James Lusein Bottles'

In viewing the "Official Records" I found the following accounts regarding the Col. and of his most courageous wife.

HDQRS. DEPT. OF WESTERN VA. AND EAST TENN.,

Abingdon, Va., October 20, 1863

Maj. C.S.A. STRINGFELLOW,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Dublin:

Direct General Echols to disregard Scammon; unite his command with Col. W. L. Jackson, and devote his entire attention to General Averell. If they can concentrate at Jackson's old camp near Huntersville, it will be the best position. It is probably too late for that Callaghan's is the next best place to concentrate. It is impossible to give minute directions for meeting the raid when it is not known at what point it aims. Echols and Jackson combined ought to whip Averell.

If the force in the Kanawha Valley is as small as McCausland represents, we have not much to fear from that quarter. Direct McCausland to be on the alert, and employ the Seventeenth Cavalry to watch the enemy on this side of New River. They may make a demonstration on Monroe by way of Pack's Ferry. If so, McCausland can, I think, move by Shanklin's Ferry in time to stop them.

Warn commanders of home guards of Averell's move, that they may be ready, but not turn out until called. Keep me fully advised. If Averell aims at the railroad, I will send part of the force from here.

Colonel Witcher had a spirited skirmish yesterday 2 miles south of Zollicoffer, with enemy's rear guard. Captured 43, and left 18 killed and wounded on the field. Lieutenant-Colonel Bottles the only one on our side killed.

Jonesborough, October 21, 1863

General Burnside :

The enemy is between the two rivers whether in force or not I am unable to determine. If it will meet your approbation, I propose sending the expedition to North Carolina, to start tomorrow evening with a sufficient part of the command to give him battle if he is there in force, and if possible drive him again beyond the Holston. If he has nothing but scouting parties between the rivers, we will stand a good chance to capture them.

We have a large number of dismounted men, and as two of the regiments are at Rogersville, I propose taking Colonel Hoskins, with the twelfth Kentucky and one hundred and third Ohio, leaving the Eighth Tennessee and dismounted men here.

A flag of truce came to our outpost this evening, asking permission to come through the lines for Mrs. Colonel Bottles, whose husband they reported dying from his wounds received in the skirmish day before yesterday. We sent for Mrs. Bottles and sent her over.

J. M. Shackelford

Brigadier General

Greenville [October 31, 1863]

Major General Burnside

Knoxville :

Following two dispatches just received :

General Wilcox :

The fifth Indiana Calvary went into Jonesborough to-day; found that three or four rebels [were] in the town. Colonel Graham, in command, says the citizens reported two or three rebel regiments over the hill on the other side of town. He relies upon the truth of the report. The main body of his regiment is at Lessburg to-night. The rebel Colonel Bottles was buried to-day at Washington College, having died from his wounds.

J. M. Shackelford

Brigadier General

An account of the Colonel's death in an entry in the war time Diary of Edward O. Guerrant, October 20, 1863.

October 19, 1863 - Skirmish at Zollicoffer [Bluff City]

No circumstantial reports filed.

With a mournful pen I record the death of Lt. Col. Bottles, who was killed