Pollok B. Lee to Samuel Cooper, November 17, 1861

General S. CooPER, Richmond, Va.: is

SIR: The passes in the Cumberland Mountains at and near Jacks- — borough have been blockaded in such a manner as to prevent an army train of the enemy from crossing over into Tennessee. The fortifications at Cumberland Gap are now very strong. The enemy cannot now cross the Cumberland Mountains with a train anywhere between Pound Gap, in Virginia, and Jacksborough, Tenn., a distance of 120 miles. The regiments of Colonels Statham, Newman, Cummings, Battle, and First Battalion Sixteenth Alabama Regiment, with Branner’s battalion of Cavalry and Rutledge’s battery, are now moving in the direction of Monticello, Ky., by way of Wartburg and J amestown, Tenn. The general in command came rapidly to this place last night, to learn definitely the movements of the tories along the line of railroad and in this portion of the State generally. * He deems it unnecessary to remain longer here, and will leave this evening. General Carroll is at Chattanooga with two regiments half armed. He has been ordered to move such of his command to this place as is not in pursuit of Clift (a leading tory in Hamilton County) and his followers. Three expeditions are moving from different points upon Clift’s men, but it is feared they will disperse and escape to the mountains. A Pensacola regiment is at Chattanooga, and a Virginia regiment at Elizabethton, as we are informed. The present indications are that the tories are about to be overwhelmed. The arms of the Union men known to be inimical*to the Confederate Government are being seized, and in this way it is hoped that -Carrols men will soon be armed. The general proposes to take and strengthen a position between Monticello and Somerset, so as to command the Cum- d berland River and the coal region. Having command of the Cumber- E land River, supplies can be obtained from Nashville by boats. So soon L as the state of things will justify, the general would be glad to have General Carroll’s brigade to support him in a forward movement.

From the best information we now have the enemy has four regiments at London, three at Somerset, and raising a fourth; one at Crab – Orchard, one at Rockeastle, one at Camp Dick Robinson, and 200 cavalry at Barboursville. It is thought there is a regiment of cavalry at or near Somerset. Six regiments under General Nelson advanced on

E. IUE XIL] REVOLT OF THE UNIONISTS IN EAST TENN. 24%

Prestonburg, before whom Colonel Williams retired through Pound Gap, and was at Big Stone Gap the last account we had of him. P

Very respectfully,