THE
WAR OF THE REBELLION
A COMPILATION W THE
RECORDS
OF THE
UNION AND CONFEDERATE ARMIES.
,_^
9k ''
PUBLISHED UNDKR THK DIRECTION OF
The Hon. DANIEL S. IiAMONT, Secretary of War, BY
MAJ. GEORGE W. DAVIS, U. S. ARMY, MR. LESLIE J. PERRY, CIVILIAN EXPERT, MR. JOSEPH W. KIRKLEY, CIVILIAN EXPERT,
Board of Publication.
SERIES I— VOLUME XLIX— IN TWO PARTS. PART II-CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.
WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 1897.
V
II.-VOL XLIX
CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY, SOUTHWESTERN VIRGINIA, TENNESSEE, NORTHERN AND CENTRAL GEORGIA, MIS SISSIPPI, ALABAMA, AND WEST FLORIDA, FROM MARCH 16 TO JUNE 30, 1865.*
UHSTO^S" CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.
[MARCH 16, 1865. — For Grant to Sherman, referring to operations of forces under General Thomas, see Vol. XLVH, Part II, p. 859.]
KNOXVILLE, March 16, 1865 — 9 p. m.
(Received 2.10 a. in. 19th.) Major-General HALLECK:
Major-General Canby has ordered, under date of March 4, through Major-General Dana, nearly all the effective cavalry force in West Ten nessee to report to General Griersou, at New Orleans. Under orders from the War Department, General Canby is authorized to give orders for the movement of troops in West Tennessee and see to and protect the navigation of the Mississippi River. It can protect itself, as it overflowed its banks from Memphis to New Orleans and is still rising. For months no boats have been interrupted, and at present no enemy can approach the river. This cavalry cannot be used in Mississippi or in swamps of Gulf Department till the water subsides, and can be used in West Tennessee to advantage. I would request that the troops in West Tennessee be placed entirely under my command and General Canby's order countermanded.
GEO. H. THOMAS,
Major- General.
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH ARMY CORPS,
Huntsville, Ala., March 16, 1865. General ELLIOTT:
GENERAL: The Second Division of this corps will remain at Hunts- ville until ordered by Major-General Thomas to proceed to Kiioxville. The transportation of this division will be shipped to said place as here inafter mentioned. In the absence of the major-general commanding, Brigadier-General Elliott, commanding Second Division, Fourth Army Corps, will have charge of shipping the transportation of the corps and
* For Correspondence, etc., from January 1 to March 15, 1865, see Part I. For Corre spondence, etc., relating to operations in Kentucky, Southwestern Virginia, Tennes see, Mississippi, Northern Alabama, and Northern Georgia from January 1 to 23, 1865, see Vol. XLV, Part II.
3
4 KY., S. W. VA., TENN., N. & C. GA., MISS., ALA., & W. FLA.
will take command and control of all troops and property of the corps left at this place. All of the artillery and the transportation of the corps, including ordnance train, supply train, hospitals, animals, <&<.;., will be shipped to Knoxville on railroad cars in the following-mentioned order, to wit : First, the Artillery Brigade with its batteries, transporta tion, &c. ; second, the transportation of the First Division; third, the transportation of the Third Division; fourth, ambulance corps with its ambulances, hospital wagons, animals, &c. ; fifth, the pontoon train with all of its transportation, animals, &c. ; sixth, the transportation of the Second Division. Shipment will be made in the order above mentioned as far as railroad cars can be furnished. Officers having charge of trains to be shipped will report to General Elliott for orders and instructions. By order of Major-General Stanley:
J. S. FULLEKTON, Assistant Adjutant- General and Chief of Staff.
HEADQUARTERS SIXTH DIVISION, CAVALRY CORPS,
MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
PulasM, Tenn.7 March 16 , 1865.
Brig. Gen. L. THOMAS,
Adjutant- General, U. S. Army:
GENERAL: 1 would most respectfully make the following recom mendations for brevet promotions for the following-named officers of my staff: Capt. E. T. Wells, assistant adjutant-general of volunteers, to be major by brevet for gallant and meritorious service July 20, 18(>4, on which day he was severely wounded, and to be lieutenant-colonel by brevet December 15, 1864, for the battle of Nashville. First Lieut. Louis T. Morris, Nineteenth Infantry, aide-de-camp, to be major by brevet for battle of Nashville. No two officers in the service are more deserving, and no two of like grade can be found who have performed more valuable services. Throughout the Atlanta campaign these offi cers were with me, and 1 feel the Government owes them this recog nition of their services. They are brave, energetic, active officers, who have earned promotion by their gallantry and industry. Nothing is more grateful to a soldier than a knowledge that his humble services are recognized and appreciated.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
K. W. JOHNSON,
Brigadier- General.
SPECIAL ORDERS, ) HDQRS. DISTRICT OF EAST TENNESSEE,
No. 59. ] Knoxville, Tenn., March 16, 186;~>.
*******
111. The Eleventh Michigan Volunteer Cavalry will move from here to-morrow arid encamp to-morrow night at Strawberry Plains and there await orders from the major-general commanding. The quartermaster's department will furnish one wagon to the above regiment for the trans portation of forage from the depot to camp. By command of Major-General Stoneman :
G. M. BASCOM, Major and Assistant Adjutant- General.
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 5
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF KENTUCKY,
Louisville, Ky., March 16 ', 1865. ADJUTANT-GENERAL IT. S. ARMY,
War Department :
SIR: The towns of Jefferson ville arid New Albany, Ind., are opposite the city of Louisville and are, in fact, part of it. These towns formed part of the District of Kentucky, but are supposed not to be in the Department of Kentucky. For many reasons, I suggest that they be placed under my control. There are several hospitals and other public establishments there that can be much more easily and advantageously managed from here than from the headquarters of the Northern Depart ment at Cincinnati. The proper police of the city of Louisville and the river makes such an arrangement necessary. Very respectfully.
JOHN M. PALMER, Major- General, Commanding.
GENERAL ORDERS, ) HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF KENTUCKY,
No. 12. ) Louisville, Ky., March 16, 1865.
The following-named officers are hereby announced upon the staff of the major-general commanding: Capt. E. B. Harlan, U. S. Volun teers, assistant adjutant -gen era! ; Capt. L. B. Folsom, One hundred and first Illinois Infantry, provost-marshal; Capt. Henry Howland, assist ant quartermaster, chief quartermaster; Lieut. L. S. Babbitt, ordnance corps, chief of ordnance. They will be obeyed and respected accord ingly.
By command of Major-General Palmer:
J. P. WATSON, Captain and Acting Assistant Adjutant- General.
SPECIAL ORDERS, ) HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF KENTUCKY,
No. 18. 5 Louisville, Ky., March 16, 1865.
*******
5. Bvt. Brig. Gen. James F. Wade, U. S. Volunteers, is hereby assigned as post commander at Coviugton, Ky., and will proceed at once to that place and relieve Col. A. Duncan, Seventy-second U. S. Colored Infantry. Nothing in this order will be construed as affecting General Wade's duties as commander of the camp of rendezvous estab lished at Coviugton by General Orders, No. 11, from these headquar ters. Colonel Duncan, on being relieved, will assume command of his regiment.
*******
By command of Major-General Palmer:
J. P. WATSON, Captain and Acting Assistant Adjutant- General.
HDQRS. ARMY AND DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
Fort Gaines, Ala., March 16, 1865. Rear-Admiral H. K. THATCHER,
Commanding West Gulf Blockading Squadron, MoMle Bay : ADMIRAL : I propose to move a column of 9,000 men to morrow morn ing up the coast, crossing or turning Bon Secours Creek at the most
6 KY., S. W. VA., TENN., N. & C. GA., MISS., ALA., & W. FLA.
favorable points, crossing the East Branch of Fish Eiver as low down as practicable, and striking the North Branch near Dannelly's Mills, where the crossing will be made. Another column of 10,000 men will move by water through Bon Secours and Fish Eiver Bays, debarking at a point about one mile below Dannelly's Mills. In this movement we shall need the co-operation of the navy, both for convoy and for trans portation, to the extent that you may be able to assist with your light- draft vessels, and by a demonstration up the bay with the heavier vessels. This movement will probably be made on Sunday morning, the troops embarking at this place on Saturday night, so as to be in the neighborhood of the entrance of Fish Eiver Bay early on Sunday morning. I design to make a demonstration on the west side of the bay by landing a brigade of about 2,000 men on Cedar Point on Saturday, but this will be limited to a demonstration that will have the effect of drawing oif the attention of the enemy from the movement on the east side of the bay. Will you do me the favor to give us such aid as you can from your squadron, and I shall be pleased to receive any sugges tions that you may think proper to make in relation to the co-operation of the two arms.
Yery respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,
E. E. S. CANBY, Major- General, Commanding.
U. S. STEAMER EICHMOND,
Mobile Bay, March 16, 1865. Maj. Gen. EDWARD E. S. CANBY,
Commanding District of Florida and West Mississippi : GENERAL: Your communication of this date is received. I shall be most happy and ready to give you all the assistance in my power. Six tin-clads are all the light draft vessels at my disposal. They will be ready at any moment. The admiral will probably be here this afternoon or to-morrow. I shall dispatch a tug to New Orleans this afternoon. Yery respectfully, your obedient servant,
THEO. P. GEEENE, Captain, Commanding Naval Forces, Mobile Bay.
SPECIAL ORDERS, | WAR DEPT., ADJT. GENERAL'S OFFICE,
No. 128. j Washington, March 16, 1865.
*******
74. By direction of the President, Capt. John C. Palfrey, IT. S. Engineers, is hereby assigned to duty as assistant inspector-general of the Thirteenth Army Corps, with rank and pay of lieutenant-colonel, under the act of July 17, 1862, to date from March 15, 1805.
*******
91. By direction of the President, Maj. John Hough, assistant adju tant-general, U. S. Yolunteers, is hereby assigned to duty with the Sixteenth Army Corps as assistant adjutant-general, with the rank and pay of lieutenant-colonel, under act of July 17, 1862, to date from March 15, 1865.
92. By direction of the President, Maj. J. J. Lyon, Twenty-first Missouri Yeteran Yolunteers, is hereby assigned to duty with the Six-
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 7
teenth Army Corps as assistant inspector-general, with the rank and pay of lieutenant-colonel, under act of July 17, 1862, to date from March 15, 1865.
*******
By order of the Secretary of War:
E, I). TOWNSEND.
Assistant Adjutant- General.
GENERAL ) HEADQUARTERS ARMY AND DIVISION FIELD ORDERS, > OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
No. 5. ) March 16, 1865.
Maj. Gen. P. J. Osterhaus, U. S. Volunteers, is assigned to duty as chief of staff of the major-general commanding. Eeports and returns of the different staff departments will be made through the chief of staff, and any orders or instructions communicated by him will be respected and obeyed. By order of Maj. Gen. E. E. S. Canby:
0. T. CHEISTENSEN, Lieutenant- Colonel and Assistant Adjutant- General.
SPECIAL ) HEADQUARTERS ARMY AND DIVISION FIELD ORDERS, > OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
No. 0. ) March 16, 1865.
Engineer officers and acting engineers of divisions and detached brigades will actively collect all information within their reach relating to the military features of the country over which this army is to operate, and report the same without delay (illustrated by the neces sary pen or pencil sketches) to the chief engineers of their respective army corps, who will note the contents of such reports and immediately transmit them to the chief engineer of the military division, with such information of like character as they can collect from all sources. By order of Maj. Gen. E. E. S. Canby:
0. T. CHEISTENSEN, Lieutenant- Colonel and Assistant Adjutant- General.
HDQRS. ARMY AND DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
Fort Gaines, Ala., March 16, 1865. Maj. Gen. F. STEELE,
Barrancas, Fla. :
A column of 9,000 men from the Thirteenth Corps will move to-mor row morning from Mobile Point, turning Bon Secours and Fish Eiver or Weeks7 Bay, and striking the North Branch of Fish Eiver about six miles above its entrance into Weeks' Bay. A column of 10,000 men from the Sixteenth Corps will move on Sunday, the 19th instant, by water through Bon Secours and Fish Eiver Bays, and debark at a point six miles up the North Branch of Fish Eiver. The remainder of these corps now here will follow immediately to the point of concen tration. The Thirteenth Corps will probably move up the east bank of Fish Eiver, and the Sixteenth between that river and Mobile Bay,
8 KY., S. W. VA., TENN., N. & C. GA., MISS., ALA., & W. FLA.
uniting at Deep Hole, about four miles below D'Olive's Creek, which will be made the depot for our supplies and material. Your own com mand will move from Peusacola on Sunday, preceded by the cavalry under Lucas. The object of your movement has already been indicated to you verbally, and I will only repeat briefly that the main object of your movement will be that of supporting the cavalry while engaged in the destruction of the Mobile and Montgomery road as far up as Greenville, or as far as it can safely go, and when this is accomplished and the cavalry has rejoined you, joining the main body on Mobile Bay. I do not wish to trammel you by any special instructions, but leave the route and distance to which you move entirely to your own judgment, as you have at Pensacola more reliable information as to the character of the country, the condition of the roads, and the force to be opposed than any that we can have here. Your command must be embarrassed with as little transportation as possible, five days7 rations being carried by the men and five days7 in wagons. Diminish the regimental trains as much below the limits of the general order as you may find neces sary, the object being to take nothing that is not indispensable to efficiency. Take no more of the pontoon equipage than you consider absolutely indispensable. Until the troops designated for the garrison at Barrancas arrive, it will be necessary to leave one or two regiments of General Hawkins7 division at Barrancas for garrison purposes. The effective force of the First Florida and Second Maine Cavalry will be attached to your command, and you will leave in place of them one of the regiments of Lucas7 brigade, preferably the one last arrived, as its horses will not have recovered from the effects of the voyage. The Florida cavalry know the country thoroughly and will be particularly valuable to you as scouts. Put yourself as soon as possible in commu nication with the force on Mobile Bay and keep me advised as fully as you can of your movements and prospects.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. K. S. CANBY, Major- General, Commanding.
SPECIAL ORDERS, } HEADQUARTERS U. S. FORCES
AT MOBILE POINT, ALA.,
No. 21 J. ) Fort Morgan, March 16, 1865.
Col. H. M. Day, Ninety- first Illinois Volunteers, is hereby assigned to the command of the Second Brigade, Third Division, Thirteenth Army Corps.
By order of Brig. Gen. W. P. Benton:
J. D. KOUSE, Captain and Acting Assistant Adjutant- General.
SPECIAL FIELD ORDERS, ) HDQRS. THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
No. 1. ) Fort Gaines, Ala., March 16, 1865.
1. The Third Division and. the First Brigade, Second Division, will march under command of Brigadier-General Beuton at daylight to-mor row, the 17th instant, to Dannelly7s Mills, on Fish Kiver, following as nearly as possible the Fort Morgan and Blakely telegraph road, there to await orders. The command will move with ten days7 field rations, four days7 in haversacks and six days7 in wagons. Fifty rounds of
CORRESPONDENCE , ETC. UNION. 9
ammunition per man will be taken ou the persons of the men. The ammunition train of Colonel Bertram's brigade only will move with the command. Five days' forage will be taken.
* * * # * . * *
By order of Major-General Granger:
F. W. EMERY, Captain, and Assistant Adjutant- General.
SPECIAL FIELD ORDERS, > HDQRS. 3D Div., 13TH ARMY CORPS,
No. 1. ) Fort Morgan, Ala., March 1(1, 18<>:j.
1. The Third Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, will inarch at 5 a. in. to-morrow, March 17, 1805. Four days' field rations must be taken in haversacks and fifty rounds of ammunition upon the persons of the men. All ammunition in excess of this which regimental commanders have already drawn will be at once turned in to Lieut. J. M. Shields, acting ordnance [officer], Third Division.
2. The order of march Avill be as follows: Third Brigade, Colonel Krez commanding, in advance 5 Twenty-first New York Battery; Second Brigade, Colonel Day commanding; Twenty- sixth New York Battery; First Brigade, Colonel Grier commanding.
3. All regimental and brigade teams will carry five days' forage for their animals.
By order of Brig. Gen. William P. Benton:
FRANK ADAMS, Captain and Assistant Adjutant- General.
CAVALRY BUREAU, OFFICE OF SPECIAL INSPECTOR,
MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Louisville , Ky., March 17, 1865. Maj. Gen. GEORGE H. THOMAS,
Commanding, &c. :
GENERAL: I this morning addressed to you at Kiioxville the follow ing telegram:
AYent to Nashville 14th to see you. Hatch, by order General Wilson, has turned over all horses and most of his arms to First Division. AVill you order Hatch's division to Lexington, Ky.? General Palmer earnestly requests this. I cannot mount Hobson's command, and it will take near two months to mount and ami Hatch. In the meantime if Hatch was at Lexington with some regiments mounted immediately he could be of great service to General Palmer. This course is sug gested by the Bureau, and I was directed to see you on the subject. Will the general answer by telegram?
It having been impracticable within the limits of a telegram to explain myself fully I address you further upon the subject. I also inclose a copy of telegram this morning received from Gen era! Wilson, from which you will observe that Hatch's division is now entirely dis mounted and has but 2,000 serviceable arms in the command.* It is impossible to mount and equip them where they are without a very considerable delay, and until this is accomplished they can hardly render much service. With the command at Lexington, Ky., the regi ments as soon as armed and mounted can be made such temporary use of by General Palmer as occasion may demand, and upon the complete mount and equipment of the whole division may be disposed as desired. General Hobson's command is composed principally of twelve-months' troops, whose term of service is about half out, and it seems to me
* See Wilson to Chambliss, Part I, p. 909.
10 KY., S. W. VA., TENN., N. &, C. GA., MISS., ALA., & W. FLA.
that it would be very bad policy to rearm and remount these troops as cavalry, and in this opinion the Bureau fully concurs. The service able horses, arms, and equipments now in the hands of this command might be turned over to General Hatch's division, and they be armed and equipped as infantry arid be rendered serviceable at once. At present they are comparatively worthless. Should this meet your approval I will go to Lexington upon the arrival there of Hatch's divis ion and attend personally to the matter, leaving Captain Goodenow here to forward horses and ordnance. In this event I would like to have an order from you authorizing the disposition I have suggested of the horses and arms of Hobson's division.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. P. CIIAMBLISS, Maj., 4th U. S. Cav., Special Inspector of Cav., Mil. Div. of the Miss.
U. S. STEAMER REINDEER, Off Nashville, Tenn., March 17, ISM. Maj. Gen. GEORGE H. THOMAS, U. S. Army,
Comdg. Department of the Cumberland, Nashville, Tenn. : GENERAL: I have the honor to inform you that in compliance with your wishes and in obedience to the orders of Lieutenant-Commander Le Roy Fitch, commanding Tenth District Mississippi Squadron, I have been up the Cumberland Eiver with this vessel and U. S. steamer "Vic tory as far as Wolf Creek Shoals, a point about forty miles below Camp Burnside (Big South Fork). On these shoals I found five feet scant water and thought it imprudent to go farther on a rapidly falling river. I made landings at all important points and at many farm-houses and impressed the people with your desires and intentions in regard to themselves as forcibly as possible. 1 incline to the opinion that the information will be rapidly carried into the interior and ultimately yield good results. I saw no guerrillas, and consequently had no trouble. I was told, however, and I think truthfully, that on Sunday last, 12th instant, a force of about 100 rebels had crossed the Cumberland from Celina at the mouth of Obey's River, with what intentions and under whose command I could not ascertain. This intelligence I communi cated to commanding officer at Carthage and to the camp of wood chop pers at Dixon's Springs, about thirty miles lower on the river. A good deal of apprehension exists on the north side of the Cumberland, caused by the movement of bodies of guerrillas and their rumored purpose of concentrating to attack the camp above alluded to. The force which crossed at Celina may have been en route for the rendezvous.
I have the honor to be, general, your obedient servant,
H. A. GLASSFORD, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, Commanding.
CHICKASAW, ALA., March 17, 1865 — 7.30 a. m. Maj. Gen. GEORGE H. THOMAS,
Nashville, Tenn.:
My command will be all across this afternoon; all arrangements will be finished to-morrow, and if the'roads permit will march next day. I can hear no reliable news of military movements from the Gulf or elsewhere.
