Today in History:

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

Page 292(Official Records Volume 4)  


OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE. [CHAP.XII.

You will see before this reaches you that Colonel Brown has moved to the river some 2 miles from us. I would be afraid to place them between the enemy and our camp. Some of his men are, I fear, a little timid, and I doubt whether or not they will do their duty on that side of us. There is a tolerable good camping ground about 2 miles beyond our camp. General Carter spoke of it as we passed it, looking out the points to blockade. It is near Little Rockcastle, and near a point where the road passes between the point of a ridge and Little Rockcastle River. At the point where we are camped there is but little room, though we can stick our tents about on points and sides of hills, and could find room enough to place another regiment on the same kind of ground.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

T. T. GARRARD, Colonel Third Regiment Volunteers.

P. S.- Are there any cartridges for rifled muskets at camp Robinson? The muskets I received of captain Cardwell, of Harrodsburg, are rifled. I have not examined, but learn from others the ordinary cartridge will not suit them. Surgeon Hogan has not yet been furnished with a tent. He desires one sent, if there is any to be had.

[Inclosure.]

BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS, Camp Buckner, September 25, 1861.

Colonel James E. Rains will march at 4 o'clock to-morrow morning, via Barboursville, to Laurel Bridge, on the London road, with his regiment, provisional for six days, three rations of which should be cooked, leaving his tents in this encampment. Colonel McNairy' command will accompany him or follow him, by a right-hand road crossing Laurel Creek about 2 miles above the bridge. Colonel R. will have command, and will dislodge a supposed force of the enemy at the bridge by attacking simultaneously with infantry and cavalry at both ends of the bridge. He will be furnished a guide, who will give him information of some arms, which he will capture, if practicable. He will take with him also Lieutenant Falcon's section of artillery. A battalion of Colonel Statham's infantry, with three companies of Colonel Branner's cavalry, will be posted on the road to be pursued by Colonel McNairy about 10 miles back, to give support, if necessary. Simultaneously, Colonel Cummings' regiment, with two companies of Colonel Broydton's [Brazelton's?] cavalry, will escort a train of wagons to the Goose Creek Salt Works, 16 or 18 miles east, in Clay County, to load with salt. The different detachments will communicate by express messengers with each other and with me, and when the salt train returns all will return to this encampment. Much is trusted to colonel Rains' discretion in whatever may transpire on the way.

F. K. ZOLLICOFFER, Brigadier-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE OHIO, October 3, 1861.

Brigadier General GEORGE H. THOMAS, Commanding Camp Dick Robinson, Ky.:

GENERAL: I have just received yours of the 1st instant. The regiments sent from Ohio to your camp have been compelled to leave without