OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE. [CHAP.XII.
fact that large parties, numbering from 29 to 100, are every day passing through the narrow and unfrequented gaps of the mountain into Kentucky to join the enemy. My courier, just in from Jamestown, informs me that a few nights ago 170 men passed from Roane County over into Kentucky. I do not believe that the Unionists are in the least reconciled to the Government, but on the contrary are as hostile to it as the people of Ohio, and will be ready to take up arms as soon as they believe the Lincoln forces are near enough to sustain them. I do not believe that the Southern men here are alarmed of nervous. They are as brave and fearless as any I ever saw, but they do live in constant apprehension that a general uprising and rebellion may take place at any day.
I submit the matter to the determination of the Department, assuring you that I will do all that I can with 200 infantry and one company of cavalry to prevent any disturbance.
I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,
W. B. WOOD, Colonel, Commanding Post.
CUMBERLAND GAP, November 4, 1861.
General S. COOPER, Adjutant-General:
No late indications of enemy. Begin to suspect the movement was a feint, and that their forces may be withdrawing to support concentration on General Buckner's front.
F. K. ZOLLICOFFER, Brigadier-General.
CUMBERLAND GAP, November 4, 1861.
Lieutenant-Colonel MACKALL, Assistant Adjutant-General, Bowling Green, Ky.:
SIR: After all the efforts I have known how to employ, I have at no time been able to procure any but uncertain information of the strength and movements of the enemy in my front. The population between here and Camp Robertson [Dick Robinson?] is generally hostile and ignorant. Of the few professing friendship, some are treacherous; others afraid to attempt to furnish information. I am liable, therefore, to error from want of reliable information. I am now inclined to suspect that the enemy will make no forward movement toward East Tennessee, but will retire from this line to give support to a concentrated movement in General Buckner's front. We have vague news to this effect from citizens, communicated through our cavalry scouts on the Barboursville road. No news yet from our cavalry scouting from Jacksonborough back towards Williamsburg and Pine Knot Tavern, in Kentucky. I have now five regiments concentrating near Jacksborough, with all our field artillery. Captain Shellaha [Sheliha?] is in that quarter, making reconnaissance, and I will employ the troops in making such defensive works as he may direct. The work here is still being pushed vigorously with the labor of two regiments and a half. Colonel Murray was in Overton County on the 30th. I have not heard from Colonel Stanton. Six cavalry companies, under Lieutenant-Colonel McClellan, were near Jamestown on the 30th. On the 2nd instant I sent an express messenger through under a cavalry escort with letters, the object of which was
