W. H. Carroll to John Perkins Benjamin, November 17, 1861
Chattanooga, Tenn., November 17, 1861.
Hon. J. P. BENJAMIN, Secretary of War, Richmond:
. SIR: In obedience to orders two regiments moved to this point. Af. fairs are not so bad as reported. Suppose that Col. S. A. M. Wood has reported to the War Department a full account of his expedition against Clift and the breaking up of hiscamp. Five prisoners taken with arms. To-night I send a reconnoitering force to North Chickamauga Creek, where the citizens are mostly disloyal, and a good many in open rebellion. As soon as sufficient information can be obtained a larger force will be sent to capture Clift and his troops. So soon as they return I will move to join General Zollicoffer at Jacksborough. Regret that arms suitable for service cannot be procured in Tennessee. Have left nothing undone in attempting to obtain them. So far, however, have secured
only common rifles, double-barreled shot-guns, and flint-lock muskets, very few being at all serviceable. The boring and rifling machine in the ordnance department at Memphis failed entirely to meet expectations. Have 600 rifles distributed for repairing at Murfreesborough, Pulaski, and Nashville, but can get no information as to the time it will take to finish them. Would thank you to order 2,400 guns from Savannah. Half arm me, and I will give you a good report at the earliest opportunity. Colonel Arnyâs regiment will move to join me in a few days. He needs a few companies. They are reported, but not in camp. Iinclose you a copy of oath and bond I have taken from Union prisoners taken before my arrival.
Very respectfully, ‘
` Brigadier- General.
[Inelosure.] ;
We, âââ âââ and âââ , acknowledge ourselves indebted
to the Confederate States of America, jointly and severally, in the sum
of $10,000, but to be void if âââ shall faithfully and honestly
support the Constitution and laws of the Confederate States of America,
and if he shall faithfully and honestly render true allegiance to said