J. H. WILSON,
Brevet Maj or -General.
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 11
HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. Div. OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Chickasaw, Ala., March 17, 1865. Brig. Gen. E. HATCH,
Commanding Fifth Division, Cavalry Corps:
GENERAL: During the absence of the First, Second, and Fourth Divisions you will remain with your division in its present camp, using all proper exertions to prepare it for the field with the utmost possible- dispatch. In order to secure horses, arms, and equipments you are authorized to communicate with the supply departments, Major Price, Major Chambliss, Captain Green, or any other persons connected with the cavalry service, to send officers and regiments in turn to Louisville or Edgefield, and if necessary to go in person to either of these places. You must lose no opportunity to impress upon the Cavalry Bureau, Ordnance Department, and General Thomas the present destitute con dition of your command. An officer should be sent at once to look after the horses which are being recuperated, with orders to secure enough of them for your command, and to send forward without delay all that are at present fit for service. Captain Carling, the chief quarter master, will proceed at once to Nashville and Louisville and use his utmost exertions to have horses furnished you, and to perfect the arrange ments for hurrying them forward. I shall write to Captain Green, spe cial inspector of the corps, to get Spencer carbines, Blakely cartridge boxes, and Stewart attachments for you if the country can possibly sup; ply them. The wagon trains of the corps will be left under your care. They will be parked at Waterloo or Eastport, as you may think best, and held at all times in readiness to march to any point designated by General Thomas or myself with supplies of ammunition and rations. It is now supposed that as soon as you are mounted and equipped ready for service that you will move toward Central or Eastern Alabama for the purpose of joining the corps. Until you receive other orders from proper authority you will in no way allow your command to concern itself in the cotton or other produce trade, Major-General Thomas hav ing submitted the entire matter of trade on the Tennessee Eiver to such regulations, under the orders of the President, Treasury and War Departments, as the naval authorities may choose to adopt. You are authorized and directed, however, to take cognizance of all trade con traband of war which may come under your observation. The opera tions of the Treasury agents for confiscable or abandoned property are as a matter of course legitimate, and you will give all properly accred ited agents of this class such assistance, not prejudicial to the interests of the service, as existing orders may require. No rations will be issued to the people of the country except to such destitute refugees as may come into your lines for the purpose of going North. The Government of the United States makes no provision for the families of the soldiers who are fighting its battles, and therefore cannot be expected to aid those of men in arms against it. Communicate frequently to General Thomas all information you may obtain of my movements, and endeavor to keep up communication with me as long as possible, sending me particularly all reliable intelligence you may obtain of Canby's move ments and those of the enemy.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. H. WILSON,
Brevet Major- General.
12 KY., S. W. VA., TENN., N. & C. GA., MISS., ALA., & W. FLA.
I) ALTON, March 17, 1365.
Maj. S. B. MOE,
Assistant Adjutant- General :
A report has reached me that just as the train was leaving Tunnel Hill a demand for the surrender of the position was made by some rebel force. Inasmuch as the telegraph wires are intact I send by return train 150 men, rather upon principle that they will be required.
H. M. JUT) AH, Brigadier- General, Commanding.
SPECIAL ORDERS, ^ HDQRS. DISTRICT OF TENNESSEE,
No. 66. ) Nashville, Tenn., March 77, 18(>5.
*******
III. The One hundred and forty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry having been assigned to this command will proceed by rail to Hunts- ville and report to Col. 0. C. Doolittle for duty in District of Northern Alabama.
IV. The Sixty- first Illinois Volunteer Infantry will proceed by rail to Franklin and relieve the Seventy-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, now on duty at that place and block-houses in the vicinity. Upon being relieved the Seventy-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry will proceed by rail to Murfreesborough and report to Brig. Gen. H. P. Van Gleve. The horses of officers and regimental transportation of each regiment with small escort will march.
*******
By command of Major-General Rousseau:
B. H. POLK, Major and Assistant Adjutant- General.
SPECIAL ORDERS, ) HDQRS. DISTRICT OF EAST TENNESSEE,
No. 60. ) KnoxmUe, Tenn., March 17, 18(ti.
*******
III. In accordance with instructions from headquarters Department of the Cumberland, the cavalry forces now serving in this District of East Tennessee will constitute a division to be denominated, until fur ther orders, Cavalry Division, District of East Tennessee, and com manded by Brig. Gen. A. C. Gillem. The First Brigade, Col. William J. Palmer's, will consist of the Fifteenth Pennsylvania, the Twelfth Ohio, and Tenth Michigan Cavalry Regiments. The Second Brigade, Colonel and Brevet Brigadier- General Brown's, will consist of the Eleventh Michigan and Eleventh and Twelfth Kentucky Cavalry Regiments. The Third Brigade, Col. J. K. Miller's, will consist of the Eighth, Ninth, and Thirteenth Regiments Tennessee Cavalry.
IV. In accordance with instructions from headquarters Department of the Cumberland, the infantry and artillery now serving in this district will constitute a division to be denominated Fourth Division, Depart ment of the Cumberland, to consist of two brigades and to be com manded by Brig. Gen. Davis Tillson. The First Brigade, Col. C. G. Haw- ley's, will consist of First Regiment Ohio Volunteer Heavy Artillery, First U. S. Colored Heavy Artillery, Second North Carolina Mounted Infantry, Third North Carolina Mounted Infantry, Fourth Tennessee
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 13
Volunteer Infantry, Thomas' battery Indiana Light Artillery, detach ment engineer battalion, and baud Second Brigade, Fourth Division, Twenty -third Army Corps. The Second Brigade, Col. H. G. Gibson's, will consist of Second Ohio Volunteer Heavy Artillery, Thirty-fourth Kentucky Volunteer Infantry, First Tennessee Volunteer Infantry, Second Tennessee Volunteer Infantry, Twenty-first Battery Ohio Light Artillery, Twenty-second Battery Ohio Light Artillery, Eleventh Bat tery Michigan Light Artillery,* Henshaw's battery Illinois Light Artil lery, Colvin's battery Illinois Light Artillery, Battery B, First Tennessee Light Artillery, Battery M, First Michigan. Light Artillery, and Sev enth Tennessee Mounted Infantry.
V. Division and brigade commanders will forthwith complete and organize their staffs in accordance with existing orders.
VI. Captain Patterson's battery Tennessee Light Artillery is not included in the infantry division, but will constitute a part of the cavalry division.
VII. The First and Second Regiments Tennessee Volunteer Infantry will proceed at once to Cumberland Gap and relieve the Second Regi- rnent North Carolina Mounted Infantry, now at that place. The Sec ond Regiment North Carolina Mounted Infantry upon being relieved will move at once to Strawberry Plains, Teun., and report to Brig. Gen. Davis Tillson for further orders.
# # * # * * *
By command of Major-General Stoneinan :
G. M. BASCOM, Major and Assistant Adjutant- General.
GENERAL ORDERS, ) HDQRS. CAV. Div., DIST. or EAST TENN.,
No. 1. i Knoxville, Tenn., March 17, 1865.
In compliance with instructions from headquarters District of East Tennessee, of this date, the undersigned hereby assumes command of this division. The following are announced as staff officers at division headquarters: Capt. W. J. Patterson, acting assistant adjutant-gen eral; Lieut. Col. I.C. Smith, acting assistant inspector-general; Lieut. O. C. French, commissary of subsistence; Lieut. D. M. Nelson, acting aide-de-camp; Surg. A. L, Carrick, medical director; Maj. S. Hainbright, provost-marshal.
ALVAN C. GILLEM, Brigadier- General, Commanding Cavalry Division.
NAV*L HEADQUARTERS,
New Orleans, March 17, 1865. Major-General CANBY,
Mobile Bay:
I shall be with you with all speed, your communication having just been received, 11 p. m. The fleet will co-operate as you desire. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. K. THATCHER, Acting Rear-Admiral, Commanding West Gulf Squadron.
* Battery L, First Michigan Light Artillery.
14 KY., S. W. VA., TENN.j N. & C. GA., MISS., ALA., & W. FLA.
GENERAL ^ HEADQUARTEES ARMY AND DIVISION FIELD ORDERS, > OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
No. 7. ) March 17, 1865.
During the present operations, or until further orders, the Districts of South Alabama and West Florida will be distinct, and the com manders of each will report direct to the major-general commanding. The records of the District of South Alabama and West Florida will be retained at the headquarters of the District of South Alabama. Brig*. Gen. T. Kilby Smith is assigned to the command of the District of South Alabama, and will relieve Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger when the corps of the latter marches. By order of Maj. Gen. E. E. S. Canby:
0. T. CHEISTENSEN, Lieutenant- Colonel and Assistant Adjutant- Genera I.
HEADQUARTERS THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Fort Gaines, Ala., March 17, 1865. Brigadier-General YEATCH,
Commanding First Division:
GENERAL: The major-general commanding directs that you move your command as soon as the quartermaster's department can furnish you transportation across the bay to Navy Cove. The command will move by brigades, right in front. No laud transportation except such as is allowed to division and brigade headquarters and to regiments will be taken until further orders.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
F. W. EMEEY, Captain and Assistant Adjutant- General.
GENERAL ORDERS, ^ HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., FIRST Div.,
THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
No. 9. ) Dauphin Island, March 17, 1865.
The troops of this command will embark immediately on board trans ports in the following order : Forty-seventh Indiana Veteran Volunteers on board the steamer Mustang; Twenty-first Iowa Volunteers on board the steamer Brown; Ninety-ninth Illinois Volunteers on board the steamer Groesbeck; Twenty-niiith Wisconsin Volunteers on board the steamer Groesbeck. By order of Brig. Gen. James E. Slack :
M. D. MASSIE, Captain and Acting Assistant Adjutant- General.
CIRCULAR, > HDQRS. IST BRIG., 2o Div., 13TH ARMY CORPS, No- 12- ) In the Field, March 17, 1865.
The troops of this command will move to-morrow morning, the 18th instant, at 5.30 a. m. precisely. The following will be the order of march, viz: Special scouts; pioneer corps; Twentieth Wisconsin Infan try, advance guard; Nineteenth Iowa Volunteers 5 Battery F, First
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 15
Missouri Artillery; Twenty- third Iowa ID fan try; Ninety-fourth Illinois Infantry; ambulance corps; ordnance train; regimental trains; pro vost guard. By order of Col. Henry Bertram :
A. J. ROCKWELL, Lieutenant and Acting Assistant Adjutant- General.
SPECIAL FIELD ORDERS, ) HDQRS. 3o Div., 13TH ARMY CORPS,
No. 2. } In the Field. March 17, 1865.
The Third Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, will move at C a. m. to-morrow in the following order: First, Second Brigade; second, Twenty-sixth New York Battery ; third, First Brigade ; fourth, Twenty- first New York Battery; Fifth, Third Brigade; sixth, division train in same order as the troops; seventh, subsistence train.
Reveille will be sounded at 5 a. m. The commanding officer First Brigade, will detail a field officer as general officer of the day to report to the general commanding at 6 a. m. Brigade commanders will detail officers of the day for their respective brigades, who will report to the general officer of the day. The commanding officer of the Second Bri gade will detail one company as advance guard, and the commanding officer of the Third Brigade will make a similar detail as rear guard. The division will move at the hour named without further orders.
By command of Brig. Gen. W. P. Ben ton :
JOHN D. ROUSE, Captain and Acting Assistant Adjutant- General.
HDQRS. ARMY AND DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
Fort Gaines, Ala., March 17, 1865. Maj. Gen. A. J. SMITH,
Commanding Sixteenth Army Corps:
The major-general commanding directs that you designate a brigade of the Third Division of the Sixteenth Corps (about 2,000 men) and a section of artillery to be in readiness to occupy Cedar Point, Mobile Bay, to-morrow, the 18th instant. The command will move without laud transportation, except six ambulances, and the men will carry five days' cooked rations in their haversacks. This occupation will be sim ply a demonstration to divert the attention of the rebels from the move ments east of the bay, and the brigade will rejoin its division as soon as that object is accomplished. The commander will be instructed to make as much display of his force as he can without neglecting any precautions for security, and by the construction of roads, bridges, £c., convey the impression that his command is only the advance guard of a much larger force. Mon Louis River is fordable at several points, and it will be necessary that the troops should be on their guard against any attempts against them by any force of the enemy; but Cedar Point, in the event of any trouble of this kind, can be held against any force. This contingency should be looked to. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. T. CHRISTENSEN, Lieutenant- Colonel and Assistant Adjutant- General.
16 KY., S. W. VA., TENN., N. & C. GA., MISS., ALA., & W. FLA.
GENERAL ORDERS, \ HDQRS. SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
No. 8. j Dauphin Island, Ala-., March 17, i,sY>5.
Each division commander will see that his command is provided with 300 spades or shovels, 300 axes, and 90 picks for intrenching purposes. One wagon to each brigade will be allowed for the transportation of these tools. Two wagons to each brigade will also be allowed for the transportation of additional ammunition. Division commanders will cause the cartridge-boxes of the troops to be filled at once, and an additional supply of forty boxes to each brigade drawn. All men serving with their regiments must be armed, and returns will be imme diately sent in for the necessary arms and accouterments. By command of Maj. Gen. A. J. Smith:
J. HOUGH, Major and Assistant Adjutant- General.
SPECIAL ORDERS, ) HDQRS. SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
No. 21. ) Dauphin Island, Ala., March 17, 1865.
*******
II. The organization of the Second Division, Sixteenth Army Corps, announced in Special Orders, No. 60, current series, from headquarters Military Division of West Mississippi, is hereby modified as follows:
First Brigade, Col. J. I. Rinaker, One hundred and twenty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, commanding: Twenty-first Missouri Vol unteer Infantry, Eighty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, One hun dred and nineteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, One hundred and twenty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
Second Brigade, Col. J. I. Gilbert, Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry Volunteers, commanding: Sixth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Tenth Kansas Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Twenty- seventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Thirty-second Iowa Volunteer Infantry, One hundred and seventeenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
Third Brigade, Col. C. L. Harris, Eleventh Wisconsin Veteran Vol unteer Infantry, commanding: Eleventh Wisconsin Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Thirty-fourth New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, Fifty-second Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Fifty-eighth Illinois Veteran Volunteer Infantry, One hundred and seventy-eighth New York Volunteer Infantry. *******
By command of Maj. Gen. A. J. Smith:
J. HOUGH, Major and Assistant Adjutant- General.
GENERAL ORDERS, ^ HDQRS. SECOND BRIG., THIRD Div.,
SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
No. 1. ) Dauphin Island, Ala., March 17, 1865.
In compliance with Special Orders, No. 19, dated headquarters Six teenth Army Corps, March 15, 1865, the undersigned hereby assumes command of the Second Brigade. Third Division, Sixteenth Army Corps. Capt. A. Stephen Stewart, Company A, Ninety-fifth Illinois In fantry, is announced as acting assistant quartermaster, and First Lieut. John M. Read, adjutant Fourteenth Wisconsin Veteran Infantry, as acting assistant adjutant-general.
L. M. WARD, Colonel Fourteenth Wisconsin Veteran Infantry, Comdg. Brigade.
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. — UNION. 1 7
HDQRS. U. S. FORCES OPERATING FROM PENSACOLA BAY,
Barrancas , Fla., March 17 ', 1865. Brig. Gen. ALEXANDER ASBOTH,
Commanding District of West Florida :
GENERAL: The major-general commanding directs me to say that in pursuance of instructions received trom Major-General Canby, all the cavalry force at this place will report to these headquarters and consti tute a part of the forces operating from Pensacola Bay. The last regi ment of General Lucas' command that arrives will report to you and remain at this post. You will please direct the commanding officers of these brigades to report immediately at these headquarters for further instructions.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN F. LACEY, Assistant Adjutant- Genera J.
SPECIAL ORDERS, ) HDQRS. DISTRICT OF WEST FLORIDA,
No. 64. \ Barrancas, March 17, 1865.
*####*#
VI. Pursuant to orders from headquarters Army and Military Divis ion of West Mississippi all the cavalry force within this district will constitute a part of the force operating Irom Peusacola Bay, under command of Major-General Steele. The commanding officers of cav alry (brigaded and unbrigaded) regiments will report immediately for further instructions at headquarters U. S. forces operating from Pensa cola Bay.
VII. The Third Brigade, First Division, having been discontinued by the transfer of troops comprising it to other commands pursuant to orders from headquarters Army and Military Division of West Missis sippi, Col. L. L. Zulavskyis hereby relieved from the command of that brigade and will at once resume command of his regiment.
By command of Brigadier-General Asboth:
J. WM. HAIGHT, JR., First Lieutenant and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
CHATTANOOGA, March 18, 1865 — 9.30 p. m.
(Received L'Oth.) Lieut. Gen. U. S. GRANT,
City Point :
Have reached this place on my return to Nashville from Knoxville. General Stoneman starts on Monday. He has been delayed by high water. General Wilson will also start on Monday, lie has been delayed by the same cause. Stanley's command will be at Bull's Gap on Tuesday, and in good order. I have directed General Stoneman to pass out of Tennessee by the head of the New River Valley, then move down that valley to Christiansburg and destroy the railroad beyond Christian sburg, about ten or fifteen miles, where there are numerous trestles and small bridges, but not to destroy the bridge over New River west of Christiansburg. Should he ascertain that there is not a large force of the enemy in Southwest Virginia, and should he ascertain on reaching Christiansburg that General Sheridan has captured Lynch- burg, as is now reported in the papers, he will not destroy any of the 2 R R — VOL XLIX, pr ii
18 KY., S. W. VA., TENN., N & C. GA., MISS., ALA., & W. FLA.
East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad, but to move in the direction of Danville and threaten that place, should it be garrisoned by a large force; but, if it be weakly garrisoned, to attack it and destroy as much of the railroad as he can ; then withdraw toward Tennessee and observe the movements of the enemy, reporting to me at once all his operations.
GEO. H. THOMAS, Major- General, U. 8. Army.
HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. Div. OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Cliickasaw, Ala., March 18, 1865.
Maj. WILLIAM P. CHAMBLISS,
Special Inspector, Cavalry Corps, Louisville, Ky. : MAJOR: Your communication in regard to the collection, inspection, and recuperation of broken-down horses has just been received. I am gratified to know that our views coincided so exactly. The only special reason I had for desiring the Edgefield stables filled up was that horses would not be so easily diverted from that point to other commands as from Louisville. Officers of Hatch's division seem to think that Gen eral Thomas would not prefer other commands if they were not so far away. I shall be satisfied, however, with whatever you determine upon after a careful consideration of the whole case. I have authorized General Hatch to send an officer to confer with you in regard to the horse question generally, so that the general can make some calcula tions as to when he will be able to take the field. Captain Calling, chief quartermaster of the corps, will also see you soon. I don't wish you to thiuk me impertinent in this matter, or to imagine that I have not perfect confidence in the wisdom of your action in regard to your remounts; but the zeal, patriotism, and soldierly conduct of Hatch and his entire command cannot be too highly commended. The division is certainly entitled to a thorough remount, Spencer carbines, Blakely boxes, Stewart attachments, and good equipments. Yon need not have any fear that they will not use them efficiently. I inclose you a copy of a general order commending them for recent sacrifices. Citi zens may imagine those sacrifices trivial, but you and I know they are more important than blood. I sent also through General Thomas a special report showing the present condition of the division. From it you will perceive that at present it is not in condition to do any duty whatever, except remain stationary. The carbines of which you speak I would like to have forwarded without delay for the Second Iowa, Sixth and Ninth Illinois. After that the number of requisitions already sent you will do as a guide. Hatch has now about 5,000 men here and a large number of recruits in depot in Illinois and Iowa. He will probably have 7,000 men in sixty days. If my plans for the ensuing campaign work out well, I shall want Hatch to join me with the corps trains somewhere between the Black Warrior and Coosa Eivers. I would, therefore, if for no other reason, like to have him ready to move at as early a date as possible. Captain Green has not reported yet, and I suppose will not be able to do so before I march. The three divisions mounted, First, Second, and Fourth, are just in as fine a con dition as it is possible for cavalry to be in. I have reviewed Long and Upton, and I am sure they cannot be excelled in our army or anywhere else. With Hatch in as good fix we cannot be whipped by rebel cavalry.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. H. WILSON,
Brevet Major- General.
