F. K. Zollicoffer, September 30, 1861

SIR:

On the morning of the 26th instant Oolonel Rains’ regiment, Colonel Statham, with a battalion of his regiment, and LieutenantColonel 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

Cmar. XİT) AFFAIRS AT ALBANY, KY., AND TRAVISVILLE, TENN.

salt works, in Clay County, to fill a train of wagons with salt. The population in those counties is hostile, and I considered the first expedition favorable to masking the second, while both would procure me valuable information of the country.

The first expedition drove in the enemy’s pickets some distance this side of the bridge, broke up their camp, captured part of their baggage, consisting of 8,000 cartridges, 25,000 caps, 3 kegs of powder, 6 barrels of salt, 25 pairs of shoes, 2 wagons and teams, 3 other horses, and 3 prisoners, including 2 of their cavalry pickets. They gave them ineffectual chase severai miles through London and a few miles beyond.*

The second expedition obtained 200 barrels of salt, all that was at _ the works, and returned without notable incident. The works belong to Lincoln men, but I caused it to be receipted for, with the expectation that the Confederate Government will pay for it at the price at the works—forty cents per bushel. The scarcity of the article in the Confederate States makes the acquisition a valuable one to the Army.

I regret to have heard of irregularities among the soldiers on these expeditions in trespassing upon private property, which I will investigate and have severely punished. The population in these counties is an ignorant one, and much prejudiced against us by misrepresentation. I have made some progress in conciliating them, but I fear this conduct will tend to defeat such object.

. Inclosed find report of the death of Lieutenant Powell, killed at Barboursville, on the 19th instant. Is the vacancy to be filled by election or promotion ?

Very respectfully,