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

[761] and is not sent through me, I presume it was not intended I should correct errors in it. I was under the impression I commanded in this affair, and the statement of Mr. Watterson will show Colonel Giltner was of the same opinion before the fight.

Very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

General: It is represented that there is at Rogersville a body of two or three regiments of the enemy, and it is desired to capture that forde. You will drop down the river with your brigade, having pickets at the fords, cross the north fork of Holston, and attack at Rogersville at daylight on the morning of Friday, the sixth instant. Brigadier-General W. E. Jones will proceed by the Horse Creek and Beach Creek Valley roads and attack simultaneously with you. Your march, after getting across the North Fork, should be rapid, and in the night. You can go a few miles below Kingsport, so as to reach Rogersville easily in the night of Thursday and make the attack as directed. No wagons, except for ammunition, will be taken. You can carry the battery now with you if you desire it. Have prepared enough cooked rations for the movement. After executing the movement and the attack, you will return rapidly to your present position. Concert between you and Brigadier-General Jones will be necessary. General Jones has been directed, after the attack, to return to his present position.

Very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

General: It is represented that there is at Rogersville a force of two or three regiments of the enemy, and it is desired to capture that force. You will please collect your brigade, throwing a force in the direction of Jonesboroa, and with the greater part proceed to Rogersville by a route leading up Horse Creek and down Beach Creek Valleys, across the Holston at one of the fords near Rogersville, and attack at daylight on Friday morning, the sixth instant. You will cover the roads leading to your rear by small pickets, so as to convey information both to yourself and to the infantry on the north side of the Holston, east of Kingsport. Brigadier-General Williams, commanding cavalry brigade, will move, by way of Kingsport, across the North Fork of Holston, and join in the attack at the same time as yourself. After starting directly for Rogersville, rapidity will be required both in the execution of the march and attack, and in your return to your present position. I need hardly caution you as to your left flank. The force sent towards Jonesboroa should cover it, as well as check a direct advance in that direction. You will have enough cooked rations prepared, and take nothing else, except ammunition. No wagons except for ammunition, will taken. I leave it to your discretion to take the battery of artillery now with you or not, as you may deem it best. If not carried, have it properly posted, so as to do good service, if needed, and not to be subject to capture.

Very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

General: I enclose a letter of instructions and a map for your guidance. I find the Horse Creek Valley too much to your right. You must take the most direct road, or the one you think best. Dodson's Ford is represented to me as the best. I will send to you Captain McKinney, of General Jackson's staff, who knows the country thoroughly about Rogersville. It looks as though it would rain, and we may be prevented from making the movement. Williams will be relieved to-morrow, and I shall have to send the letter of instructions to Colonel Giltner.

You had best have the battery come to this side of the Holston, and let me know where you have it.

I shall move up towards the junction of the two rivers to-morrow, on the Jonesboroa road.

It may rain and cause the river to rise after you get to Rogersville. In that event you may make your way out by Kingsport.

Reports from Kingsport and Rogersville represent the enemy camped on Big Creek, four miles above Rogersville.

Give directions so that your wagons may not get into any difficulty.

If you can do so, it would be well for you to come here to-night.

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Giltner will have orders to attack at the same