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 19
[luclosuro.]
GENERAL ORDERS, ^ HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS,
> MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI, No. 24. ) Chickasaw, Ala., March 18, 1865.
The brevet major-general commandingtakes great pleasure in announc ing to the Cavalry Corps that the officers and men of the Second Iowa, Sixth and Ninth Illinois, through Brig. Gen. Edward Hatch, command ing Fifth Division, and Col. D. E. Coon, Second Brigade, have, with a spirit of generosity excelled only by their gallantry, voluntarily turned over to the First Division a large number of Spencer carbines, taking in exchange an equal number of inferior arms of various patterns. This, too, after they had been compelled to turn over their horses to the Seventh Division and other detachments. Such an exhibition of zeal for the interest of the public service, of self-denial, and of friendly regard for their brothers-in-arms is unparalleled, and entitles the brave men who have so cheerfully made it to the thanks and admiration of every soldier in the corps. Troops who have distinguished themselves by so many acts of gallantry as adorn the history of the Fifth Division could have made no greater sacrifice. They are entitled to the best remount, equipments, and arms the country can furnish, and every effort will be made to secure these in time to enable them to partici pate in the events of the ensuing campaign. This order will be read to each regiment of the Fifth Division.
By command of Brevet Major-General Wilson :
E. B. BEAUMONT, Major and Assistant Adjutant- General.
SPECIAL ORDERS, ) HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS,
> MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
No. 53. ) Chickasaw, Ala., March 18, 1865.
I. Capt. E. B. Carling, chief quartermaster, Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the Mississippi, will proceed to Nashville, Tenn., to super intend the forwarding of horses for the remount of the Fifth Cavalry Division and the settlement of claims consequent upon the impress ment of horses in Kentucky and Tennessee, by order of the Secretary of War. Captain Carling will be stationed at Nashville, Tenn., but will, when necessary, proceed to Louisville, Ky., upon business con nected with the quartermaster's department of the Cavalry Corps.
*##*#*#
By command of Brevet Major-General Wilson:
E. B. BEAUMONT, Major and Assistant Adjutant- General.
CHATTANOOGA, March 18, 1865. General HATCH,
Eastport :
I have received General Wilson's telegram with respect to your division. I will take measures to have you remounted and refitted as soon as possible. In the meantime, however, I want you to hold the position you at present occupy.
GEO. H. THOMAS, Major-General, 17. S. Army.
20 KY., 8. W. VA., TENN., K. & C. GA., MISS., ALA., & W. FLA.
HIKERS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. Div. OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Chickasaw, Ala., March 18, 1865. Brig. Gen. E. HATCH,
Commanding Fifth Division, Cavalry Corps:
GENERAL: Forward to tlie First, Second, and Fourth Divisions any mounted stragglers that remain behind after the corps shall march, as long as communication is safe. All men who shall report to you coming from furlough, hospital, &c., after the corps has moved are to be for warded to their respective divisions mounted and equipped whenever communication is open. These men will be collected by divisions, under officers of the same divisions, should any report. By command of Brevet Major- General Wilson:
E. B. BEAUMONT, Major and Assistant Adjutant- General.
CITY POINT, VA., March 18, 1865. Brigadier- General DYER,
Chief of Ordnance, Washington:
There must be a large amount of ordnance and ordnance stores in the Departments of North Carolina and the South which cannot be of use in either of these departments, and much of which might answer to fill requisitions from other parts of the country. It probably will be advisable to send siege stores from Charleston to Mobile Bay with out waiting requisitions.
II. S. GRANT,
Lieutenant- General.
ORDNANCE OFFICE, WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, March 18, 1865. Lieut. Gen. U. S. GRANT,
City Point, Va.:
Telegram received. Senior ordnance officer, Department of the South, directed to consult with his commanding general and send in charge of an officer as complete a siege train as can be spared from that department to Mobile Bay. Quartermaster notified.
A. B. DYER, Brigadier- General and Chief of Ordnance.
KNOXVILLE, March 18, 1865 — 8.10 p. m. Major-General THOMAS :
Have received information, which I consider reliable, through parties just down from the vicinity of Abingdon, Ya., to the effect that but one range, consisting of fourteen kettles, is in use at the salt-works. The railroad bridges destroyed last winter are not yet repaired. There is, however, one engine and five flat-cars and two box-cars which escaped us, and was cut off in turn, now running over that part of the road between Glade Spring and Jonesborough, and which we did not destroy. Between Glade Spring and New River the trains, I feel satisfied, are not running. The Confederate authorities are now engaged in conscripting the negroes, and send one in twenty to
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 21
Kichmond, and a general consternation and exodus is taking place in Southwestern Virginia. This information may be useful and I should like it to be known, in order that any false impression in regard to the state of things in that region may be corrected. Colonel Palmer and his regiment have just arrived. One brigade of cavalry and one bri gade of infantry are at or on their way to Mossy Creek, the bridge over which was completed to-day. The river is now about as high as it was during the rise two weeks since, but everything is standing.
GEOKGE STONEMAN,
Major-General.
GENERAL ORDERS, ) HDQRS. DISTRICT OF EAST TENNESSEE,
No. 17. ] Knoxville, Tenn., March 7<s', J<sy;.7.
The Fourth Division, Twenty-third Army Corps, having been broken up by orders from department headquarters, the following assignments of district staff officers are hereby made and announced : Capt. E. B. Whitman, assistant quartermaster, chief supervising quartermaster, District of East Tennessee; Capt. C. B. Devereux, commissary of sub sistence, chief supervising commissary of subsistence, District of East Tennessee, and in charge of subsistence depot at Knoxville; Capt. H. S. Chamberlain, assistant quartermaster, in charge of trains and trans portation for troops in the field, and quartermaster at the commanding general's headquarters in the Held; Capt. Eichard Burns, Company L, .Second Ohio Heavy Artillery, is hereby detailed as acting provost- marshal-general of East Tennessee, in the absence of Colonel Trow- bridge, who is temporarily relieved from that duty and ordered to take command of his regiment. No passes will be required from loyal citi zens inside of our lines, which for the present are as follows : The Little Pigeon Biver, French Broad, to its intersection with the Holston; thence to Strawberry Plains, Blain's Cross-Koads, and Cumberland Gap. This order is not to change the standing regulations in regard to passes on the railroad.
By command of Major-General Stoneman:
G. M. BASCOM, Major and Assistant Adjutant- General.
GENERAL ORDERS, ^ HEADQUARTERS FOURTH DIVISION,
DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,
No. 1. ) Knoxville, Tenn., March 18, 1865.
In compliance with Special Orders, No. f>, from headquarters District of East Tennessee, I hereby assume command of the Fourth Division, Department of the Cumberland. The following officers are announced as members of the division staff, and will be obeyed and respected accordingly: Capt. W. W. Deane, assistant adjutant- general; Capt. \V. F. Houston, Second Ohio Heavy Artillery, acting assistant inspector- general; Capt. John H. Colvin, Colvin's battery, chief of artillery; Lieut. Thomas Brown, Eightieth Indiana Infantry, acting assistant quartermaster; Lieut. M. B. Patterson, One hundred and eighteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, acting commissary of subsistence; Lieut. W. A. Perry, Second Maine Battery, aide-de-camp; Lieut. E. W. S. Neff, First Ohio Heavy Artillery, aide-de-camp; Lieut. A. Pearson, Henshaw's battery, ordnance officer; Lieut. Theodore Mallaby, U. S. Army, signal officer; Lieut. Thomas D. Woods, Second [Ohio] Heavy
22 KY., S. W. VA., TENN., N. & C. GA., MISS., ALA., & W. FLA.
Artillery, provost-marshal. All returns and official communications will be made to Capt. W. W. Deane, assistant adjutant-general, Knox- ville, Tenn.
DAVIS TILLSON, Brigadier -General of Volunteer*.
NASHVILLE, TENN., March 18, 1865. Maj. Gen. J. M. PALMER,
Louisville, Ky.:
Please relieve General Watkins from whatever duty he may be per forming, and order him to rejoin his division at Pulaski, Tenn.
SOUTHARD HOFFMAN,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
LOUISVILLE, March 18, 1865. Maj. S. HOFFMAN,
Assistant A djutant- General :
Is the order for "Watkins imperative? I can make him useful here.
JNO. M. PALMER,
Major- General.
NASHVILLE, TENN., March 18, 18o5. Maj. Gen. J. M. PALMER,
Louisville, Ky. : The order for Watkins comes from Major-General Thomas.
SOUTHARD HOFFMAN,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
CHATTANOOGA, March 18, 1865. Maj. W. P. CHAMBLISS,
Inspector of Cavalry, Louisville, Ky. :
Hatch's division cannot be spared from Eastport, as it saves sending infantry to that place. General Thomas will be in Nashville on Mon day evening next and will probably remain until Wednesday.
WM. D. WHIPPLB,
Brigadier- General.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF KENTUCKY,
Louisville, Ky., March 18, 1865. Captain SHANNON,
Elizabethtown, Ky. : (Care Hon. Sam. B. Thomas.)
Troops moved this morning from Cloverport toward Hardinsburg and south of that point for a special purpose. Cavalry will move from Hardinsburg to co-operate. You will go by Dawsonsville to Big Spring to prevent the escape of guerrillas east. Put yourself in communica tion with the other troops feeling north and west.
JOHN M. PALMER, Major- General, Commanding.
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 23
ORDERS.] HDQRS. ARMY AND Div. OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
Fort Gaines, Ala., March 18, 1865.
The following movements are ordered to commence to-morrow, tlie 19th instant:
I. The First and Third Divisions of the Thirteenth Army Corps will continue their march toward East Branch of Fish River, cross that stream as far below as practicable, and proceed to a suitable point in the vicinity and opposite Dannelly's Mills, on the North Fork of Fish River. The men will carry five days7 rations in their haversacks, and rations for five more days will follow in the respective division trains. Bridges, corduroys, &c., which may be found, or which it will be necessary to build, must be kept, in order to prevent all delays, in perfect repair, and the commanding officers of the respective columns will therefore leave for that purpose, at any point where it appears advisable, a detachment of pioneers and guards until their troops and trains have passed.
II. The Sixteenth Army Corps will be ready for embarkation, and the divisions, with the exception of the detachments at Cedar Point, will be transferred as fast as transports can be had to Fish River and land at the west side of the North Branch of that stream, near Dannelly's Mills, where the whole army is to be concentrated. The men will carry five days7 rations with them. Besides the forty rounds of ammunition in the cartridge-boxes, sixty rounds more in boxes will be taken aboard the transports and securely stored at the place of debarkation until transportation can be procured. On arriving at the indicated point the corps will take a strong defensive position, its right resting on the river, and cover its front with light breast- works. After a care ful reconnaissance, and, if possible, after consulting with the com manding general of the Thirteenth Corps, General Smith will order a bridge to be built at a point practicable and suitable for the passage of troops and trains. The bridge will be protected by tetes-de-pont. The respective staff officers will consult with the chief engineer of the army with regard to the bridge, in order to transfer the pontoon and other materials which may be needed for its construction to the selected point.
By order of Maj. Gen. E. R. S. Canby:
P. JOS. OSTERHAUS, Major- General and Chief of Staff.
HEADQUARTERS U. S. FORCES,
Pensacola Bay, March 18, 1865. Lieut. Col. C. T. CHRISTENSEN,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Military Division of West Mississippi: COLONEL : Pursuant to instructions from the general commanding, my command will commence the movement to-morrow a. m. General Lucas and about 400 of his cavalry have not arrived. I have ordered Colonel Spurling Avith about 800 cavalry to break the railroad between Greenville and Pollard, and I am confident that he will succeed. A part of his troops will land at Milton to-morrow morning for the pur pose of covering the movements of the rest, who will land atCreigler's Mills, about four miles below, on the east shore of the bay. The whole will move to Andalusia through a wooded country free of rebels, and keeping far enough east and south to avoid large streams. On reach ing that place, if there are no rebels in force on the railroad, lie will divide into two parties, one going to Greenville and the other to Ever-
24 KY., S. W. VA., TENN., N. & C. GA., MISS., ALA., & W. FLA.
green. Having captured trains and destroyed the roads sufficiently between those points, they will unite at a given point and proceed toward Pollard, doing such damage to the road as may be necessary to render it useless to the rebels. There is at present only one boat here to transport the cavalry to Creigler's Mills, and it may occupy two or three days, but I think will be no disadvantage, as the rest of my com mand will move toward Pollard and attract the attention of the rebels from the movements of Spurling. I shall make use of the balance of the cavalry to threaten different points and bewilder the enemy as much as possible. It is possible that Sparling may b'e so hard pressed that he cannot join me near Pollard, and be obliged to return by a cir cuitous route, but he will endeavor to communicate with me. It is probable that the enemy is looking out for some such movement as this, but Spurling will have excellent guides, and he is well acquainted with the country himself. I will communicate with headquarters while on the march by means of spies, if possible, and will write you again from Pensaeola.
Very respectfully, colonel, your obedient servant,
F. STEELE, Major -General.
p. s. — The Escambia is navigable to Pollard for boats of light draft, and the pilot of the Matamoras is well acquainted with the river.
F. S.
HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF SIGNAL OFFICER,
New Orleans, La., March 18, 18(15. Lieut. Col. 0. T. CIIRISTENSEN,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Military Division of West Mississippi: COLONEL: I have the honor to submit to your consideration the following report of information received at this office this 18th day of March, 1865: Capt. J. S. Curtiss reports from Yicksburg, Miss., under date of the 13th instant, that the latest information of the Confederate forces in Mississippi is that Forrest, with 6,000 cavalry, was on his way to Tupelo, Miss. Ross was at Benton, Miss., with about 400 men, partly dismounted. Wood was at Raymond with a brigade of cavalry, about (500 strong. Starke's brigade, about 600 strong, was between Jackson and Meridian. The above-mentioned forces were all ordered to Tupelo to meet a raid supposed to be coming from Memphis into Central Mis sissippi. Information received to-day from the Red River country is simply confirmatory of previous reports that everything is quiet.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, vour obedient servant,
A. M. JACKSON,
Major, Tenth U. 8. Colored Heavy Artillery.
(In absence of Capt. S. M. Eaton, chief signal officer, Military Divis ion of West Mississippi.)
GENERAL FIELD ORDERS, ) HDQRS. 13TH ARMY CORPS,
No. 2. } March 18, 1865. •
The following-named officers are on duty at these headquarters in the
positions named, and will be obeyed and respected accordingly: Capt.
F. W. Emery, U. S. Volunteers, assistant adjutant general; Capt. John
C. Palfrey, Corps of Engineers, assistant inspector- general and chief
25
engineer; Capt. A. N. Shipley, U. 8. Army, chief quartermaster; Capt. S. A. Cobb, U. S. Volunteers, chief commissary of subsistence; Capt. George W. Fox, Twenty-sixth New York Battery, chief of artillery; •(•apt. J. J. Williamson, One hundred and twenty-eighth New York Volunteers, chief of ordnance; Capt. James B. Ludwick, Signal Corps, V. S. Army, chief signal officer; Surg. C. B. White, U. S. Volunteers, medical director; Maj. W. W. Todd, Seventy-sixth Illinois Volunteers, acting assistant inspector-general; Capt. Samuel Lappin, U. S. Volun teers, assistant quartermaster; Capt. JJ. G. Palfrey, Ninety-eighth U. S. Colored Infantry, acting engineer; Capt. IX P. Ballard, Twenty- third Iowa Volunteers, chief of ambulance corps; Acting Staff Surg. L. F. Humeston, U. S. Army, acting medical inspector. Aides de camp — Capt. William L. Avery, U. S. Volunteers; First Lieut. C. S. Sargent, Second Louisiana Volunteers.
GORDON Git ANGER,
Major- General, Commanding.
HDQRS. SECOND DIVISION, THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
It('iis((cola1 Fla., March 18, I8<i~>. Capt. JOHN F. LACEY,
Assistant Adjutant- General, Barranca*, Fla.:
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to state that if two more companies of the Second Maine Cavalry can be spared from Barrancas it will, in my opinion, be a benefit to the service to have them here. It is necessary to have a cavalry picket on the main road leading out from here and men are required daily as escorts to Barrancas and back for teams, &c. The escort that went down to Barrancas yesterday for ambulances has not returned and it is necessary to send another this morning to that place. I desired to-day to go out to recoimoiter the roads, but have not a sufficient escort.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. C. ANDREWS, Brigadier- General, Commanding.
SPECIAL ORDERS, ) HDQRS. SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
No. 22. ) .Dauphin Island, Ala., March IS, 18t;~>.
* * # * -* * *
III. The Twenty-sixth Indiana Infantry will immediately join its command in the field near Mobile. The quartermaster's department will furnish transportation.
IV. The Thirty- third Illinois Infantry will immediately rejoin its division in the field near Mobile, leaving one company with the trans portation of the division as a guard. The quartermaster's department will furnish transportation.
V. The Twenty-first Missouri Veteran Volunteer Infantry will imme diately rejoin its division in the field near Mobile, leaving one company as a guard with the transportation of the division. The quarter master's department will furnish transportation.
* # * * * *- . *
By command of Maj. Gen. A. J. Smith:
J. HOUGH,
Major and Assistant Adjutant- General.
26 KY., S. W. VA., TENN., N. & C. GA., MISS., ALA., & W. FLA.
HEADQUARTERS SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Dauphin Island, Ala., March 18, 1865. Capt. J. W. LOWELL,
Chief of Artillery, Sixteenth Army Corps :
CAPTAIN: The major-general commanding directs that your com mand be in readiness to embark at an early hour to-morrow, taking no ammunition except the extra caissons. The command should have five days' rations and forage, the forage to be stored at place of debark ation until transportation can be procured. Take one wagon if possible for forage.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. HOUGH, Major and Assistant Adjutant- Genera I.
HEADQUARTERS SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Dauphin Island, Ala., March 18, 1865. Brig. Gen. J. McARTHUR,
Commanding First Division, Sixteenth Army Corps: The major-general commanding directs that you have your command in readiness to embark on transports at an early hour to-morrow, taking five days' rations, forty rounds of cartridges per man in cartridge- boxes, and sixty rounds per man more will be placed on board the transports and securely stored at the place of debarkation until trans portation can be procured. You will take one ambulance to each regi ment and the two wagons for ammunition if possible, and a wagon for hospital purposes for the division, the pioneer wagon and the tool wagon for each brigade. Everything else to be left here in charge of men unfit for field service, if sufficient can be found to properly protect the same from being plundered.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. HOUGH, Major and Assistant Adjutant- General.
(Same to Brig. Gen. K. Garrard, commanding Second Division, Sixteenth Army Corps, and Brig. Gen. E. A. Carr, commanding Third Division, Sixteenth Army Corps.)
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF WEST FLORIDA,
Barrancas, March 18, 1865. Lieut. Col. C. T. CHRISTENSEN,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Army and Division of West Mississippi: COLONEL : I have the honor to report that in obedience to orders received I have turned over to Major-General Steele's command the Eighty-second and Eighty-sixth U. S. Colored Infantry Regiments and all the mounted men of the Second Maine and First Florida Cavalry. My command is thus reduced to the Twenty -fifth U. S. Colored Infantry garrisoning the forts, and to the dismounted men of the Second Maine and First Florida Cavalry, by far not sufficient to provide properly for my long-extended picket-line and the daily details for fatigue duty with the quartermaster's and commissary departments, which at present are unusually heavy. The line of fortifications extending from Fort Bar rancas to the beach and to the redoubt is left unfinished; the com-
-UNION. 27
pleted line from the redoubt to the bayou unguarded and the mounted guns without men to serve them. The within order* of Major-General Steele states that the last regiment of General Lucas' command arriv ing will report to me and remain at this post. I would respectfully request that the commanding officer of that regiment be ordered accordingly, as I have no mounted men left in my command. Very respectfully, colonel, your obedient servant,
ASBOTH, Brigadier- General, Commanding.
