Bristol, November 11, 1861
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| Hon. J. P. Benjamin, Secretary of War |
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I have just returned from the burned bridge. We have at the next
bridge, 10 miles beyond, about 250 men, under Captain McClellan.
They have two cannon, which they found on the cars, and which were
given to them by General Charles Clark, who stopped until this
morning with them. The camp of the enemy is at N. G. Taylor's, 5
miles distant, with about 400 men. Another camp, at Elizabethtown, 2
miles farther, is said to contain 500 men. The two may be
confounded. There is no doubt but that re-enforcements are every
moment reaching them from Watauga County, North Carolina, and
Johnson, Carter, and Washington Counties, Tennessee. These counties
can furnish about 2,000 Lincolnites, and each fresh occasion
emboldens them. They threaten to burn Watauga Bridge tonight. Should
they be successful, it will bring forward hundreds now quiet. It is
all-important they should be disposed of before they unite their
different forces, now ranging from 50 to 500. A fight occurred last
night between 22 of our scouts and the main camp of the enemy. We
captured 2, killed 9, and lost none. I have given orders for all
trains to give way to the troop trains now coming forward. They will
reach here to-morrow morning. Can I do anything for you? |
| Ro.
L. Owen |
| President, Virginia & Tennessee
Railroad |
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