When Vaughn returned to East Tennessee it was noted that “ . . . the only Rebel troops in the area had been some roaming cavalerymen (including part of Vaughn’s brigade) under the once brillant but increaslingly unstable raider John Hunt Morgan.” [The Last Confederate General, Gordon, p. 126]
09 19 1864 [Monday]
Vaughn’s Brigade Headquarters is reported at Boon’s Creek Church, Washington County, East Tennessee. (Record of Events, Co. C, 3rd Tenn. Cav., OR Supp., pp. 496)
09 29 1864 [Thursday]
Gen. Vaughn’s Headquarters, Cavalry Forces, Department of East Tenn., is now located at Carters Station. Included in his command were the commands of Cosby (that formerly commanded by General George B. Hodge) and Giltner were also stationed in the same vicinity [near Jonesboro] Soon moving in the direction of Greenville. [Duke, Basil W., A History of Morgan’s Cavalry, Indiana University Press, Bloomington, Kraus Reprint Co., New York, 1969, p. 541, 2]
In a letter to Col. D. M. Key, apparently at Fort Defiance, Caldwell Co., N. C., Vaughn writes re Key’s August 6 letter
After Genl Morgan was killed, I was placed in command of the forces here Which is My Brigade and three Ky Brigades all numbered some 1500 men I have gathered in Straglers & they now number over 2200 & increasing every day. Genl Williams with some 1000 men was cut off from Wheeler at Strawberry Plains as they went into Middle Tenn. he followed on but never joined him he came back a few days ago & Col. Dibrell has collected some 1500 men who are or were absent at home in Middle Tenn & now recruits - they will remain in this department for some time - I moved against the Enemy last week met them near Bleu Springs but soon routed & drove them into their fortifications at Bulls Gap killing 7 & capturing 18 - we now have news that from five to eight thousand is advancing from Ky thround Pound Gap - said to have 3200 pack mules. if this is correct with the force they have above Knoxville Say 2500 Cavaly & men 1000 Infantry we will have to surrender this section of country Salt Works & Lead Mines We have in all west of Lynchburg 5000 Cavalry & some 1000 reserves - scattered over 200 miles & their forces all together - but I hope we can hold them in check if not whip them Their is fine corn all over E. Tenn & good many hogs & young cattle If we could only get it out.” (Key Papers)
‘When Gen. Vaughn assumed command of the department he found more than a score of military organizations, and yet according to the report of the Inspection General . . . there were not two thousand efficiently armed men. . . [who] stated that many of these belonged to authorized ‘scouts’ that could not be utilized in emergenicies, on account of their absence scouting.”
[Military Annals of Tennessee, Confederate, John Berrien Lindsley, ed., Broadfoot, 1995, p.142]
10 16 1864 [Sunday]
Near Bristol Our [Vaughn’s] Brigade from the Valley arrived this evening and are camped near by where Will & I are staying. . . Genl Vaughn head qtrs are at Rheatown on the R Road six miles this side of Greenville. [Wallace, 43rd Tenn.]