CIRCULAR, ) HDQRS. FIRST Div., IT. S. COLORED TROOPS, No. 12. 5 Barrancas, Fla., March 18, 1865.
The troops of this command will march to-morrow morning at 5.30. Reveille will be at 4 o'clock. The order of march by brigades will be Third, Second, First. For this day's march the march will be by brigade, each brigade being followed by its own transportation. Cap tain Purnell, assistant quartermaster, will furnish extra teams to lighten the loads for this day's march, as follows : Three wagons to each regiment; one wagon to each brigade headquarters. The command will proceed to Pensacola via the beach road. In crossing the bayou near Gun-boat Point the men will take off their shoes and whatever other clothing may be necessary to keep them dry. The troops will ford by company front. A staff officer from these headquarters will designate the locality of the fording. Great caution will be observed that the men do not allow tneir ammunition to become wet. A messen ger will be sent to Captain Purnell in the morning to get the teams when wanted. By order of Brig. Gen. J. P. Hawkins :
SAML. B. FEEGUSON, Assistant Adjutant- General.
GENERAL ORDERS, ) HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., FIRST Div.,
U. S. COLORED TROOPS,
No. 3. ) Barrancas, Fla., March 18, 1865.
First Lieut. George Mahaffey, Twenty-fifth U. S. Colored Troops, having reported to these headquarters in compliance with Special Orders, No. 4, is hereby assigned to duty as acting assistant adjutant- general, and will be obeyed and respected accordingly. By order of Brig. Gen. William A. Pile:
J. W. WELLS, Lieutenant and Aidc-de-Camp.
HDQRS. OAV. FORCES, MIL. Div. OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
New Orleans, La., March 18, 1865. Brig. Gen. JOSEPH F. KNIPE,
Commanding Cavalry Division:
GENERAL : I herewith send you an order for the embarkation of your command for Fort Gaines. The general commanding directs me to say
* See Lacey to Asboth, 17th, p. 17.
28 KY., S. W. VA., TENN., N. & C. GA., MTSS., ALA., & W. FLA.
that two steamers — the Oalhoun and Corinthian — each with capacity for about ninety horses, Avill be at Chalmette to-morrow afternoon at 2 o'clock. You will hold your command in readiness to load the vessels as they are furnished without unnecessary delay. The general further directs that you embark Colonel Johnson's brigade first, in order to give Colonel Karge as much time as possible to concentrate and refit his command. Captain Perkins, assistant quartermaster, at the foot of Common street, is master of transportation, and reports that lie will be able to take from 200 to 500 horses daily. The ten days' rations and forage should, as far as possible, be sent upon the vessels with the troops. Use all possible dispatch in sending the regiments which are ordered up the river to their destination.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. L. WOODWABD, Captain and Assistant Adjutant- General.
[MARCH 19, 1805. — For (irant to Halleck, relating to Washburn's ommand on the Mississippi, see Vol. XL VIII, Part I, p. 121 l.|
CITY POINT, VA., March 19, 1865—12 m. Mai. Gen. G. H. THOMAS,
Knoxville, Tenn. :
If Stoneman has not got off on his expedition, start him at once with whatever force you can give him. He will not meet with opposition no\v that cannot be overcome with 1,500 men. If I am not much mis taken, he will be able to come within fifty miles of Lynchburg.
U. S. GRANT,
Lieutenant- Genera /.
WASHINGTON, 1>. C., March 19, 1865 — 11.30 a. m. Major-General THOMAS,
Nashville :
Probably General Can by 's orders were issued before he received War Department General Orders, No. 21. Of course you will give General Washburn such instructions in regard to his cavalry as you may deem proper. H. W. HALLECK,
Major- General and Chief of
CHIOKASAW, ALA., March 19, 1865.
(Keceived 2()th.) Maj. Gen. G. H. THOMAS:
Everything ready and shall march to-morrow morning. From all I can learn Forrest lias concentrated his force about Tuscaloosa. I shall march southeastward as rapidly as possible till I cross the Black Warrior. I anticipate great difficulty in subsisting my stock till I arrive at that stream. Shall endeavor to keep you advised of my move ments.
J. H. WILSON,
Brevet Major- General.
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 29
SPECIAL } HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS,
FIELD ORDERS, [ MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
No. 9. ) Chiclcasaw, Ala., March 19, 1865.
I. The Cavalry Corps will march at 5.30 a. m. to-morrow iii the fol lowing order:
First. The First Division, Brigadier-General McCook commanding, on the right, by the road running nearest Bear Creek to Buzzard Eoost, and thence by the most practicable route toward Eussellville.
Second. The Second Division, Brigadier- General Long commanding, in the center, by the road through his camp to Cherokee Station, thence by the best road that can be found to Kussellville.
Third. The Fourth Division, Brevet Major-General Upton command ing, on the left, by the most direct route to Barton's Station, and thence by the road from Newport to Eussellville, passing by Throck- morton's Mill and the Crooked Oak Cross-Eoads, unless an equally good road can be found still farther to the eastward between Newport and Tuscumbia roads. In the latter case the march should be directed to the left of Eussellville on Newburg and Kinlock. This direction is preferred.
Fourth. The poutoou train, Major Hubbard commanding, will march with the Second Division, and till further notice receive inarching orders from General Long. It will join the division, as soon as practicable.
II. It is possible that only one practicable wagon road can be found across the mountains, in which case the trains will pass in the order of their arrival at it.
III. Division commanders will take every means to inform themselves of the country, the practicable roads in the direction of the march, and the location in which forage can be found. The supplies of grain, pro visions, and ammunition with which the command starts must be used with the greatest possible economy, and every eifort must be made to move with the greatest possible celerity till the barren portion of coun try is passed.
IV. In the absence of specific orders from these headquarters, divis ion commanders will cause their commands habitually to begin the march at daybreak, or as soon thereafter as practicable, marching bri gades on separate roads where it can be done to advantage.
Y. Corps headquarters will be habitually witli the center column. By command of Brevet Major-General Wilson:
E. B. BEAUMONT, Major and Assistant Adjutant- General.
CIRCULAR.] HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS,
MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Chickasaw. March 19, 1865.
In consequence of the non-arrival of forage the Cavalry Corps will not move to-morrow as was anticipated. Division commanders whose trains have marched in advance will send out sufficient guards to secure their safety. The pontoon train having been assigned a place in General Long's column, he will send out an officer at daybreak to-morrow to direct it to park with the Second Division train. The pontoon train left Eastport to-day to cross the Bear Creek bridge and proceed to Cherokee Station to join the Second Division. It will probably be found
30 KY., S. W. VA., TENN., N. & G. GA., MISS., ALA., & W. FLA.
near Bear Creek bridge or between there and the station. Division commanders will make arrangements to procure forage the moment it arrives. It is expected to-morrow. By command of Brevet Major-General Wilson:
E. B. BEAUMONT, Major and Assistant Adjutant- General.
HEADQUARTERS SECOND DIVISION, CAVALRY CORPS,
MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Chickasaw, Ala., March 19, 1865. Maj. E. B. BEAUMONT,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Cavalry Corps, Mil. Div. of the Mississippi: MAJOR : My train did not get more than fairly stretched out on the road to-night, and I presume that of the Fourth Division is not very far iii advance, as it moved out, contrary to my expectation and under standing, on the same road. I have not been able to get the full amount of forage to start from here with as required by General Wilson's order, as it is not here to be drawn. And if all of the other divisions are in the same fix as regards forage, and if there is, as I have understood, a probability of some grain arriving here to-morrow, I would respectfully suggest that the command remain in camp to morrow and allow the trains to get out as far as the railroad, or farther if they can. I do not, however, wish to remain in camp unless the other divisions do, as I do not wish to get behind.
Awaiting a reply, I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
ELI LONG, Brigadier- General, U. 8. Volunteers, Commanding Division.
CHATTANOOGA, TENN., March 19, 1865. Maj. Gen. GEORGE STONEMAN,
KnoxviHe, Tenn.:
Your telegram of 8.10 p. in. yesterday received. From our present knowledge of the situation of affairs in Southwestern Virginia I believe the route agreed upon by us for your forces to take will be the most effective that can be adopted, viz, to go down New River Valley, strike the railroad bey oiid Christiansburg, unless you learn that Sheridan has possession of Lynchburg; then, if you should learn the force at Danville is weak, attack that place and destroy the railroad as far as you can with safety toward Richmond, and then withdraw toward Tennessee, and observe and report all movements of the enemy to me promptlv.
GEO. H. THOMAS, Major -General, U. S. Army.
[MARCH 19, 1865. — For Halleck to Washburn, relating to command of latter on the Mississippi, see Vol. XLVIII, Part I, p. 1215.]
SPECIAL ORDERS. ) HDQRS. CAV. Div., DIST. OF WEST TENN.,
No. 46. ' } Memphis, Tenn., March 19, 1865.
I. Col. J. P. C. Shanks, commanding First Brigade, Cavalry Division, will on Monday, the 20th instant, at daylight, move the effective force
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 31
of his command, regimental pioneer corps, pack trains, and two six- mule teams for eacli regiment, to White's Station. Eegiments will be provided with sufficient camp and garrison equipage to secure their comfort. No guards will be stationed at any of the bridges or culverts between here and White's Station.
II. On Tuesday morning the First Brigade will move from White's Station to Germantown, leaving a squadron at each large bridge or culvert for guard duty.
*******
V. Col. H. Davis, commanding Second Brigade, Cavalry Division, will on Tuesday, the 21st instant, at daylight, move the effective force of his command, regimental pioneer corps, pack trains, and two six- mule teams for each regiment, to White's Station. Eegiments will be provided with sufficient camp and garrison equipage to secure their comfort. A guard consisting of one squadron will be stationed at each bridge and culvert between this point and White's Station.
*******
By order of Col. E. D. Osband :
E. J. MEYEES, Capt.j Second Wisconsin Vol. Cav., and Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen.
HDQRS. CAVALRY Div., DISTRICT OF WEST TENNESSEE,
Memphis, Tenn., March 19, 1865. Col. J. P. C. SHANKS,
Commanding First Brigade, Cavalry Division :
COLONEL : The colonel commanding the Cavalry Division directs me to say that from instructions received this p.m. from the major-general commanding, your orders are so far changed as that at White's Station you will leave one of the regiments of your brigade and proceed with the construction train toward Collierville, your movements to be gov erned by the progress of the train in repairing the road until you reach that point. Between White's Station and Collierville you will leave one squadron at each important bridge or culvert, with orders to patrol as far as is possible from one to the other. You may expect the regi ment left at W'hite's Station to remain there for four or five days, as the Second Brigade will not march before that time.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
ALEX. S. JESSUP, Captain and Aide-de-Camp.
SPECIAL } HEADQUARTERS ARMY AND DIVISION FIELD ORDERS, > OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
No. 12. ) March 19, 1865.
*******
3. Maj. H. E. Putnam, aide-de-camp, is hereby announced as com mandant of headquarters in the field, and will be obeyed and respected accordingly.
4. The regiment of colored infantry ordered from the Department of the Gulf to the District of West Florida by letter to Major-General Hurlbut dated March 14, is hereby assigned to the First Brigade of the division of colored infantry organized by paragraph 1, Special Orders, No. 54, current series, from these headquarters. The Twenty- fifth U. S. Colored Infantry is hereby detached from that brigade, and will remain on duty in the District of West Florida until further orders,
32 KY., S. W. VA., TENN., N. & C. GA., MISS., ALA., & W. FLA.
5. In consequence of the withdrawal of the First Florida and Second Maine Regiments of Cavalry from the District of West Florida, the last regiment of cavalry belonging to Brigadier-General Lucas' brigade which arrives at that place from New Orleans will remain there until further orders, and will report accordingly to Brig. Gen. A. Asboth, commanding the district.
*******
9. Maj. George W. Durgin, Fourth Wisconsin Cavalry Volunteers, will upon the return from his leave of absence immediately report to Brig. Gen. J. Bailey for assignment to duty as acting assistant adju tant-general of the Engineer Brigade. By order of Maj. Gen. E. R. S. Canby:
C. T. CHRISTENSEN, Lieutenant -Colonel and Assistant Adjutant- General.
SPECIAL FIELD ORDERS.] HDQRS. IST Div., 13TH ARMY CORPS,
In the Field, March 19, 186:").
This division will move on the morning of the 20th instant on the Fort Morgan and Blakely road in the following order: The Second Brigade, Brigadier-General Dennis commanding, will move at (3 o'clock. The First Brigade, Brigadier-General Slack commanding, will follow close on General Dennis' command. The Third Brigade, Lieutenant-Colonel Kinsey commanding, will follow General Slack's brigade. The regimental and headquarters trains in each brigade will be arranged in such manner as may be ordered by brigade com manders. The batteries will follow the Third Brigade, the Fourth Massachusetts preceding. The ammunition trains will follow after the batteries, and the supply trains after the ammunition trains, the ambu lance train in the rear. Reveille will be sounded at 4 a. in.
By order of Brig. Gen. J. C. Veatch:
E. G. CURTIS, Captain and Assistant Adjutant- General.
GENERAL ORDERS, ) HDQRS. DISTRICT OF SOUTH ALABAMA,
No. 1. 5 Fort Gaincs, Ala., March 19, 186:1.
In obedience to General Field Orders, No. 7, headquarters Army and Division of West Mississippi, dated March 17, 1865, the under signed hereby assumes command of the District of South Alabama. Capt. J. H. Wetmore, Ninety-fifth Illinois Infantry, is announced as acting assistant adjutant-general. All reports will be promptly for warded.
THOS. KILBY SMITH,
Brigadier- General.
GENERAL ORDERS, ^ HEADQUARTERS U. S. FORCES
OPERATING FROM PENSACOLA BAY,
No. 3. ) Barrancas, Fla., March 19, 186.r).
The following will be observed during the campaign upon which this command is about to enter:
1. The order of march and the time for starting will be habitually announced from these headquarters the evening previous.
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 33
2. Orderly call will be sounded on the bugle one hour before sunset (or immediately after the troops get into camp), at which time a staff officer from each infantry division and cavalry brigade will repair to headquarters to receive the orders.
3. Division trains will follow their respective divisions. The train of general headquarters, followed by the cavalry train, will move at the head of the train of the leading division.
4. No straggling will be allowed on the march. Marauders, plunder ers, and incendiaries will be severely .punished.
5. Foraging parties will be organized under orders of division com manders for infantry, and brigade commanders for cavalry. No inde pendent foraging will be permitted either on the march or while the troops are in camp. All captured animals will be turned into the quartermaster's department for issue or appraisal.
G. The discharge of fire-arms, except by order or in the line of duty, is strictly prohibited.
7. It shall be the duty of all commissioned officers to check any violation of paragraphs 4, 5, and 6, of this order that may come under his observation, to arrest the offender and turn him over to the provost- marshal with a full statement of the case. Provost- marshals will report all such cases to their respective headquarters in the form of charges against the offender.
By order of Maj. Gen. F. Steele:
JOHN F. LACEY, Captain and Assistant Adjutant -General.
CIRCULAR,] HDQRS. SECOND DIVISION, 13TH ARMY CORPS,
Pensacola, Fla., March 19, 1865.
The troops of this division will march with camp and garrison equi page and rations as heretofore ordered at daylight to-morrow morning. Reveille will be sounded at 4 a. m. The Third Brigade will be in advance. The Second Brigade, in the rear, will guard the train to-mor row, and for this purpose will march in the following order: The first regiment and three companies of the second in advance of the train, seven companies of the second following the first thirty teams, the third regiment deployed as flankers, the fourth regiment as rear guard. Brigade commanders will occasionally halt for the brigade to pass them and will keep their brigades well closed up. When defiles are to be passed they will see that the head of the brigade does not move beyond the proper interval till the rear has passed. It is again repeated that it is only by special watchfulness and care that a successful march is made.
By order of Brig. Gen. C. C. Andrews:
GEORGE MONROE,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
CIRCULAR.] HDQRS. SECOND DIVISION, ICTH ARMY CORPS,
Dauphin Island, Ala.., March 19, 1865.
Each brigade commander will mass his brigade near the south pier by 11 a. m. this morning, without further orders. Brigade and regi mental property will be collected and placed under a small guard on the ground now occupied by the brigade. Each brigade will leave a
3 R R — VOL XLIX, PT II
34 KY., S. W. VA., TENN., N. & C. GA., MISS., ALA., & W. FLA.
commissioned officer in charge and each regiment a non-commissioned officer. This property should be sent over and loaded in the wagons as fast as possible, when it is definitely ascertained where the wagons are landed. Lieutenant McKnight, aide-de-camp, is left behind and the brigade officers will learn from him from time to time what will be the best and quickest manner of getting this property up to the command. Captain Edwards, commissary of subsistence, has been directed to carry with him two days7 rations for the division, to be issued after landing instead of before embarkation. By order of General K. Garrard :
J. B. SAMPLE, Major and Assistant Adjutant- General.
GENERAL ORDERS, ) HDQRS. DISTRICT OF WEST FLORIDA,
No. 27. ) Barrancas, March 19, 1865.
Capt. Frank Eno, assistant adjutant-general, IT. S. Volunteers, having reported for duty at these headquarters, in compliance with Special Field Orders, No. 7, extract 2, from headquarters Army and Division of West Mississippi, dated March 13, 1865, is hereby announced on the staff of the brigadier- general commanding, and will be respected and obeyed accordingly. By order of Brigadier-General Asboth:
J. WM. HAIGHT, JR., First Lieutenant and Acting Assistant Adjutant- Genera I.
NASHVILLE, March 20, 1865. Lieut. Gen. U. S. GRANT,
City Point:
Your telegram of 11 a. m. [12 m.] 10th received. I presume yon had not yet received my dispatch of the 18th, from Chattanooga, concerning Stoneman's expedition. I think he has already started. Will forward your dispatch to him.
GEO. IT. THOMAS, Major- General, U. S. Army.
MOUND CITY, March 20, 1865. Maj. Gen. GEORGE H. THOMAS, U. S. Army:
Please note probable day of your arrival here, that I may control interval.
S. P. LEE, Rear -Admiral.
NASHVILLE, TENN., March 20, 1865. Eear- Admiral S. P. LEE,
Mound City:
If nothing happens I shall leave for Memphis Thursday next and will stop to see you. The time of my arrival will depend on the speed of the steamer. Will probably reach Mound City the second day after leaving Nashville.
GEO. H. THOMAS, Major -General, U. 8. Army.
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 35
CHIEF QUARTERMASTER'S OFFICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,
Nashville, Tenn., March 20, 1865. Maj. (leu. M. 0. MEIGS,
Quartermaster- General :
DEAR GENERAL : I returned from Knoxville with General Thomas this morning. Stoneman is at Strawberry Plains with his cavalry expecting to have a movable column of 6,000, and we met the Fourth Corps en route at London. Most of the men were up, but transporta tion behind for want of cars. The railroad is in good order, but it has been stripped of many of its good workers and needs spurring up or it will go behind. It is in operation to Strawberry Plains, and in course of construction to Bull's Gap. Quite an army is assembling at Knox ville, and the quartermaster's department is" well up in supplies. In anticipation of demands upon us, I ordered 50,000 sacks of grain there and they came in just right. Other supplies, clothing, &c., are also in abundance, and if heavy operations take place from Knoxville I shall supply it from Chattanooga as a base. Captain Whitman, the quar termaster at Knoxville, does his duty satisfactorily and his depot is in a satisfactory condition. The same remarks are applicable to Chatta nooga, Capt. C. K. Smith, the quartermaster there, being also a good officer. I went through his store-houses, corrals, &c., and found them clean, systematic, and well kept. I went to the top of Lookout Moun tain, and think the less building there the better. The road is awful, and death on mules. I communicated your telegraphic order to cease building there, and he directed all building to cease, except such as was partially finished — these to be completed. Now, as regards loss of stores at Eastport, the papers have magnified it, as Colonel Mack ay's report, which I forward to-day, shows. More forage was accumulated there than was desired and it could not be saved, as the river rose sud denly and uuprecedentedly high, flooding the whole country back to the hills and laying Eastport, ten to fifteen miles, under water. I visited the rolling-mill in Chattanooga. It is a fine concern, with splendid machinery, under Mr. Yardley. He tells me it cost about $175,000, but I'll set its cost nearer $300,000. They will have about 25,000 tons of old iron to work over, and if the war last a couple of years it will pay; if not, not. I may be mistaken, but this is my opinion.
