W. M. H. Carroll to Samuel Cooper, November 11, 1861

General S. COOPER, Adjutant and Inspector General, Richmond, Va. :

SIR: The communication of the 26th ultimo from your office, apprising me that three regiments, under command of Brigadier-General Carroll, had been ordered to report to me, reached me only yesterday. The mail through this portion of East Tennessee is unreliable. I am under the necessity of establishing and relying upon a line of express messengers between my headquarters and Knoxville. Col. W. B. Wood, Sixteenth Alabama Regiment, is commandant at that post, and letters for me directed to Knoxville to his care will immediately reach me. General Carroll has just informed me, by letter from Memphis, that he has but one regiment armed. I telegraphed you yesterday the news communieated to me of the burning of the bridges. I learn to-day the telegraph wires are destroyed for about 15 miles, Colonel Wood also states that he has news that about 500 East Tennessee Federalists are marching on the Holston Bridge, a few miles above Knoxville, and that about 1,500 Federalists, of Hamilton County, are moving toward Lou-: don Bridge. I sent Colonel Wood a regiment, which probably reached Knoxville last night. I incline to the opinion the above-named reports are much exaggerated; but there are many indications that the Feder-

-alists in East Tennessee believe a large force from Kentucky are to invade us immediately and simultaneously at different points, and are intending, by concert of action in threatening the destruction of the railroad, to distract and derange our plans of defense.

Very respectful Eu E F. K. ZOLLICOFFER, Brigadier-General.

MEMPHIS, ‘TENN., November 12, 1861. J. P. BENJAMIN, Secretary of War, Richmond, Va.: o

SIR: Your telegram of the 11th instant (ordering me to advance to the support of General Zollicoffer) has just reached me. I am deeply mortified that I have been unable to move my command at an earlier day, but the want of transportation, and the unexpected failure to obtain my arms, have rendered any movement of my forces both useless and

unsafe. Knowing the urgent necessity which has and yet exists for –

prompt and vigorous action in East Tennessee and Northern Kentucky, I have used every exertion to place my brigade in such a condition as to act effectively in the field. I took measures some weeks prior to my. appointment to secure arms sufficient to arm three regiments. “These consisted of such guns as were furnished by the recruits themselves, together with others of a similar kind, which I had procured by various means throughout the country. Some two months since I distributed 1,600 rifles among the different armories in the State, viz, Memphis, Nashville, Pulaski, and Columbia, where I had supposed they would be rapidly repaired and fitted for use. When I received your written

orders, forwarded me through Col. H. C. Young, I dispatched an officer –

to each one of the places mentioned, with instructions to forward all the guns that had been repaired to Knoxville, Tenn., to which point I had intended to advance with all my force then ready for service, but, much to my regret and surprise, I then learned butlittle progress had been made in the work of repairing. I was assured, however, by the army officers in command at these places that everything would be ready in a very short time. My movements were therefore delayed from day to day, in the hope that the guns would be completed and my command thoroughly and perfectly armed. In this expectation I have up to the present time been sadly disappointed. The guns deposited in the armory at this place would have been completed but for the breaking of the armory machinery, whieh was only repaired a day or two since. The work is now being pushed forward as rapidly as possible. So soon as I ascertained that my arms could not be obtained for some time to come, I set about securing such guns as would answer in the sudden emergency brought about by the recent unfriendly demonstrations madein East Tennessee. With these (shot-guns, country rifles, and old muskets) I armed Colonel Looney’s regiment, and moved it yesterday morning in the direction of General Zollicoffer’s position. Another regiment (Colonel White’s) was to-day armed in a similar manner, and wil move to-morrow in the same direction. The remainder of my brigade will be brought into the field as soon as I can possibly arm them in any way whatever.

I deem it proper to make this explanation of the causes which haye .

so long kept me idle, in order that you may properly understand the difficulties under which I have labored. I shall continue to act as promptly as circumstances will permit. In the mean time I will keep you constantly advised of my future movements. I have apprised General Zollicoffer that my command is approaching to his support. When I shall have reached him, I have but little doubt that we will be able to quell the insurrectionary spirit which I learn is springing up in the eastern portion of our State and to hold in check any force which may be advancing from Western Virginia or Northern Kentucky.

Very respectfully,