutenant-Colonel Brazelton, with a part of his cavalry battalion, to the