L do not see why I am all the time concerning myself about the rail road. It is no business of mine, McCalluni might say; but for all that they want regulating badly and a first-rate head here. Stevens, the acting general superintendent, is a good man, but he has not head enough for such a great machine. He can run the road, make time tables, &c., but when he comes to the nicer points of administration he is at sea. The best man I know is A. Anderson, and he ought to stay here. He is better than McCallum so far as administration is con cerned. Captain Crilly, assistant quartermaster, does well. He does a vast amount of work without noise or labor, and has reduced the expenses of the department very much. Depend upon it, he is very able. He suffers terribly for funds, and to save the railroad almost from stopping I have advanced him this morning $300,000. But enough of railroads. I said it is no business of mine, and yet I find myself all the time dabbling in them. I think Thomas' plan of cam paign is to occupy a line near Bull's Gap with Eourth Corps and other troops, and send Stoneman forward with his cavalry. This is mere conjecture, for he has said nothing to me on the subject. You know he
3(> KY., S. W. VA., TENN., N. & C. GA., MISS., ALA., & W. FLA.
is as reticent as a mole, though full of kindness and good feeling. He placed me under Steedman, you know, at the battle of Nashville. I met Steedman at Chattanooga, and he said to me he had delayed mak ing his official report till he had received mine, but as I sent none he had rendered it at last. I told him I did not suppose he expected a report or I should have got one up, as I was under his command, though not under fire. Last night General Thomas read me Steed- man's report, and he speaks in very complimentary terms of the divis ion of quartermaster's forces, and says all that I could desire.* This is gratifying, as showing the good feeling animating both General Thomas and General Steedman toward the department. I believe I have writ ten you an unreasonable, gossipy letter, and will stop. I go with Gen eral Thomas on Thursday, 24th [23d] instant, to Memphis and thence to Eastport.
Very truly, your friend,
J. L. DONALDSON.
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH ARMY CORPS,
Neiv Market, East Tenn., March 20, 1865. Brig. Gen. W. D. WHIPPLE,
Chief of Staff , Department of the Cumberland :
Just before leaving Huntsville I made an application by telegraph to have Brig. Gen. C. C. Doolittle assigned to the Fourth Army Corps; also to have the Eighteenth Michigan Infantry transferred to this corps. I intended to have spoken to Major-General Thomas upon the subject, but my interview at Chattanooga with him Avas so brief that I omitted mentioning it. General Doolittle is anxious to command in the Fourth Corps, and I will give him the best brigade at my disposal. He is also desirous to have his own regiment (the Eighteenth Michigan) in his command, and informs me that it is the dearest wish of the officers and men to get into an active campaign, and they think they can reasonably ask this as a favor from the major-general commanding from their long-continued service as railroad and provost guards. I promised to make this application both for General Doolittle and his regiment, and if consistent with the good of the service, T would be very much pleased could the request be granted. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
D. S. STANLEY,
Major- Genera I.
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH ARMY CORPS,
New Market, East Te-nn., March 20, 18(15. A. A. TALMADGKE:
Have all of the transportation for the First Division, of Fourth Corps, which is at Strawberry Plains, unload at Knoxville. Send the transportation of the Third Division to New Market with the artillery and its transportation.
D. S. STANLEY, Major- General, Commanding.
*See Vol. XLV, Part I, p. 508.
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 37
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH ARMY CORPS,
New Market, East Tenn., March 20, 1865.
Brevet Major- General KIMBALL,
Commanding First Division, Strawberry Plains: Owing to the crowded condition of the railroad, all of the transpor tation of your division will be unloaded at Knoxville. From there take the dirt road for Strawberry Plains. Send an officer to Knoxville to see to unloading and forwarding it. Send to-morrow. By order of Major-General Stanley:
J. S. FULLERTON, Assistant Adjutant- General and Chief of Staff.
SPECIAL ORDERS, ) HDQRS. THIRD Div., 4TH ARMY CORPS,
No. 42. ] Neiv Market, East Tenn., March ;><>, iwtr>.
* # * * * * *
III. The Thirteenth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry (Colonel Lyon), assigned to this division by Special Orders, No. 61, paragraph 23, headquarters Department of the Cumberland, is hereby assigned to the Third Brigade, and will report at once to Brigadier-General Beatty.
By order of Major-General Wood:
M. P. BESTOW, Assistant Adjutant- General.
HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. Dry. OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Chickasaw, Ala., March 20, JWA-7. Brigadier- Gen era! WHIPPLE,
Chief of Staff, Dept. of the Cumberland, Nashville, Tenn. : We are delayed starting from this place by forage having failed to arrive. The country for eighty miles south of this is entirely denuded of forage.
J. IT. WILSON,
Brevet Major- General.
GENERAL ORDERS, J HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS,
> MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI, No. 26. ) Chickasaw, Ala., March ,20, 18C>5.
I. General Orders, No. 8,* December 14, 1864, from these headquar ters, is hereby revoked.
II. The following-named officers will constitute the staff of the brevet major-general commanding, and will be obeyed and respected accordingly: Maj. E. B. Beaumont, U. S. Volunteers, assistant adjutant-general; Maj. F. Salter, surgeon, U. S. Volunteers, medical director; Maj. M. H. Williams, Tenth Missouri Cavalry, acting assist ant inspector-general; Capt. L. T. Griffin, Fourth Michigan Cavalry, acting assistant adjutant-general; Capt. E. B. Carling, U. S. Army, chief quartermaster; Capt. W. W. Barker, U. S. Volunteers, chief commissary of subsistence; Capt. L. M. Hosca, Sixteenth IT. S. Infantry, commissary of musters; Capt. J. P. W. Neill, Eighteenth
See Vol. XLV, Part II, p. 189.
38 KY., S. W. VA., TENN., N. & C. GA., MISS., ALA., & W. FLA.
U. S. Infantry, assistant commissary of musters; Capt. G. H. Knee- land, Fourth Indiana Cavalry, provost-marshal; Capt. Joseph A. God- dard, Fourth Ohio Cavalry, acting assistant quartermaster; Capt. W. E. Brown, Fourth Kentucky Cavalry, acting assistant quartermaster; Maj. W. McBurney, First Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, ordnance officer; Capt. W. W. Van Antwerp, Fourth Michigan Cavalry, acting aide-de camp; Capt. M. M. Pool, Illinois Yolunteers, acting aide-de-camp; First Lieut. W. T. Okie, assistant surgeon, U. S. Army, medical inspector; First Lieut. H. E. Noyes, Second U. S. Cavalry, aide-de-camp ; First Lieut. T. B. Prather, Fourth Indiana Cavalry, acting aide-de-camp; First Lieut. E. G. Eoys, Fourth U. S. Cavalry, acting aide-de-camp and chief of scouts; Capt. H. S. Heywood, Fourth Michigan Cavalry, engineer officer; Capt. S. J. Dangler, Fifth Iowa Cavalry, chief of ambulances. By command of Brevet Major-General Wilson:
E. B. BEAJJMONT, Major and Assistant Adjutant- General.
SPECIAL ORDERS, ^ HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS,
> MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI, No. 55. ) Chickasaw, Ala., March 20, 1865.
*******
III. Maj. M. H. Williams, Tenth Missouri Cavalry, is hereby detailed as acting assistant inspector-general, Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the Mississippi, and will report at once to the brevet major-general commanding for duty.
*******
By command of Brevet Major-General Wilson:
E. B. BEAUMONT,
Major and Assistant Adjutant- General.
CIRCULAR.] HDQRS. CAV. CORPS, MIL. Div. OF THE Miss.,
(jliickasaw ', March 20, 1865.
The Cavalry Corps will march at 5.30 a. m. to-morrow, March 21, in the following order: First. The First Division, Brigadier- Gen era! McCook commanding, on the right of the road running nearest Bear Creek to Buzzard Boost, and thence by the most practicable route to Eussellville. Second. The Second Division, Brig. Gen. Eli Long com manding, in the center by the road through his camp to Cherokee Station, thence by the best road that can be found to Eussellville. Third. The Fourth Division on the left by the most direct route to Barton's Station, and thence by the Newport road toward Eussellville, passing by Throckmortoii's Mill and the Crooked Oak Cross-Eoad, unless an equally good road can be found still farther to eastward between the Newport and Tuscumbia roads. In the latter case it may keep entirely to the left of Eussellville, and direct its march on New port or Kinlock, this direction to be preferred. It is possible that only one practicable wagon road can be found across the mountains, in which case the trains will pass in the order of their arrival at it. Division commanders will take every means to inform themselves of the country, the practicable roads in the direction of the march, and
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 39
the location iii which forage can be found. The supplies of grain, pro visions, and ammunition with which the command starts must be used with the greatest possible economy, and every effort must be made to move with the greatest possible celerity till the barren portion of country is passed. In the absence of specific orders from these head quarters division commanders will cause their commands to begin the march at daybreak, or as soon thereafter as practicable, marching brigades on separate roads where it can be done to advantage. Corps headquarters will be habitually with the center column. By command of Brev.et Major-General Wilson:
E. B. BEAUMONT, Major and Assistant Adjutant- General.
HEADQUARTERS FIFTH DIVISION, CAVALRY CORPS,
MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Eastport, Miss., March 20, 1865. Maj. Gen. GEORGE H. THOMAS,
Comdg. Department of the Cumberland, Nashville, Tenn.: GENERAL : I forward with this such extracts* from General Wilson's instructions to me, given upon his departure, that lead me into direct communication with yourself and heads of departments which may hasten the arming and equipping of my command; also General Wil son's order! showing that the present destitute condition of my com mand was not ordered through any imputation of disgrace toward the division, but purely for the good of the service; and would earnestly request my division may be put upon a war footing, and would respect fully request if any doubt exists of its discipline or appearance of the men I solicit an inspector be appointed to inspect these troops; and also refer to former inspection reports of the regiments I brought to this department, which state favorably in every instance regarding their appearance and discipline. The Second Iowa Cavalry, Third, Sixth, Seventh, and Ninth Illinois Cavalry were re-enlisted a year ago as veterans, with the promise if they would re-enlist they should be armed with the Spencer carbine. Of these only the Second Iowa Cav alry and Sixth Illinois Cavalry were armed with the Spencer carbine. What the Ninth Illinois Cavalry had were surplus arms from these regiments and arms captured or left on the field by other regiments. These arms have since been turned over to General Wilson's command, about to take the field for active operations. The Third and Seventh Illinois Cavalry have for eight months carried arms condemned and turned over at one time at Memphis, Tenn. The Twelfth Missouri have an arm condemned eight months ago. I am receiving recruits daily, and have not arms enough to arm my command, and have sent (some days since) Captain Budd to you for muskets, despairing of obtaining a cavalry arm. I believe there is not an instance that any of these regiments have broken in front of the enemy, and I have never seen them charge a battery they did not take or a line of the enemy they did not break. If horses cannot be furnished I would suggest that the division be thoroughly armed. It can be made as effective as any infantry with the drill it is now receiving, and will in twenty days be
* See Wilson to Hatch, March 17, p. 11.
t See General Orders, No. 24, headquarters Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the Mississippi, March 18, p. 19.
40 KY., S. W. VA., TENN., N. & C. GA., MISS., ALA., & W. FLA.
able to take the field effectively on foot. So far as obtaining- informa tion suggested by General Wilson, I consider the best is to be obtained by purchasing officers at the headquarters of the enemy. This I can do. It will require money, however, to do this. I have none and no way of obtaining any here in the way of assessments, as I consider this only a camp of instruction, not a post. The railroad train run by the rebels has reached Corinth, and yesterday was near Burnsville. It will be at luka probably to-morrow. This is reported to me by scouts. From these reports, however, I am not sure that it is a train coining north from West Point or one that has remained near Corinth. I should like very much to have instructions regarding the running of these trains. I know General Forrest well enough to be aware he will take any advantage of this privilege.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
EDWARD HATCH,
Brigadier- General.
GENERAL ORDERS, ) HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF KENTUCKY,
No. 13. ) Louisville, Ky., March 20, 1866.
It being well known that much hostility still exists in the minds of some evil-disposed persons in the State of Kentucky against the enlist ment of colored soldiers, and that in order to discourage enlistment many cases have occurred of their barbarous treatment, imprisonment in jails and slave pens, it is ordered that hereafter no colored person in this department shall be confined in any jail or prison except by proper legal authority, and that all slave pens and other private places of con finement be at once broken up. Commanding officers of troops through out the department are charged with the proper execution of this order. By command of Major-General Palmer:
E. B. HAKLAN", Captain and Assistant Adjutant- General.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,
Nashville, March 20, 1865 — 11 a. m. (Keceived 21st.) Maj. Gen. C. C. WASHBURN,
Memphis, Tenn.:
Your telegraphic application to me for advice as to whether you shall obey General Canby's order to turn over your cavalry to General Grier- son was referred to Major-General Halleck for the information of the De partment. At the same time I informed General Halleck that this cav alry could not bo spared from your district and that you were authorised by me to detain it until I could hear from him. I this morning received the following telegram.* You will retain the cavalry in your district, except the brigade which General Dana brought to Memphis, which can be sent to Vicksburg if they still require it. If nothing prevents I will start from here on Thursday next to visit you.
GEO. H. THOMAS, Major- General, U. 8. Army.
*See Halleck to Thomas, 11.3.0 a. in. March 19, p. 28.
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 41
HDQRS. ARMY AND DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
Fort Games j Ala., March 20, 1865. Lieut. Col. C. G. SAWTELLE,
Chief Quartermaster, Military Division of West Mississippi: SIR: If any of the light-draft schooners now lying- at Navy (Jove laden with sutler stores are fit to carry ammunition you are authorized to seize any one of them, have it laden with ammunition by the ord nance officer of the Thirteenth Corps, and sent up the bay to the troops in the field.
By order of Maj. (Jen. E. 11. S. Canby :
(3. T. CHRISTENSEN, Lieu tenant- Colonel and Assistant Adjutant- General.
HDQRS. IT. S. FORCES OPERATING- FROM PENSACOLA BAY,
rensacola, Fla., March 20, Lieut. Col. C. T. CHRISTENSEN,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Hdqrs. Mil. I)ii\ of West Mississippi: COLONEL: Spurling was at work all last night, and his whole com mand is probably at Creigler's Mills by this time. The balance of the troops were concentrated here yesterday, and commenced moving into the interior this morning. I will inclose a return approximating as nearly as practicable to the strength of my effective force. General Lucas arrived yesterday. When the rest of his brigade gets up Gen eral Asboth will have 1,200 or 1,500 effective men, and the convalescents and sick that could be employed in case of emergency will probably augment his force to 2,000, which I think is ample for the defense of Barrancas, but not enough to carry on the extensive work which the general has laid out. The central wharf here was put in complete repair and a railroad track laid the whole extent of it and up to the store houses in town. As I could not spare troops to leave a garrison in the place, and as I presume it was not intended that 1 should do so, 1 addressed an official letter to Capt. A. Gibson, U. S. Navy, command ing squadron in Pensacola Bay, and requested him to protect the wharf until troops should arrive to garrison the town. 1 have received no reply from Captain Gibson, but there is a man-of-war lying broad side on to enfilade the wharf. Andrews has twelve days' rations and Hawkins ten days'. Cavalry, ditto, except Spurling, who did not take a wheel. We have ten days' oats — ten q uarts per day — for train animals. From all the information that I can obtain, it is probable that we shall find neither forage nor provisions between here and Pollard, except that the cavalry may find some on by-roads. If I do not hear from headquarters by the time the rations in haversacks are out I shall order half-rations issued to the troops.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
F. STEELE, Major- General, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Dannellyjs Ferry, Fish River, March 20, 1865 — 4.30 p. in. Maj. Gen. E. E. S. CANBY:
I have the honor to report that we made a safe landing at this point at 2.30 p. m., and are now engaged in forming our lines for defense. I
42
KY., S. W. VA., TENN., N. & C. GA., MISS., ALA., & W. FLA.
hope before dark to have everything in position, and will await the arrival of the remainder of my corps. No portion of General Granger's troops have yet arrived. I will construct the bridge early in the morn ing. I will send back the boats as fast as unloaded. The navigation of the river is good to Smith's Mills; from that point to this the river is narrow and crooked.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. J. SMITH,
Major- General.
GENERAL ORDERS, ) HDQRS. SEPARATE CAVALRY BRIGADE,
No. 12. } Pensacola, Fla., March 20, 1805.
The officers composing the staff of the brigadier- general command ing are hereby announced as follows: Maj. J. E. Cowan, acting assist ant inspector-general 5 Maj. E. H. Perry, chief of outposts ; Surg. J. A. Skilton, medical officer in charge 5 Capt. E. Y. Hitch, acting assistant adjutant- general 5 Capt. H. B. Steele, commissary of subsistence; Capt. G. W. Becker, acting aide-de-camp and provost-marshal; First Lieut. H. D. Barber, acting aide-de-camp; Second Lieut. II. W. Thayer, act ing-ordnance officer; Second Lieut. T. J. Simpson, acting assistant quartermaster.
By order of Brigadier-General Lucas:
E. V. HITCH, Captain and Acting Assistant Adjutant- General.
SPECIAL ORDERS, ) HDQRS. DISTRICT OF WEST FLORIDA,
No. 67. ] Barrancas, Fla., March 20, 1865.
* ******
3. The commanding officer at Fort Pickens will at once send the two smallest companies of his command to this place to report to Col. F. L. Hitchcock, Twenty-fifth U. S. Colored Infantry, for duty. Colonel Hitchcock will encamp these companies inside the new fortified line, extending from the redoubt to the Bayou Grande, for the purpose of guarding that line, serving the guns, and assisting to complete the inner earth-works at Fort Barrancas and the redoubt. The quarter master's department will furnish the necessary transportation from Fort Pickens to this place and provide the working parties with the required tools.
*******
5. Col. F. L. Hitchcock, Twenty-fifth U. S. Colored Infantry, is assigned to the command of Fort Barrancas and the redoubt, including the continued line of works between that fort and the Bayou Grande; also the picket-line along the bayou to Gun-boat Point.
G. Col. D. B. Bush, Second Illinois Cavalry, will at once resume com mand of all the detachments of cavalry now serving within this district except the Second Maine and the First Florida Cavalry, making a con solidated return of the command thus [formed] to these headquarters. *******
By command of Brigadier-General Asboth:
FKANK END,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 43
CITY POINT, YA., March 21, 1865 — 4 p. m.
(Received 22d.) Major-General THOMAS,
Nashville, Tenn. :
Has Crnft started yet with the detachments belonging to Sherman's army? Your dispatches of 18th and 20th were received yesterday. Stoneman's directions are satisfactory, but Sheridan did not go to Lynchburg. If not too late, inform Stonemaii of the fact.
U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant- General.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,
Nashville, March 21, 1865. L. H. ElCHOLTZ,
Acting Chief Engineer, Knoxville:
Your two telegrams of 19th and 20th received. I wish you to place the East Tennessee and Yirginia Railroad in condition to sustain as constant work as the Chattanooga and Atlanta road did last year. Does General Stanley move on with his forces before your construction parties? If you have the men to spare, you had better commence the switch at Knoxville at once. I want everything along the road pre pared for heavy work as soon as possible.
GEO. II. THOMAS, Major-General, U. 8. Army, Commanding.
NASHVILLE, TENN., March 21, 1865. Brig. Gen. W. L. ELLIOTT,
Huntsville, Ala.:
The One hundred and forty -ninth Indiana is en route to report to General Granger. As soon as it does so you will move to East Tennes see with your division and join the Fourth Corps.
WM. D. WHIPPLE,
Brigadier- General.
