Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 10.
Frank Moore, Ed.

General: I have the honor to forward, with this, the reports of Major-General R. Ransom, Jr., and his subordinate commanders, of the attack on the enemy near Rogersville, Tennessee, and the reports of Brigadier-General John Echols and subordinate commanders of the battle at Droop Mountain, in Pocahontas county, Virginia. Both of these affairs occurred on the same day, the sixth ultimo.

The affair at Rogersville was a complete success, and reflects great credit on the officers and men concerned. The affair at Droop Mountain was by no means so disastrous as at first reported. Our troops seem to have contended gallantly against vastly superior numbers, and, though driven from the field, the artillery and trains were brought off and secured; and the enemy seems to have been so severely punished as to deter him from pushing on and following up the advantage he had gained. After a long and fruitless march he retreated, having suffered heavier loss than he inflicted. I was in Tennessee when Brigadier-General Echols informed me of the movement of the enemy through Pocahontas, and I reached Dublin on the sixth ultimo, about the hour the firing commenced at Droop Mountain. I met Brigadier-General Echols' command on Salt Pond Mountain. It was promptly supplied with the necessary arms and clothing, and in four days moved back and reoccupied the points it had occupied before the engagement of the sixth ultimo.

With great respect,

Your obedient servant,

Major: I have the honor to enclose reports of Brigadier-General Jones and Colonel Giltner, relative to both attacks upon the enemy at Rogersville. General Jones has supplied copies of my letters to him, and they accompany his report. Colonel Giltner's report was sent to General Jones for endorsement. I enclose both the note of my adjutant-general to General Jones and his reply to him. Also, my letter of instructions to Colonel Giltner.

I regret that there should be any discrepancies in the two reports, but I am satisfied they are not irreconcilable. It was intended for the attacks by both brigades to be independent, but simultaneous, and, of course, when the two forces came together, the senior officer was to be in command of the whole. I did not intend to unite the brigades, as my instructions show. The result of the expedition is the best proof that it was conducted well, and I am unwilling to create or sustain bickering or jealousy, when there should be mutual good feeling. General Jones was verbally instructed to change the point of crossing the river if, upon fuller information, it should become advisable. The first report gave, as captured, eight hundred and fifty prisoners, four pieces of artillery, sixty wagons, and one thousand animals. About seven hundred and seventy-five prisoners arrived; the artillery, as at first reported, thirty-two wagons and three ambulances. The regimental colors and one garrison flag are in my hands. One regimental flag was captured, but in some way lost.

I regret that, up to this time, I have been unable to have accounted for more than about three hundred animals, all told. I much fear they have been appropriated by the men, and have been sent off and sold. There is no other reasonable conclusion.

The affair was a decided success, and I have thanked the officers and soldiers engaged in it.

Very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

Major: In accordance with enclosed instructions from headquarters, district of south-western Virginia and East Tennessee, my command rendezvoused at Bauckman's Ford on the fourth instant. On inquiry, finding if it crossed here there would be danger of alarming the enemy, I deemed it best to cross near Spurgeon's mill, and camped for the night a few miles below. Moving early next morning, the command halted at Easly's, on Horse Creek, five miles from Kingsport, and fed the horses. From this point I communicated with Colonel Giltner, near noon, my intention to execute the original plan of attack. Arriving seventeen miles from Rogers ville, on the Beach Creek road, near dark, we halted to feed and cook rations. Here it was ascertained the road leading to Smith's and Dodson's Fords ran within six miles of the camps of the enemy. It was also ascertained both fords were difficult and dangerous, and the night was dark and rainy. To reach the point assigned me by the hour designated, required me to cross the Holston before daylight By intricate mountain paths, exacting the ut most care on the part of all, we reached Long's shoals, twelve miles above Rogersville, and