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233 Series I Volume IV- Serial 4 - Operations in the South and West

Page 233(Official Records Volume 4)  


CHAP.XII.] REVOLT OF THE UNIONISTS IN EAST TENN.

or 400 five miles east of Monticello. I except Colonels Stanton and Murray here to-morrow.

Yours, truly,

GEO. R. McCLELLAN, Lieutenant-Colonel

KNOXVILLE, November 10, 1861.

General ZOLLICOFFER:

SIR: Information has been received that Mr. Hodgson, a member of the legislature, has been making a treasonable speech over in Sevier County. He is also suspected as having a knowledge, if not an instigator, of he burning of the bridges. He was here yesterday morning, and we would have arrested him, but he made his escape, and may probably try to get through your lines somewhere. He ought to be arrested. Five of the incendiaries who burned the Lick Creek Bridge have been arrested. I have sent up after them. The bridge at Union has been destroyed; one at Charleston; two on the Western and Atlantic Road below Chattanooga.

Regretting as much as any one this calamity, I feel that I did all that I could to prevent it, and I am glad that it is no worse. I had a company at Lick Creek, but the incendiaries deceived them, and getting possession of their guns, took them prisoners and accomplished their ends. I send you a Register, from which you will see some of the measures I have taken for the present as being necessary under the circumstances.

What shall I do with the prisoners?

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. B. WOOD.

LOUDON, TENN., November 10, 1861.

Colonel W. B. WOOD, Commanding:

DEAR SIR: Captain Cawood's company arrived here at 6 o'clock yesterday evening, and are pitching their tents to-day at the northers end of the bridge, while Captain Eldridge is encamped at the southern end. Extra pickets and sentinels were posted during the night, but no demonstration was made from any quarter, and the night was passed in quiet.

The Union feeling of this county is exceedingly bitter, and all they want, in my opinion, to induce a general uprising is encouragement from the Lincoln armies by the introduction or advance of Lincoln armies. They have a great many arms, and are actually manufacturing Union flags to receive the refuges Tennesseans when they return. They are getting bold enough to avow their purposes. If we were strong enough, or had one or two more companies, a great many arms could be procured in this neighborhood. I mean if we had the force to spare from the bridge.

Very respectfully,

T. J. CANNON, Major, Commanding.

LYNCHBURG, November 10, 1861.

His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS, President Confederate States:

I have received dispatch from Bristol and other points asking me to apply to you for assistance, which with the fact that the bridge over