HUNTSVILLE, March 21, 1865. Brig. Gen. W. D. WHIPPLE,
Chief of Staff:
Dispatch received. General Stanley ordered that the transportation of the corps, including the ambulance corps and pontoon train, should precede my division. The transportation of Wood's division is now being shipped. The ambulance corps, pontoon train, and transporta tion for my division is yet to go. Do you intend your order to cause any change to be made in the order of shipment? I have information I deem reliable of the intended meeting of a conscripting party on Sat urday morning, which I intend to capture or disperse Avithout interfer ing with the movement of my command, if no change is made in the order of shipment.
W. L. ELLIOTT,
Brigadier- General.
44 KY., S. W. VA., TENN., N. & C. GA., MISS., ALA., & W. FLA.
THREE MILES AND A HALF SOUTH OF CHEROKEE, ALA.,
March 21, 1865. Major BEAUMONT:
Sin : I have the honor to report, for the information of the general commanding, the following intelligence:
First. The only road that can be traveled by our trains in crossing the mountains is Barton Station and Frankfort. The Cane Creek and the Cherokee roads are almost impassable for cavalry alone.
Second. There is no forage between the railroad and Russell ville. The only forage to be found in the councry is on Big Bear and south of it, or west on the road leading from Buzzard Koost through Allsborough to Burleson. That road is in excellent order for traveling. A man who left Koddey five days ago says his (Koddey's) command is near Tuscaloosa. There is nothing in this vicinity but scouts. My infor mant is a reliable man, known by 1113^ scouts. He also has papers from several of our generals. I will scout down through the country around Rock Creek to-morrow. I am, &c.,
ROYS, Commanding tfcoutx.
CHICK ASAW, March 21, /(SY;.T. Brig. Gen. W. B. WHIPPLE,
Chief of Staff:
According to directions of General Wilson, I have to inform you that his command took the march this morning.
E. B. OAKLING, Captain, Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the
SPECIAL ORDERS, ^ HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS,
MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
No. 56. ) Ghicleasaw, March 21, i,sy;.o.
*******
IT. Bvt. Maj. James W. Latta, assistant adjutant- general of vol unteers, having reported to the brevet major-general commanding, in accordance with Special Orders, No. 102, from the, War Department, is hereby assigned to duty with the Fourth Division, Cavalry Corps, and will report to Brevet Major-General Upton.
*******
Y. Capt. Ed. Dale, commissary of subsistence, First Division Cav alry, will in addition to his present duties perform the duties of chief commissary of subsistence, Cavalry Corps. All reports required of subsistence officers will be made to him.
*******
VII. Subject to the approval of the President of the United States,
and for the benefit of the service, Bvt. Brig. Gen. E. F. Win slow is
assigned to duty with his brevet rank, to command the First Brigade,
Fourth Division, Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the Mississippi.
* ******
By command of Brevet Major-General Wilson:
E. B. BEAUMONT, Major and Assistant Adjutant General.
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 45
GENERAL ORDERS, ^ HDQRS. FIRST Div., CAV. CORPS,
> MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI, No. 14. ) Chickasaw, Ala., March 21, 1865.
Maj. John M. Bacon, Fourth Kentucky Cavalry, is announced as acting assistant adjutant-general of the First Division, Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the Mississippi. He will be obeyed and respected accordingly. By command of Brig. Gen. E. M. McCook :
M. J. MILLEE, Lieutenant and Acting Assistant Adjutant- General.
SPECIAL ORDERS, ) HDQRS. FOURTH Div., CAV. CORPS,
> MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI, No. 28. ) Chickasaw, Ala., March 21, 1865.
I. Bvt. Maj. James W. Latta, assistant adjutant- general of volun teers, having been assigned for duty with this command by virtue of Special Orders, No. 50, headquarters Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the Mississippi, March 21, 1865, is hereby announced as assistant adjutant- general. He will be respected and obeyed accordingly.
II. Capt. Thomas C. Gilpin, Third Iowa Cavalry, is hereby relieved from duty as acting assistant adjutant-general and assigned as acting aide-de-camp. The brevet major-general commanding takes pleasure in expressing his satisfaction with the manner in which Captain Gilpin has habitually performed the duties pertaining to the office he has heretofore tilled in the command.
JAMES W. LATTA, Assistant Adjutant- Genera /.
HUNTS VILLE, March 21, 1865. Brigadier-General WHIPPLE :
Communication from General Forrest in regard to exchange of pris oners received at Whitesburg to-day will be forwarded to-morrow by train. Communication refers to arrangements previously made and suggests further arrangements for exchange of prisoners in the field, and is dated uln Field, March 13." On the 18th Colonel Conrad tel egraphed from Decatur that a part of Forrest's command had relieved Bedding in front of that post, which was telegraphed to General Rousseau. I repeat, as it may have some connection with communica tion jnst received. I have further information that Forrest's forces, or portion of the same, are on the opposite side of the river actually engaged in conscripting. Respectfully,
E. 8. GEANGEE,
Brigadier- General.
NASHVILLE, TENN., March 21, 186:
Brig. Gen. E. S. GRANGER,
Huntsville, Ala.:
Do not receive any more flags of truce from Forrest. Eastport is the proper point to receive communications from him. The One hun dred and forty-ninth Indiana Eegimeut is en route to you. When it
46 KY., S. W. VA., TENN., N. & C. GA., MISS., ALA., & W. FLA.
arrives you will Lave one more regiment than you originally had, and which you thought sufficient for the defense of your district. No more can be spared you, but the remainder of the new regiments must be prepared for the field.
WM. D. WHIPPLE,
Brigadier- General.
D ALTON, March 21, 1865. Maj. S. B. MOB:
I sent 320 men last night under Lieutenant-Colonel Snow, One hun dred and fifty-first Illinois, and heard from him at Einggold this morn ing, since which I can get nothing from him or hear of anything unusual on the line. The dispatch you just sent was [received] by Colonel Sickles, who happening to be at the telegraph office took the great liberty of replying to it in my name. He is right in that I have no locomotive or train, but I have given orders to march up the guard at once. If the rebels are in any force the commanding officer at Tunnel Hill should send me a courier as ordered, and, if necessary, probably will.
H. M. JUDAH, Brigadier- General, Commanding.
KNOXVILLE, March 21, 1865. Maj. Gen. GEORGE H. THOMAS,
Commanding Department of the Cumberland:
I have the honor to report, for the information of yourself and Lieut. Gen. U. S. Grant, that my whole command is on the road, and that the advance will be at Morristown, fifty miles from here, to-day. It is a long, rough, and bad road where we are going, and every precaution and care has been and must continue to be taken in order that our horses may not be broken down in the first part, which is over a coun try destitute of subsistence. I will keep you advised as long as I am within range of the telegraph or courier communication.
GEOKGE STONEMAN,
Major- General.
HDQRS. SECOND BRIGADE, FOURTH DIVISION,
DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,
Knoxmlle, Tenn., March 21, 1865. COMDG. OFFICER SEVENTH TENNESSEE INFTY. YOLS.,
Athens, Tenn.:
SIR : You will proceed with all the effective armed force of your regi ment from Athens, Tenn., and distribute it at the several passes through the mountains east of that place. All enlisted men not armed Avill be left at Athens under charge of a commissioned officer, who will report to Capt. W. H. H. Crowell, Second Ohio Heavy Artillery, commanding post at Athens. With your effective force you will take measures to guard the mountain passes mentioned, and to prevent the incursions of guerrilla bands, and will be held responsible for any failure to do so. You must enforce strict discipline in your command, and under no cir cumstances permit the men to leave their companies, or to straggle in the march or from their camps, and all depredations and all cases of absence without authority of the major-general commanding the
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 47
department must be severely and summarily punished. Your com mand will subsist upon the country, but all supplies taken must be receipted for on the proper blank forms used by quartermaster's and subsistence departments, whether obtained from loyal or disloyal persons. You will appoint a discreet officer to perform the duties of regimental quartermaster and commissary, who will alone have author ity to provide the necessary supplies for your command, and you will be held responsible that his duty is faithfully and strictly performed. You will procure a full supply of ammunition before starting from Athens, and see that your men have at all times forty rounds of ammu nition ready for use, and also that their arms are always kept clean and free from rust. You will send your tri-monthly report promptly, in time to have it reach these headquarters by the 10th, 20th, and last days of each month. You will also forward your monthly report promptly on the last day of each month, and be very careful that all returns and reports are correct before they are sent. You will provide yourself with the necessary blanks before starting.
Yery respectfully, your obedient servant,
II. G. GIBSON, Colonel Second Ohio Heavy Artillery, Commanding Brigade.
HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION, DEPARTMENT or KENTUCKY,
Lexington, Ky., March 21, 1865. Brevet Brigadier- General BRISBIN,
Louisville, Ky. :
GENERAL : I have the honor to request that you send three com panies of colored troops to Burkesville, Ky., for the jmrpose of gar risoning that place as an outpost. Rations for one month or a longer period should be sent from Nashville on transport. My object in establishing an outpost at Burkesville is for the purpose of making it a base and depot of supplies for mounted force for immediate use. Rations can be sent from Lebanon in wagons. It will be necessary to appoint an acting quartermaster and commissary of subsistence at Burkesville, with instructions to furnish all troops moving in that vicinity with supplies. I hope my suggestion will meet the views of the general commanding department. Give me notice when troops are sent.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. H. HOBSON, Brigadier- General.
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY DIVISION,
March 21, 1865. Maj. Gen. 0. 0. WASHBURN:
McCulloch crossed the Yockna, between Grenada and Panola, with the Missouri Brigade of Forrest's corps last Wednesday. Is about Senatobia now with Jesse Forrest's brigade. Effective strength 1,500.
E. D. OSBAND.
SPECIAL ORDERS, ) HDQRS. MIL. Div. OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
No. 80. New Orleans, La., March 21, 1865.
»«..»#»».- 3
3. Bvt. Maj. Gen. B. H. Grierson, commanding Cavalry Forces, Mili tary Division of West Mississippi, is hereby directed to organize the
48 KY., S. W. VA., TENN., N. & C. GA., MISS., ALA., & W. FLA.
cavalry designated for service in the field into three divisions of two brigades each, the whole to be designated u Cavalry Corps, Military Division of West Mississippi."
By order of Maj. Gen. E. R. S. Canby:
C. H. DYER, Captain and Assistant Adjutant- General.
HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
Fort Gaines, March 21, J<sv;/7. Rear- Admiral H. K. THATCHER,
Commanding, &c. :
ADMIRAL: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of this date. I will go up to the front this morning, and will move across to the bay as soon as we have laid the bridges and secured the crossing of our trains over Fish River. Will you please keep a force in the neighborhood of Howard's, and be on the lookout for our signals from Cape Clear up. I will communicate with you as frequently as possible.
Very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,
E. R. S. CANBY, Major- General, Commanding.
HDQRS. ARMY AND DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
Dannelltfa Mills, Fish River, March 21, 18ii~>. Capt. T. P. GREENE,
Commanding, Ac., IT. S. Navy :
CAPTAIN: Will you please order two or three naval vessels to report to Colonel Sawtelle, chief quartermaster, to-morrow morning at Fort Gaines, Ala., to assist in transporting troops to this point.
I have the honor to be, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. R. S. CANBY, Major- General, Comm an din<j.
MILITARY DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI
Dauphin Island, March 21, 1865. Maj. Gen. E. R. S. CANBY,
Commanding Army :
GENERAL : In compliance with your orders of this a. m., the remainder of the Sixteenth Army Corps will leave this afternoon from their respec tive stations at Cedar Point and here for Fish River. Rations up to the last of the month will arrive at the landing in Fish River by to-mor row noon. There were no arrivals from New Orleans since you left. The headquarters will start by the first boat of the proper draft which returns. Only the steamers Peerless and Swaim came back from Fish River. The former is returning in a few moments with 300 troops, and the latter is, on account of her light draft, sent to Cedar Point to take troops.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
P. .1. OSTERHAUS, Major -Genera I and Chief of titaff.
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 49
OFFICE OF CHIEF QUARTERMASTER, MILITARY DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
Fort G aines, Ala., March 21, 1865. Col. 8. B. HOLABIRD,
Chief Quartermaster, Dept. of the Gulf, New Orleans, La. : COLONEL : New Orleans must be considered for the present the main depot from which our supplies must be drawn for the troops operating in South Alabama and West Florida, and the major- general coinmand ing the Military Division and Army of West Mississippi directs that your stock of forage, quartermaster's stores, and clothing, camp and garrison equipage be kept up and renewed, so far as is in your power, by timely requisitions and estimates, having in contemplation the fur nishing of the army now operating in South Alabama and West Florida. The wants of the quartermaster's department in this army will be made known to you as frequently and fully as is practicable or possible. It is believed that if your estimates already forwarded North and hereafter made by you are filled promptly, there will be no impediment in the way of supplying this army and the troops at present within the Department of the Gulf proper. The following is approximately, in round numbers, the number of men and animals now with and that will be with the army operating in South Alabama and West Florida to be supplied: Forty thousand infantry, 8,000 cavalry, 2,500 artillery, 1 ,000 engineers, 1 1 ,500 horses, and 1 2,500 mules. When the information was iirst received at headquarters Military Division of West Mississippi that the force under General A. J. Smith was to be sent to this army from General George H. Thomas' army, I informed you of the number of animals expected to arrive with that force, and directed estimates for forage to be made accordingly, in addition to the necessary estimates for the animals then dependent for their supply on the depot in New Orleans. These estimates were forwarded, I think, at once through my office, and are doubtless being filled. Shortly before leaving New Orleans for this point, I was informed by you that the forage officer in New Orleans was continuing to make the proper estimates. I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. G. SAWTELLE, Lieut. Col. and Chief Quartermaster, Mil. Div. of West
MILITARY DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
OFFICE OF CHIEF QUARTERMASTER,
Fort Gaines, Ala., March 21, General P. J. OSTERHAUS,
Chief of Rtaff, &c. :
GENERAL: I have the honor to return herewith, inclosed, the letter from Major-General Hurlbut to Colonel Christensen, and which was referred to me to-day by the major-general commanding. I believe that the fears expressed therein by General Hurlbut are groundless, so fat- as regards the main supplies for this army, provided the estimates and requisitions already made and those ordered to be made are promptly met at the North. I inclose herewith a copy of a letter* this day addressed by me (through the commanding general Department of
":: See next, ante. 4 R R — VOL XLIX, PT II
50 KY., S. W. VA., TENN., N. & C. GA., MISS., ALA., & W. FLA.
the Gulf) to Col. S. B. Holabird, chief quartermaster Department of the Gulf. This letter was called forth in part (and the first part of it was written to Colonel Holabird before the receipt of the letter of General Hurlbut) by the following, which is an extract from a semi-official letter from Colonel Holabird to myself, dated March 18 :
Permit me to suggest separate money estimates for the "outside" department, Mobile Bay, and the month's advance estimates for material required by present orders. It will fix responsibility in such matters upon a secure basis. How can this depot anticipate the wants of your army if the army itself cannot do it?
I trust my instructions to Colonel Holabird will meet with the approval of the major-general commanding. I would mention that for a month prior to my leaving New Orleans the chief quartermaster Department of the Gulf sent many of his estimates for supplies to the Quartermaster-General through my office, giving as a reason therefor that he believed an approval by myself would facilitate the sending of the supplies.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. G. SAWTELLE, Lieut. Col. and Chief Quarter master , Mil. Div. of West Miss.
[Inclosure.]
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF,
New Orleans, March 18, 1865. Lieut. Col. C. T. CHRISTENSEN,
Assistant Adjutant- General :
I beg leave very respectfully to call the attention of the major-general commanding to the condition of supplies for the army in the field, so far as derived from the depots here. It will be seen that the small-arms have already given out under the unusual calls. Very heavy demands may be expected at any time upon the quartermaster's department. Colonel Holabird, as chief quartermaster Department of the Gulf, esti mates in advance only for the presumed wants of the department itself. I assume, of course, that Colonel Sawtelle has made the necessary esti mates for the probable wants of the force in the field, and ordered such supplies to such points or depots as his judgment has already selected. Without some such action the depots here will not be able to meet the requisitions likely to come. Unless this has been done already, I respectfully suggest that full estimates for quartermaster's supplies and ordnance stores be made at once and an officer sent to expedite their transmission. Claims are being daily presented in relation to trans port steamers taken and in service. I would respectfully recommend that they be appraised, valued, and taken up regularly, which the claimants inform me has not been done. These suggestions may not be necessary and are perhaps superfluous, but I have seen much evil and delay by relying, without sufficient data, upon an unprepared depot for supplies; and, even at the risk of being considered as officiously inter meddling, I take the liberty of presenting these suggestions. It is very certain that the depots of this department are not prepared for the probable drafts upon them and that estimates for the troops in the field have not gone forward from these headquarters. I am, sir, your obedient servant,
S. A. HURLBUT, Major- General, Commanding.
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 51
SPECIAL ^ HEADQUARTERS ARMY AND DIVISION FIELD ORDERS, > OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
No. 14. ) Fort Gaines, March 21, 1865.
*******
2. Capt. William A. Gordon, assistant adjutant-general of volunteers, will, upon his arrival at New Orleans, La., proceed to Fort Gaines, Ala., and report to Brig. Gen. T. Kilby Smith, commanding District of South Alabama, for assignment to temporary duty. As soon as he is fit for field service he will join Major-General Osterhaus, chief of staff to the major-general commanding.
3. Colonel Moore, commanding First Brigade, Third Division, Six teenth Army Corps, at Cedar Point, will, upon the arrival of the nec essary transports, embark without delay and proceed to join the corps at Dannelly's Mills, on Fish Eiver, Ala.
By order of Maj. Gen. E. E. S. Canby:
C. T. CHEISTENSEN, Lieutenant- Colonel and Assistant Adjutant- General.
HDQRS. SECOND BRIO., THIRD Div., 13TH ARMY CORPS,
East Fork of Fish River, March 21, 1865—4 p. m. Capt. J. D. EOUSE,
Acting Assistant Adjutant- General:
SIR : I have the honor to report the head of my column near Mag nolia, Fish Eiver, and that 1 expect to get all my artillery and trains up and in camp by dark to-night. The camp-ground is very good, and there is enough room to accommodate a corps. The roads from this point (East Fork of Fish Eiver) to Magnolia are very bad, owing to the late rains. I would also respectfully report that three brigades of the Sixteenth Army Corps and the pontoon trains have arrived and landed opposite Magnolia.
Hoping that the above will prove satisfactory, I am, sir, very respect fully, your obedient servant,
HENEY BEETEAM,
Col. Twentieth Wisconsin, Comdg. First Brigade, Second Division.
Per M. E. EVEESZ, Lieutenant and Aide- de- Camp.
SPECIAL ORDERS, ^ HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY FORCES,
> MILITARY DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI, No. 9. ) New Orleans, La., March 21, 1865.
*******
II. The commanding officers of the First Florida and Second Maine Cavalry are hereby directed to report with their commands for duty to Brig. Gen. T. J. Lucas.
*******
By order of Bvt. Maj. Gen. B. H. Grierson:
S. L. WOODWAED, Captain and Assistant Adjutant- General.
52 KY., S. W. VA., TENN., N. & C. GA., MISS., ALA., & W. FLA.
HDQRS. CAVALRY FORCES, MIL. Div. OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
New Orleans, La., March 21, 18ti~>. Brig. Gen. T. J. LUCAS,
Commanding Separate Brigade:
GENERAL: inclosed please find order* directing the First Florida and Second Maine Cavalry to report to you for duty. You will organ ize your command into a division of two brigades of three regiments each. Immediately upon the reception of this, you will reply, desig nating the regiments you desire to compose the brigades and the names of the brigade commanders. The order organizing the division will then be issued from these headquarters. Horses sufficient to finish the remount of your command will be sent over at the earliest practi cable moment. Dispose of your regiments in such a manner as to make the two brigades as nearly equal in size as possible. Send tri- monthly reports, rosters, reports of arms, ammunition, and accouter- ments on hand and required, pertaining to the First Florida and Second Maine Cavalry, at the earliest possible moment. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
B. H. GKIERSON, Brevet Major- (} en era I.
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF WEST TENNESSEE,
Memphis , Tenn., Mar eh 21, Itftio. Brevet Brigadier-General SHANKS,
Commanding First Brigade Cavalry, near Germantown: I enjoin upon you to maintain the strictest discipline over the troops with you. Allow no straggling and no resident of the country to be disturbed. If any depredations are committed, you will ascertain at once the amount of damage done and inflict prompt and summary punishment, and stop the pay of the command by whom the depreda tions were committed until the loss is made good. You will press no horses or mules from any person who is behaving himself properly. Respectfully, yours, &c.,
C. C. WASHBUKN,
Major- General.
