Summary:
Confederate General Samuel Jones writes Jefferson Davis regarding September,
1863, movements in western Virginia. He asks permission to withdraw Jenkins'
cavalry to Staunton.
His Excellency President DAVIS,
Richmond:
Zollicoffer,
September 16, 1863.
The indications in front of Jonesborough yesterday were such that I did not think it necessary to withdraw to the line of the Watauga and Holston, being reluctant to yield any more ground. I have tolerably reliable information that the main body of the enemy's force left Cumberland Gap on the 12th. Do not know where they went. There are indications that it is coming by Rogersville toward Blountsville. If so, I must return from Jonesborough. From two to four regiments of infantry reported occupying Cumberland Gap.
Gen. Corse telegraphed me from Bonsack's this morning that his orders from Gen. Pickett were to go to Wytheville, and if the reports of the enemy's advance were false, to return without further orders to Petersburg. Was that your intention? I had ordered him here. If he can be spared, it is important to retain him. I cannot withdraw any more troops from Lewisburg or Princeton without exposing too much of the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad. I left Jenkins' cavalry brigade on the Staunton and Parkersburg turnpike, near Monterey. Can I withdraw it with safety to Staunton?
SAM. JONES,
Maj.-Gen.
Bibliographic Information : Letter Reproduced from The War of The Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series 1, Volume 29, Serial No. 49, Pages 727-728, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
