Subject: Saunders.S.P.1863.Nelson-Whitley.Civil.War



 Civil War 1863 July 4 1863
Nelson-Whitley County KyArchives News

Defiance Democrat, Defiance, OH - 
 Cincinnati, June 25.  -- The following dispatch has been received by Gen. 
Burnside from the expedition sent into East Tennessee. 
   Boston, Ky., June 23.  -- I arrived here with my command at eleven o'clock 
this morning.  I struck the railroad near Lenoire -- destroyed the road up to 
Knoxville -- made demonstration against Knoxville, so as to have the troops 
drawn from above -- destroyed the tracks and started for Strawberry Plains -- 
burned State Creek bridge, 325 feet long.  I captured thirty-five pieces of 
artillery, some two hundred boxes of artillery ammunition, over five hundred 
prisoners, and one thousand stand of arms, destroyed, and a large amount of 
saltpeter manufactory and other stores.
   My command is much fatigued.  We have had but two nights sleep since 
leaving Williamsburg.  The force in East Tennessee was larger than I had 
supposed.  I did not attack London bridge for reasons that I will explain.  At 
Mossey Creek I determined to return.  In the mountains I had very great 
difficulties that were entirely unexpected.  I found the gap through which I 
intended to return strongly guarded with artillery and infantry and blockaded 
with fallen timber.  A force was also following in our rear.  I determined to 
cross at Smith's Gap which I did.  I will report more fully as soon as 
possible.
Very respect'y,  your obd't serv't
S.P. Saunders
Colonel Commanding.
 

Submitted by: Mary Lou Hudson
http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00005.html#0001143



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