NASHVILLE, Mar eh 22, 18(15 — 8 p. m.
(Received 23d.) Lieut. Gen. IT. S. GRANT,
City Point :
Yrour telegram of 4 p. m. 21st received. General Craft embarked with his command here on the 14th. I learned through the news papers that General Sheridan did not go toLynchburg and so informed General Stoneman.
GEO. H. THOMAS, Major-General, U. 8. Army.
SPECIAL FIELD ORDERS, ) HDQRS. DEFT. OF THE CUMBERLAND,
No. 75. ] Nashville, March 22, 1865.
* * * * _ # * *
X. The following assignments and changes in the garrison artillery of posts within the department are hereby made, viz: Company I,
* See next, ante.
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 53
First Regiment Ohio Volunteer Light Artillery, Capt. II. Dilger com manding, is relieved from duty at Chattanooga, Tenn., and assigned to duty at Daltqn, Ga., reporting without delay to the commanding officer
Michigan Artillery, Capt. J. C. Schuetz commanding, is relieved from duty at Chattanooga, and will report without delay to Captain Davies, First Wisconsin Heavy Artillery, to be stationed at points between the Hiwassee and Athens. Tenn.; the Tenth Ohio Battery, Capt. J. R. Grain commanding, is relieved from duty at Nashville, Tenn., and will report without delay to Captain Davies, First Wisconsin Heavy Artil lery, to be stationed at points between Athens and London, Tenn.; the Second Minnesota Battery, Capt. W. A. Kotchkiss commanding, is relieved from duty at Chattanooga, and will report without delay to the commanding officer post of London, Tenn., for duty; the Seventh Indiana Battery, Lieut. William Stokes commanding, is relieved from duty at Chattanooga, and will report to Capt. William A. Hotchkiss, Second Minnesota Battery, to be stationed at London, Teiin., and between that point and Knoxville, Tenn.; Company F, Second U. S. Artillery, upon the completion of its present duty at Brentwood, will proceed to Bridgeport, Ala., and form part of the garrison of that post. The following named batteries are relieved from duty at Nashville, Tenn., and will proceed without delay to the following-named posts, to which they are assigned: Company K, First Tennessee Artillery, to Knoxville, Tenn.: Company C, First Tennessee Artillery, to Johnson- ville, Tenn.; Company F, Second Illinois Artillery, to Clarksville, Tenn.; Third Ohio Battery, to Fort Donelson, Tenn.
* * * * # # #
By command of Major-General Thomas:
SOUTHARD HOFFMAN,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,
Nashville, March 22, 1S65. Maj. Gen. D. S. STANLEY,
New Market, East Tenn. :
Elliott's division will be sent forward as soon as possible. I therefore wish you to get your command ready at once. After reaching Bull's Gap protect the construction corps under Mr. L. H. Eicholtz, acting chief engineer, and push forward the repairs of the railroad to Carter's Sta tion, on the Watauga, at which point post two divisions of the corps, sending the other to Kingsport, to hold the pass into East Tennessee from Virginia through that place. Then you will, with Tillson on your right, stationed in the pass through the Smoky Range, cover all the approaches from Virginia and North Carolina to East Tennessee as far as Knoxville and be a substantial reserve for Stoneman to fall back on should he encounter more of the enemy than he can handle.
GEO. H. THOMAS, Major- General, U. S. Army, Commanding.
54 KY., S. W. VA., TENN., N. & C. GA., MISS., ALA., & W. FLA.
CIRCULAR, ) HDQRS. THIRD DIVISION, FOURTH ARMY CORPS, No. 16. 5 New Market, East Tenn., March 22, 1865.
The general commanding desires to call the attention of the com mand to the fact that we are now in a country inhabited, in a great majority, by loyal people, and the practice heretofore prevailing of using fence rails for fuel purposes must be discontinued, as these peo ple cannot raise crops for their own maintenance if their fences are destroyed, and the Government will have to ship provisions here for their support. Parties sent out for wood must cut the wood, and under no circumstances will the fences or buildings of loyal citizens be allowed to be disturbed or destroyed. By command of Major-General Wood:
M. P. BESTOW, Assistant Adjutant- General.
CIRCULAR.] HDQRS. FIFTH DIVISION, CAVALRY CORPS,
MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Eastport, Miss., March 22, 1865.
Thereby assume command of all troops of the Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the Mississippi, remaining here. Quartermasters of the First, Second, and Fourth Divisions will immediately move all Govern ment property from the right bank of the river to Eastport, Miss., apply ing to Captain Warren, assistant quartermaster, for transportation. All detachments of the First, Second, and Fourth Divisions will report to these headquarters.
EDWAKD HATCH, Brigadier- General, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,
Nashville, March 22, 1865. Major-General STONEMAN,
Knoxville :
Your telegram of yesterday received. I have directed Colonel Mackay, chief quartermaster, Army of the Cumberland, to go to Knox- ville, where he can overlook and regulate all matters pertaining to the quartermaster's department. You can communicate with him about all matters in his department, and save the time necessary to commu nicate with General Donaldson. Of course, I wish you to husband your horses and men as much as possible until you can get into Virginia, where your hard work will commence.
GEO. H. THOMAS, Major- General, 17. S. Army, Commanding.
GENERAL ORDERS, ) HDQRS. DISTRICT OF EAST TENNESSEE,
No. 21. j Knoxville, Tenn., March 22, J865.
I. During the absence in the field of the major-general commanding, Col. H. G. Gibson, Second Ohio Heavy Artillery, will, in addition to his other duties, take charge of office of district headquarters and attend to the current business in the name of the general commanding. This does not contemplate the authorizing of any changes in the stand ing orders from these headquarters.
By command of Major-General Stoneman :
G. M. BASCOM, Major and Assistant Adjutant- General.
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 55
CIRCULAR.] HDQRS. DISTRICT OF EAST TENNESSEE,
Knoxville, Tenn., March 22, 1865.
I. No private property will be taken possession of by officers in this district, except by officers of the quartermaster's department, who will in all cases give a proper voucher for the same, certifying on the face of the voucher that the property was taken and was necessary for pub lic uses ; that the value of the property is as stated ; that the property taken has been or will be accounted for on their regular monthly returns ; and also certify to the loyalty or disloyalty of the claimant, so far as known. This voucher must be approved by the commanding officer of the officer taking the property. Each officer will be held responsible to the Treasury Department for all property thus taken. The voucher given in accordance with this circular will be presented by the claim ant to the disbursing quartermaster of the district, who will, if in funds, pay for the property and invoice it to the officer taking the same; or if not in funds, approve or disapprove the voucher and return it to the claimant.
II. The practice of officers taking private property indiscriminately and giving memorandum receipts therefor, thereby causing serious loss and inconvenience to the citizens of East Tennessee, is positively for bidden. Any officer violating the provisions of this order will subject himself to charges and trial by general court-martial.
By command of Major-General Stoueman:
K. MOEEOW, Captain and Assistant Adjutant- General.
GENERAL ORDERS, ) HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF KENTUCKY,
No. 14. j Louisville, Ky., March 22, 1865.
All orders heretofore issued in this department excluding the circu lation of the Cincinnati Enquirer are hereby revoked. By command of Major-General Palmer:
E. B. HAELAN, Captain and Assistant Adjutant- General.
HDQRS. ARMY AND DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
Dannelltfs Mills, March 22, 1865. Lieut. Col. C. G. SAWTELLE,
Chief Quartermaster, Military Division of West Mississippi: COLONEL: None of the troops from Cedar Point having arrived yet, and General Granger's column not being expected at this point before to-niorrow night, no troops will leave beyond Danuelly's Mills in the course of to-morrow (23d), and you are therefore requested to continue to send forward the transportation of the Sixteenth Army Corps as rapidly as the proper transportation can be had. The larger class of boats may be employed between Mobile Point, Fort Gaines, and the mouth of Fish Eiver, while the lighter crafts will do better as tenders between that point and these headquarters. Forage and rations are very much needed. The supplies ordered to be shipped yesterday have not yet come up. They ought to be here now. Please see after them. If any change should take place, notice for the masters of steam-boats will be left with the naval station at the mouth of Fish Kiver. You will kindly instruct the parties accordingly.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
P. J. OSTEEHAUS, Major-General and Chief of Staff.
56 KY., S. W. VA , TENN., N. & C. GA., MISS., ALA., & W. FLA.
MILITARY DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
OFFICE OF CHIEF QUARTERMASTER,
Fort Gaines, Ala., March 22, 1865. General P. J. OSTERHAUS,
Chief of Staff, &c. :
GENERAL: I have just received the instructions of the major-gen eral commanding to forward commissary stores and forage at once to Dannelly's Mills for the army. I have the honor to report that last evening orders were given to load the Tamaulipas with commissary stores for Fish River and the Jenny Rogers with 1,000 sacks forage. The Tamaulipas will be loaded and will start about 2 o'clock to-day. The Jenny Rogers was blown ashore in the norther now blowing and disabled, with 000 sacks grain on board, 96,000 pounds (both of her chimneys off). The Tarascon has just started for Navy Cove to load 1,000 sacks of oats and wagons and ambulances for the Sixteenth Corps. 1 will continue to send forage forward as rapidly as possible. The steamer Swaim left here last night for Cedar Point, having on board enough commissary stores for Colonel Moore's brigade, now there, to last until the 31st instant. The A. G. Drown was also sent last night to Cedar Point, and the two tin-clads go this morning. These, with the Swaim, will entirely finish transporting Colonel Moore's brigade to Fish River. There are still remaining here six teen pieces of artillery with their animals belonging to General A. J. Smith's command. 1 am now loading the Lockwood for Fish River with as much of this artillery as she can take and some baggage of the Sixteenth Army Corps. The White Cloud No. 2 is badly ashore iri Grant's Pass with men and means of transportation for the Six teenth Army Corps from New Orleans. I shall send to her relief the first suitable steamer I can spare. A mail has just arrived from New Orleans by the Alabama, which I send you under charge of Captain Melville, aide-de-camp. I respectfully represent that owing to the fact that quartermasters have not made the returns and reports which they have been called upon to furnish daily, and for the reason that the number of animals sent to the front have gone in detachments at dif ferent times and supplied up to different dates (some by vessels from Navy Cove, of which 1 have as yet no record), it is impossible for me to know the exact or even approximate amount of forage taken by the different portions of this army, or the amount required to comply with the instructions to-day received from the commanding general to send a sufficient supply to last until the 31st instant. 1 would respectfully request that commanding generals of corps be directed to cause to be sent to me daily, or as often as opportunity offers, an exact or approx imate statement of the number of animals with their respective com mands at the front, and a statement of the amount of forage on hand. Until more accurate data is received by me I shall continue to send for ward as much forage as the means at my command will permit, as the orders of the commanding general seem urgent, and Captain Melville represents that forage is greatly needed. The Starlight has just reported from Daunelly's Mills and I have directed that she be loaded at once with 1,000 sacks of grain (about 160,1 (H) pounds) and 50 bales of hay, and that she take no other load, to avoid delay and to diminish as much as possible her chances of getting aground. The matters belonging to headquarters that could not go on the Mustang I have put on board the Starlight.
I am, general, hurriedly, but very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. G. SAAVTELLE, Lieut. Col. and Chief Quarter master , Mil. Div. of West Mississippi.
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 57
The 2,000 sacks of grain sent by the Starlight and Tarascon gives eight days7 rations of grain for 4,000 animals (ten pounds to the ration).
0. (1. S.
HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF SIGNAL OFFICER,
New Orleans, La., March 22, 1865. Lieut. Col. C. T. CHRISTENSEN,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Military Division of West Mississippi : COLONEL: I have the honor to submit to your consideration the fol lowing" report of information received at this office this 22d day of March, 1805: Lieutenant Curtiss reports from Baton Rouge, March 18, that Colonel Scott took with him from Eastern Louisiana the First, Third, and Fifth Regiments Louisiana Cavalry and Ogden's battalion, from 800 to 1,000. He is reported to have gone in the direction of Mobile. Other reports represent him in Northern Mississippi with For rest. The forces now in the District of East Louisiana are Col. Frank Powers' Fourth Louisiana Cavalry and Colonel Griffith's Eleventh Arkansas Mounted Infantry, with a few companies of independent scouts, numbering in all about 800 men. On the loth Colonel Powers was at Greeusburg, Saint Helena Parish, and headquarters of district at Beaver Creek. Lieutenant Curtiss thinks the enemy are making preparations to evacuate the country this side of Pearl River.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. M. JACKSON, Major, Tenth U. 8. Colored Heavy Artillery.
(In absence of Capt. S. M. Eaton.)
SPECIAL ORDERS, \ HDQRS. MIL. Div. OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
No. 81. ) New Orleans, La., March 22, ISM.
1. So much of Special Orders, No. 2, dated headquarters Cavalry Forces, Military Division of West Mississippi, March 13, 18(35, which announces Maj. P. D. Vroorn, Second New Jersey Cavalry, as acting assistant inspector-general of the Cavalry Forces, Military Division of West Mississippi, is hereby approved.
*******
3. Capt. James E. Harrison, Fifth U. S. Cavalry, special inspector of cavalry of this division, will proceed without delay to Memphis, Tenn., for the purpose of urging forward the cavalry ordered from there by letter from these headquarters Marcli 4, 1865. He will return to this city with as little delay as possible. By order of Maj. Gen. E. R. S. Canby.
C. H. DYER, Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General.
SPECIAL ^ HDQRS. ARMY AND Div. OF WEST Miss., FIELD ORDERS, > On Board Steamer Mustang, Week** Bay,
No. 15. ) Mouth of Fish River, Ala., March 22, 1865.
*******
2. Brigadier-General Knipe, or the officer in command of his cavalry at Navy Cove, Ala,, will hold his troops in preparation to move for ward by the road taken by General Granger as soon as detachments of 1,500 to 2,000 horses have been collected. He will take care that
58 KY., S. W. VA., TENN., N. & C. GA., MISS., ALA., & W. FLA.
his flanks and rear are properly protected, and will keep his troops well in hand to guard against surprise. Reports will be made to these headquarters by every steamer leaving Fort Gaines as long as there are any of the cavalry left at Navy Cove.
3. The chief quartermaster of the division will replace the fatigue details now employed at the depots of Dauphin Island and Mobile Point, and belonging to organizations designated for field service, by civilians hired in the city of New Orleans.
4. The officer commanding the cavalry at Navy Cove, Ala., will detach 150 to 200 picked men, under first-class officers, to proceed as soon as a light-draft steamer can be furnished, to Smith's Mills, on Fish Eiver, and report to the major-general for special service. The chief quartermaster will furnish the necessary transportation.
*******
By order of Maj. Gen. E. E. S. Canby:
C. T. CHEISTENSEN,
Lieutenant- Colonel and Assistant Adjutant- General.
HDQRS. ARMY AND DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
Dannelly^s Mills, March 22, 1865. Maj. Gen. GORDON GRANGER,
Commanding Thirteenth Army Corps :
GENERAL : The First Brigade, Second Division, of your corps has arrived here and crossed the river. General Canby directs me to say that you may on your arrival at the river cross all of your command except one brigade, which is to be left east of the river. Colonel Bertram's command, if out of rations, can be supplied in the course of the afternoon from boats, and it will be unnecessary to send back to the train.
Yery respectfully, your obedient servant,
P. JOS. OSTEEHAUS,
Chief of Staff.
HDQRS. ARMY AND DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
Dannelly's Mills, on Fish Eiver, March 22, 1865. Maj. Gen. GORDON GRANGER,
Commanding Thirteenth Army Corps:
SIR : The major-general commanding has instructed Captain Palfrey to leave this place early to-morrow morning with a view of exploring the roads toward Magnolia and to the head of your column. He will lay before you a full report as to the condition and practicability of these roads, in order that you may select the one which is in your opinion the most preferable.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. T. CHEISTENSEN, Lieutenant- Colonel and Assistant Adjutant- General.
HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., SECOND Div., 13TH ARMY CORPS,
In the Field, March 22, 1865. Lieutenant-Colonel CHRISTENSEN,
Assistant Adjutant- General :
COLONEL: I have the honor to inclose a dispatch just received from Brigadier-General Ben ton for the information of the major-
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. — UNION. 59
general commanding, and respectfully ask instructions as to sending back for rations. From what 1 can ascertain from the bearer of the dispatch, General Benton's advance is six miles from the river, moving up slowly.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
HENRY BERTRAM:,
Colonel, Commanding Brigade.
[Inclosure.]
HDQRS. THIRD DIVISION, THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
In the Field, Ala., March 22, 1865. Col. H. BERTRAM,
Commanding First Brigade, Second Division :
You will exercise a sound discretion as to moving your command, but if possible you will move to Fish River and repair the road to the same. General Granger directs that upon your arrival there you will communicate to Major-General Canby that his command is in a quag mire and corduroying the road, and will move up as soon as possible. If you find the road impassable, you will send back men and mules to get rations and forage for your command, as they cannot be sent for ward until the road is corduroyed. By order of Brig. Gen. W. P. Benton:
JOHN D. ROUSE, Captain and Acting Assistant Adjutant- General.
HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., SECOND Div., 13TH ARMY CORPS,
In the Field) near Dannelly's MillS) March 22, 1865. Capt. JOHN D. ROUSE,
Acting Assistant Adjutant- General:
CAPTAIN : I have the honor to report that I arrived with my entire command at Fish River, opposite Dannelly's Mills, last night. Major- General Canby, having a pontoon bridge constructed, directed me to move to the north side of Fish River at daylight this morning. I did accordingly, and moved into line of battle with the Sixteenth Army Corps, by direction of Major-General Canby. An attack from the enemy being expected, I reported to Major-General Canby the condition of the roads and your probable whereabouts. I will send your letter to him immediately and await instructions as to sending back for rations. Major-General Smith has been kind enough to lend me a small amount until your train comes up. I have procured sufficient forage to last the command to-day and probably to-morrow.
Hoping to see you up here soon, I remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
HENRY BERTRAM,
Colonel, Commanding.
HDQRS. ARMY AND DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
Dannelly's Mills, March 22, 1865. Col. H. BERTRAM,
Comdg. First Brigade, Second Division, Thirteenth Army Corps:
SIR : I am instructed by the major-general commanding to inform you
that the boats which arrived here this afternoon brought no subsistence
stores. It is believed, however, that one or more will arrive during the
night, and he advises you to send three or four wagons down to the
60 KV., S. W. VA., TENN., N. & C. GA., MTSS., ALA., &. W. FLA.
landing early to-morrow morning. Should no boats have then arrived, he wishes you to have the wagons go forward to meet General Granger, and for tins reason it will be necessary to have them accompanied with an escort.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. T. OHRISTENSEN, Lieutenant- Colonel and A ss-istant A d jut ant- General.
SPECIAL FIELD ORDERS, ^ HDQRS. 3i> Div., 13Tii ARMY CORPS,
No. T>. \ In the Field, Ala., March X:,>, ./M>.
This command will move at 2 p. in. this day. Two days' rations will be drawn immediately. The command will move in the following order: First Brigade, Twenty-first New York .Battery, Third Brigade, division train, supply train. The commanding ofticer First Brigade will detail one company as advance guard, and the commanding officer Third Brigade one regiment as rear guard and to assist the train. By order of Brig. Gen. AVillia.ni 1*. Ben ton:
,1. 1). ROUSE, Captain and Acting Assistant Adjutant- General.
