Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-05-03
Major General Thomas

Major General Momas'
have the honor to report the following rs the
result Of our operations since my last despatch from
Boone, North Carolina. From Boone 1t became ne
cessary to cross the Blue Ridge into the iadkin
river bottom in order TO obtain supplies for men
aud horses there; but we were detained three days
by froshet From thence we struck for Christian
burg On the route detached Col. Miller with
portion of his brigade, to Wytheville and Major
Wagner, with portion of the 10th Pennsylvania, and
Palmers brigade, TO Big Lick, These three points
were struck almost simultaneously.
Col, Palmer attacked and after some fighting cap
tured Wytheville, destroying the depot of supplies
at that point also at Mairs Meadow, Major Wag-
ner after striking the railroad at Big Lick, pushed
on towards Lynchburg, destroying on his way inn
porant bridges over the Big and Little Otter, and
got to within four miles of Lynchburg, with the
main body efIectnally destroying the road between
New River and Big Lick, and then struck for
Greensboro, on the North Carolina railroad Whom
we arrived near Salem, n c., ! detailed Palmors
brigade to destroy the bridges between Danville and
Greensboro, and between Greensboro and ladkin
River and all the large depots of supplies along the
road.
This duty was performed with considerable fight,
ing, resulting in the capture of 400 prisoners, and
TO my entire satisfaction.
With the other two brigades, Browns and Mil
lers, and the artillery, under command of Lieut..
Reagan we pushed for Salisbury, where we found
about 1000 troops under Maj. Gen. VIM. Gardner,
and fourteen pieces of artillery under Col Te and
Lieut. Gen. Pemberton-the whole formed behind
Grants creek, about two miles and half from Sal
isbury As soon as proper disposition could be
made, / ordered general charge along the entire
line and the result the capture of fourteen pieces
of artillery and 1854 prisoners including flity-throo
officers.
The following is partial Inst of the public prop
erty captured north Of Salisbbrg and destroyed by
us; Four large cotton factories and 1000 bales Of
cotton; four large magazines, containing 10000
stand of arms, 1000 900 rounds small-arms ammu-
milton, 900 rounds field artillery ammunition,
and 1000 pounds powder; $4,000 bushels corn,
10000 bushels wheat, 100000 pounds cured
bacon, 100000 suits gray uniform clothing 100000
army blankets, 10000 pounds harness leather, and
10000 pounds saltpetre; also n very large amount
of sugar salt rice and other stores and medical sup
plies valued by the rebel Medical Director at $780,
600 in gold in addition to the arsenal at Salisbury
The military works were being fitted up, and were
filed with machinery sent from Raleigh and Rich
nond, all Of which was destroyed.
All the artillery and ll64 prisoners are now with
Us. The remainder Of the force was chased through
and several miles beyond the town, but scattered and
escaped into the woods We remained at Salisbury
two days, during which time we destroyed fifteen
miles of railroad track and bridges, toward Chariot
te, and then moved to this point.
From here we shall move TO the south side Of the
Catawba, and be in position to operate against Char
lotte ana Columbia, or upon the flank of an army
moving South.
The depots along the route traversed by our par
tics have furnished us with abundance. The num-
Der OF nOlsrs o"a ~ ..- - -
the road have no means Of estimating | can say
we are much better mounted than when we left
Knoxville. We have n very large surplus OF ami
mails and a sufficient number besides to haul off all
of our captives, mount a portion Of the prisoners
and about thousand contrabands and this after
crossing Stone mouptains once and the Blue Ridge
three times, and march made by headquarters since
the goth of last month, of five hundred miles, and
many more by portions of the command The
rapdty of our movements in almost every instance
caused our advance guard to herald our approach,
and make the surprise complete. Gen. Gillem, the
immediate commander of the division, who is en-
titled to full share of whatever is due, will make
the detailed report of the expedition.
The only casualties in my staff was Captain Nor
row, A. A. g., who, while galantly assisting Major
Keogh my aid-de-camp, while leading the llth
Kentucky cavalry in the fight at Salisbury was, on
his twentieth birthday, severely but not dangerously
wounded in the left knee These two young officers,
as was also Major Bascom, A. A. G., my chief of
staff, Captain Chamberlain, my chief Quartermas-
ter, and Captain Allen, A. A. G., / wish to bring
to your especial attention, and through you to the
Genera-in-chef
[Sgned1 GEO. SroNEMAN, Maj Gen.
GEO. H. THOMAS, Major General