Horatio G. Wright to William S. Rosecrans, November 30, 1862

General ROSECRANS: A reliable scout, just in from Cumberland Gap, says there are there one regiment of Mississippi infantry (mostly sick) and part of battalion of Nix’s cavalry. No troops at Baptist Gap. At Woods’ and Rogers’ Gap, a few cavalry. At Big Creek, one North Carolina regiment, en- tirely raw, and said to be conscripts; also the rest of Nix’s battalion of cavalry. He could not learn the whereabouts of Kirby Smith, but the rumor was that part of the rebel army had gone to Richmond, Va.. and the rest to Chattanooga, and on the line toward Nashville, and that all troopshad been withdrawn from Morristown and Knoxville and sent to Chattanooga, Battle Creek, &c. He knew nothing of Finley’s report, in regard to which I have directed Boyle to telegraph you. Have ordered the arrest and close confinement of Major Pettigrew, and holding him subject to your orders.

H. G. WRIGHT,