| Headquarters Department of East Tennessee |
| Knoxville |
| July 1, 1862 |
| |
| Lieut. Col. W. L. Eakin, Strawberry Plains
{East Tennessee & Virginia RR} |
| Capt. William H. Thomas, Strawberry Plains |
| Capt. W. C. Kain, Loudon {East
Tennessee & Georgia RR} |
| |
| Information has just been received from
Wallace's Cross-Roads to the effect that a plan is being secretly
formed to burn the bridges at Loudon and Strawberry Plains. It is
said Federal soldiers dressed in citizens' clothes have been seen
concerting with Union tories, who act as spies and guides and are
busy in collecting their friends about those bridges to burn them.
The major-general commanding directs that you will be doubly
vigilant in your guard over the bridge and watchful of everything
that transpires in the vicinity and use every effort to detect the
persons engaged in this plot. Should you succeed you will promptly
arrest them. |
| Very respectfully, your obedient servant, |
| H. L. Clay |
| Assistant Adjutant-General |