es through the
mountains from one valley to another, these valleys losing themselves
every few miles in the main valley of the Holston river.

The brigade of which the Seventh formed a part was camped in the main
Holston Valley about three miles above Rogersville.

The hospital, commissary and quartermaster's department, with a provost
guard, occupied the town.

Great caution was used by Col. Garrard in guarding these approaches, and
for this purpose one company of the Tennesseeans was kept in Carter
Valley, five miles from the brigade camp. This Valley being the first one
north of the Holston, they sent scouting parties daily, over into Stanley
Valley and Hickory Cave, which are further north.

On the night of the 5th of November, scouts reported the enemy advancing
in force down the Holston Valley from Kingsport.

Lieut. Murphy was ordered to take two companies of the Seventh, on the
night of the 6th, which was very dark and the rain pouring down in
torrents, and make a scout up the Holston Valley.

After marching about six miles he met the enemy's advance and at once
engaged them, and notified the Colonel of their approach.

The enemy finding their advance resisted, threw a force across the
mountain into Carter Valley, which was estimated at 2000 strong, and upon
reaching the valley they dashed upon this Tennessee company capturing and
scattering them.

This Valley now being cleared, they continued down it about two miles to a
road crossing into Holston Valley, which road struck the Valley about the
center of our brigade camp.

Here their force was divided, one half going across the mountain, secreted
themselves under the cover of the night in a cedar grove, near the road
leading down the main valley to Rogersville.

The other part of their command continued down the valley to where it
comes into the Holston, one-half mile above Rogersville, where they again
divided their force, leaving a part here and sending the remainder around
a spur of the mountain, striking the valley one-half mile below the town.

They closed in on the place, capturing and scattering everything that was
there.

This part of their programme being successfully accomplished, they moved
up the valley on to the camp. In the meanwhile their main force was
passing slowly down the valley, compelling the small force in their front
to retire, and giving time for the force below to accomplish the task
assigned them, and attack the camp from