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF WEST FLORIDA,
Barrancas, March X2, 7<sV/.>. Lieut. Ool. C. T. CIIRISTENSEN,
Asst. Adjt. Gen.,.Hdqrx. Army and ./)/>. of West Mississippi : COLONEL: I have the honor to inclose, for the information of the major-general commanding, copy of letter received from Mr. 1) — - in regard, to the rebel forces at Blakely.
I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. ASBOTI1, J>ri</adier- General, Com mandiinj.
[Inolosnre.]
PERDIDO, March 32, ltW~>. General ASBOTII:
SIK : As Mr. Levins is on his way back to the yard, I thought I would drop yon a few lines. The rebels about Blakely are very uneasy. They have sent all the men to that point they could muster or spare fiom Mobile, among them the Fifteenth Confederate, Maury's regi ment. They were to have come across yesterday. The number of men now at Blakely I estimate about 5,000. I think the Federal troops arc somewhere in the vicinity of Spanish Fort. A portion of the army is compelled to move slowly in consequence of the bad state of the roads.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
D .
NASHVILLE, March £9, l$a~> — $.10 a. »t. Lieut. Gen. IT. S. GRANT,
City Point:
I will start to Memphis to-day to see what policy has been heretofore adopted there and to systematize the future policy. Shall be gone about ten days.
GKO. II. THOMAS, Major General, U. S. Army.
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. (U
KNOXVILLE, March %:-}, _/<%'.-;. Major- General THOMAS:
One brigade of Kimball's starts to Bull's Gap to-morrow; will reach that place on Sunday; the rest to follow as soon as transportation arrives. The, transportation of one division has not cjuite all arrived. i will lose no time in getting- ahead.
I). S. STANLEY,
Major -General.
K:\o\\ ILLE, March £.';, /<W.-7 — /o..-;.-7 a.m. Major-General KIMBALL:
One hundred of your wagons started this morning. Six days' rations will be sent this evening. Start one brigade as soon as you can to-morrow to go to Kussellville and to keep with the construction corps, the rest of the division to follow as soon as your transportation joins you. Rations can now be sent by railroad to .Kussellville. I will come up to-morrow.
D. S. STANLEY.
Major -General.
HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, FOURTH ARMY CORPS,
titra iv berry Plains, Tcnn., March ;?.>, ltifi'5.' Maj. Gen. I). S. STANLEY,
Commanding Fourth Army Corps:
A member of the home guard reports a force of mounted rebels, rumored 300 strong, in the direction of Maynardville; last heard from six miles from here. The captain of the home guard sends word that he had information this morning of the approach of the party, and he is gathering his men. I have acted upon the rumor so much as to send guards to Koxbury Creek bridge.
i am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
N. KIM BALL,
lj Commanding.
KNOXVILLE, Man-h ;/'/, /,SY;/; — .9 p. m. Major-General KIMBALL:
Maynardville is north of Clinch River. Did you understand those rebel parties to be on the north side of Clinch f Answer soon.
1). S. STANLEY,
Major- Gen er« L
KNOXVILLE, March 23, 18(ti — .9..:,v) p. m. General KIMBALL:
Send a regiment at daylight to ascertain the facts and find out what direction the rebs have taken, and what they are up to. May there not be a mistake?
D. S. STANLEY.
Major-General.
62 KY., S. W. VA., TENN., N. & C. GA., MISS., ALA., & W. FLA.
HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, FOURTH ARMY CORPS,
Strawberry Plains. Tenn., March 23, 1865. Col. L. H. WATERS,
Comdg. Third Brigade, First Division, Fourth Army Corps : The general commanding directs that you send a regiment to-morrow at daylight in the vicinity of Blain's Cross- Roads, to ascertain the facts in relation to the mounted rebel force reported to be in that vicinity. He wishes a courier to be sent with the regiment, who may be sent back to these headquarters with the first information acquired. The command sent will return to your camp by night-fall, except further orders be given in the case.
I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
ED. D. MASON, Captain and Assistant Adjutant- General,
NASHVILLE, TENN., March 23, 1865. Brig. Gen. W. L. ELLIOTT,
Hunisville, Ala.:
Yours of the 22d received. Generals Thomas and Whipple have left town. I do not think that it is the intention that the order of the gen eral commanding will interfere with the order of shipment of General Stanley.
SOUTHARD HOFFMAN,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
CIRCULAR, ) HDQRS. THIRD Div., FOURTH ARMY CORPS, No. 17. | New Market, East Tenn., March 23, 1865.
The scarcity of provisions that exists at this time is owing to the fact that the railroad is occupied fully in the transmission of troops; but that will soon be over, and the railroad can then be used to its full capacity in bringing forward supplies. In addition to this the com manding general of the division has suggested to the commanding gen eral of the corps (who has made the request to the commanding general of the department) the propriety of bringing up provisions by steam boat to Knoxville, which will, without doubt, be acted upon promptly, and the troops will thus in a few days be fully and amply supplied. In the meantime the troops of this command must bear this privation with fortitude, and commit no depredations or do unauthorized foraging or other acts unworthy of soldiers. Every effort within his power will be made by the commanding general to have the troops placed on full rations at the earliest date possible. By command of Major-General Wood:
"M. P. BESTOW, Assistant Adjutant- General.
HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. Div. OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Russellville, Ala., March 23, 1865. Brig. Gen. E. M. McCooK,
Commanding First Division :
GENERAL: General Wilson desires that you will push on to this place as fast as possible. There is plenty of forage here. Upon your
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. — UNION. 63
arrival at this place take the road to Allen's Factory and from thence to Thorn Hill. Upton's command and train are probably at Newburg now.
I am. general, very respectfully, your obedient servant.
E. B. BEAUMONT, Major and Assistant Adjutant- General.
(Same to Brig. Gen. Eli Long.)
HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, CAVALRY CORPS,
At the foot of the Mountain, March 23, 1865. Maj. E. B. BEAUMONT,
Assistant Adjutant- General :
I am moving as rapidly as I can. The pontoon train and general headquarters train are on the road in front of me and keeps my col umn back. Of course I can't pass them on this road, Avhich is very bad. Captain Creager will tell you the difficulties we have to overcome. I have to cut a new road for some distance below here. My impres sion is that I can't get farther than Frankfort to-night. I will march, however, as far as practicable, and when things get straightened out here probably go on ahead to find General Wilson. Be kind enough to send me back word by my staff officer where you will be found this evening, and also any additional instructions you may have to com municate.
E. M. McCOOK, Brigadier- General, Commanding Division.
HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. Div. OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Russellville, Ala., March 23, 1865 — 5 p. m. [Brigadier-General McCooK:]
GENERAL : Your note is received. Am sorry the trains went by the Frankfort road. Upton's train passed here by 1 p. m., and will reach Newburg to-night. From Frankfort you had better incline to the south, cross Cedar Creek at Jones' (Smith's) Bridge, and move by a ridge road of which the citizens speak to the old military road, striking it about six miles from here, and crossing to the direct road to Tuscaloosa, intersecting it on Bear Creek, at Allen's Mill. The road is reported to be good. The people about Frankfort can tell you about it. I shall try to reach Thorn Hill to-morrow night. Long will come here and take the Tuscaloosa road to same place. Very respectfully,
J. H. WILSON,
Brevet Major- General.
ON THE MOUNTAIN, March 23, 1865. Brig. Gen. J. T. CROXTON,
Commanding First Brigade:
The general commanding directs that you move forward with your brigade, and if the artillery and train cannot pass the wagons that
64 KY., S. W. VA., TENN., N. & C. GA., MISS., ALA., & W. FLA.
are stuck in the mud, you will cause sucli wagons to be taken to pieces and set to one side of the road, and have them move on as rapidly as possible.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN M. BACON, Major and Acting Assistant Adjutant- General.
IN THE FIELD, March 23, ISfti. Brig. Gen. J. T. CROXTON,
Commanding First Brigade:
I will leave for Eussellville before daylight in order to see General Wilson. Be kind enough to take charge of the column until I return. I will probably meet you before you reach Frankfort. If not, march on toward Eussellville. If you think it practicable or advisable, you can pass Long's train with the column, if it is in your way. Miller has sent a letter, which Major Beaumont will show you, stating that there is forage below Frankfort and Eussellville both. Captain Bishop has just come in, reporting the condition of the train, and that you will try to get them up the mountain to-night. The roads up here are very good, and the train once up can move without trouble. The pontoon train is in camp only four or five miles from here. I Avill have La Grange start in the morning in advance — it will save time — and get his troops to Eussellville. I Avill order him to leave a regiment and his pioneers to take charge of train from top of mountain. Eespectfully, your obedient servant,
E. M. McOOOK,
Brigadier- Genera I, Com man ding.
HEADQUARTERS SECOND DIVISION CAVALRY,
Frankfort^ Ala., March 2o ', 1865 — 3 p. m. Maj. E. B. BEAUMONT,
Assistant Adjutant- General, Cavalry Corps,
Military Division of the Mississippi, RusseUville, Ala.: MAJOR: I have just arrived here with the head of my column. My division train will probably all get in camp here by dark. The pontoon train will probably camp about six miles from here, with one regiment as a guard. They will not be more than able to make Eussellville by to-morrow night. The roads have been very bad, and their wagons being heavily loaded their mules are very tired. I will, if nothing prevents, wait here until the pontoon train closes up to-morrow, and then move on to Eussellville, probably arriving there with my column by 1 p. m.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
ELI LONG, ]>ri<jadier- Genera L
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH DIVISION,
Eussellville, March 23, 1865 — 1.30 p. m. Brevet Major-General WILSON,
Commanding Cavalry Corps:
GENERAL : Leading brigade of my division is to the left and opposite this place, marching for Newburg. The Second Brigade struck from
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 65
Throckmorton's Mill still farther to the left. Will camp near Newburg. Find from information that the best way to Jasper is via Newburg and Mount Hope, running down the left bank of the Sipsey. Will take best road to Jasper, and thence to the point mentioned beyond Black War rior. Please send instructions. Moving splendidly. Very respectfully,
E. UPTON, Brevet Major -General, Commanding.
HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. Div. OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Russellville, Ala., March 23, 1865. Brevet Major-General UPTON,
Commanding Fourth Division, Cavalry Corps :
GENERAL : General Wilson directs that you push on by the road indi cated in your note. Corps headquarters will be at Thorn Hill to-inorrow evening, probably. Please send word to-night with regard to the road to Jasper from Mount Hope as nearly as you can the direction it takes; also whether you can find a road down to Warriortown and Democrat. In case you should not hear of me again push on to some point on the line of march beyond Jasper, where you can subsist your command and wait for the balance of the command. I shall probably travel by Thorn Hill on the most direct road to Jasper, and shall travel as fast as possible. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. B. BEAUMONT, Major and Assistant Adjutant- General.
SPECIAL ORDERS, ^ HDQRS. FOURTH Div., CAV. CORPS,
> MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI, No. 29. ) Neicburg, Ala., March 23, 1865^
This division will move to-morrow morning at 5.30 in the follow ing order: First, Second Brigade, Brevet Brigadier-General Alexander commanding ; second, First Brigade, Brevet Brigadier-General Winslow commanding; third, Battery I, Fourth Artillery, will follow the leading- regiment of the Second Brigade. The First Brigade will not move until G.30. The train will follow the troops, and the commanding officer of the First Brigade will detail one regiment to act as guard to the train.
By order of Brevet Major-General Upton:
JAMES W. LATTA,
Assistant Adjutant- General,
EASTPORT, March 23, 1&65, Maj. Gen. GEORGE H. THOMAS:
I earnestly request arms may be forwarded to my command. I am not half filled. Send me muskets if carbines cannot be obtained. Cap tain Budd, Second Iowa Cavalry, has been sent to Nashville to receive arms, if they can be obtained.
EDWAKD HATCH,
Brigadier- General. 5 R R — VOL XLIX, PT ii
66 KY., S. W. VA., TENN., N. & C. GA., MISS., ALA., & W. FLA.
MORRISTOWN, [March] 23, 1865.
(Received 25th.) Maj. Gen. GEORGE H. THOMAS,
Nashville :
My command is all up to tliis point and advance as far as Bull's Gap. I shall push on to-morrow in the direction of Greeneville. One brigade will take to the left and be on the railroad between Jonesborough and Carter's Station on the Watauga by day after to-morrow morning. General Tillson will go toward Asheville and am in hopes to catch the small force now at Jonesborotigh. The construction and telegraph corps in this part will bear looking after. Deserters came in to-day direct from Kichmond by railroad to Jonesborough. I hope to be well into Virginia by the 28th. What is the latest reliable news from Washington?
GEOEGE STONEMAN,
Major- General.
FiSH ElVER, ALA., March 23, 1865 — 5.30 p. m. General GRANT,
Washington .
Your dispatch of the 9th has just been received.* Estimates for rail road material and construction had no reference to immediate oper ations, but was made with a view to the future, if we should not be able to open navigation of the Alabama. You cannot regret more than I do the delays that have attended this movement. We have been embar rassed and delayed by rain and wind storms that have not been paral leled in the last forty years. The floods have been general, and embraced the whole section of the Southwest. It was impossible to bridge streams in order to move by land, because the overflow was so great that their banks could not be reached, and the weather on the Gulf has been so tempestuous that our transports could not be used more than half the time, and the services of several have been lost by being driven ashore. We have had now two consecutive bright days, the only two in a month, and a footing upon fair ground. If the Thirteenth Corps gets up to-night, as I hope it will, we will move in the morning for Blakely and will endeavor to open way for the gun boats into the Alabama.
ED. K. S. CANBY,
Major- General.
NEW ORLEANS, March 23, 1865. Major-General CANBY:
GENERAL : I have the honor to make the following report : A mes senger employed by me left Mobile after a stay of some fifteen or twenty days in Mobile. He reports upward of 20,000 troops, with plenty of provisions, and they talk as if they could successfully defend the place. Most of the cotton has been moved out. General Forrest had left Macon. Went up to Tupelo and was going to intercept the raid from Eastport. His force was large, say 15,000. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. C. HUTCHINSON, 115 Carondelet Street, Neiv Orleans.
* See Part I, p. 875.
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 67
HDQRS. ARMY AND DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
Donnelly9 s Mills, March 23, 1865. Lieut. Col. C. B. HINSDILL:
COLONEL: Colonel Christensen will furnish you, for your informa tion, a copy of an order issued to-day in regard to foraging parties while en route.* You will please observe that no receipts shall be given, and as this is to be the policy of the major- general command ing, you will please instruct the officers of your department accord ingly. We probably will leave here to-morrow, and it will be several days before direct communication with Fort Gaines can be had again. Have assorted cargoes of rations prepared in time to be forwarded to the troops as soon as another basis is established, Perhaps it would be well to have one boat so laden at the mouth of Fish River, subject to further orders.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
P. Ji OSTERHAUS,
Chief of Staff.
GENERAL J HEADQUARTERS ARMY AND DIVISION FIELD ORDERS, > OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
No. 8. ) March 33, 1865.
Whenever it shall be deemed necessary for the troops of this com mand to subsist wholly or in part upon the resources of the country through which the army marches, the following rules will be strictly observed: The collection of such supplies will be made by regularly detailed parties from each regiment or battery. The respective com manders will select from 6 to 10 per cent, of their effective strength as foragers, and will give them in charge of one or more commissioned officers, at the rate of one officer to every thirty or thirty -five men. These officers must be held strictly responsible for the behavior of their parties. Great care should therefore be taken in the selection of the officers and men. The officers should not only be energetic and zealous, but also discreet and strict disciplinarians, as it is left to their judgment when, where, and what supplies should be seized. Only the real wants of the troops are to be considered, and all wanton and reck less acts must be suppressed with vigor. The collections ought to be made from the greatest possible number of plantations, in order to divide and thus alleviate the heavy burden on the country. The premises of poor and destitute people must not be interfered with. No foraging parties will be allowed, except on the special written authority of a division or superior commander, to enter dwelling houses, kitchens, &c., nor to disturb the people in the possession of their furniture or supplies necessary for their immediate wants. Horses, mules, and wagons will only be taken by special authority from the proper officers. All articles collected will be brought to the roadside and loaded on the wagons selected for that purpose from the division trains. On arrival in camp the proper officers of the supply departments will distribute the stores. No receipt will be given for any article seized. The lauds to the right and left of the marching column will be the legitimate field of operations of these forage parties, and the officers in charge must, whenever they are compelled to go beyond the regular flank detach ments, secure their men against surprise and capture. The foragers of the leading divisions will under no circumstances go in advance of the advance guard. Parties sent to collect grain and fodder for the animals
* See next, post.
68
KY., S. W. VA., TENN., N. & C. GA., MISS., ALA., & W. FLA.
will be accompanied by a sufficient guard in case it is impracticable for them to operate in connection with the ordinary subsistence forag ing parties. Small foraging parties must be avoided. The details should be made by division, preferably, and at least by brigade. Every forage train will be accompanied by an officer of the quartermaster's department, who will also superintend the equitable distribution of the articles collected. By order of Maj. Gen. E. E. S. Canby :
0. T. CHKISTEKSEN, Lieutenant- Colonel and Assistant Adjutant- General.
SPECIAL ) HEADQUARTERS ARMY AND DIVISION FIELD ORDERS, > OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
"So. 16. ) Dannelly's Mills, on Fish River, A la., March 23, 1865.
*******
10. The following rules for establishing the grand guards will be strictly adhered to: The general outline of the line of guards will be indicated by an officer of the corps staff, and to each division will be assigned a portion of it in its front, or front and flanks. These lines must be far enough in advance of the camps to give not only timely warning of any approach of the enemy, but also to insure ample time to the troops in camp to fall in and form before the enemy can be upon them. The guards must be of sufficient strength to cover the whole front of the camps, and the width of a division deployed in line, or both wings beyond the front (if natural obstacles do not render such precautionary extension unnecessary), and to repel small parties of the enemy which may intend to feel along the picket-line to harass our troops. For these purposes the grand guards will be formed in three lines, viz : First, the line of outposts (sentries); second, the line of guards (pickets); third, the line of reserves. The first line must cover the whole front in one continuous chain, if possible, so that every portion of the entire front would be under complete control. The position of the second line must be carefully selected with a view to defense. Parties sent out by the enemy to reconnoiter or alarm the camps ought to be checked here. The third line (reserves) will be placed between the second line and the camps at such points as will enable them to easily communicate with and re-enforce the more advanced lines. The commander of the grand guard should be habitually with the reserves and act as emergencies may demand. The line of guards (No. 2) must be thrown out at least a mile from the camps, if natural objects do not render it unnecessary or impossible, and the line of outposts (No. 1) half a mile beyond the guards. While the line of outposts must be continuous, the position of the inner lines (Kos. 2 and 3) ought to be in easy supporting distance with each other, and every officer and man should be acquainted with the relative position of the guards to their right and left and in front. A system of patrols toward and along the front of the first line and along the inner lines must be established; also patrols in the direction of the enemy should be sent out whenever the situation of things admits of them. At or shortly before sunrise is the most suitable time for the last-mentioned patrols. The position of the first and second lines should be regularly changed before night-fall. The most complete connection of the three lines through all the divisions of the army is imperative, and the several division picket officers will for that purpose confer with each other when establishing or correcting their lines. When the troops camp in more than one line those in the first line will cover the front,
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 69
and those in rear the flanks and rear, where such precautions are demanded. Anything of importance which may occur at the front must be communicated to these headquarters with as little delay as possible. Eefugees and deserters coming into the lines who may be able to give any information of importance will be sent in person to these head quarters under proper guard.
###•*#**
By order of Maj. Gen. E. E. S. Canby:
C. T. CHEISTENSEN, Lieutenant- Colonel and Assistant Adjutant- General.
HDQRS. ARMY AND DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
Donnelly** Mills, Ala., March 23, 1865. Maj. Gen. GORDON GRANGER,
Commanding Thirteenth Army Corps:
SIR: The major-general commanding directs that the boats now at this point with stores for your corps be unloaded to-night. A guard from Colonel Bertram's brigade has been detailed to superintend the landing and to protect the property until removed by your quarter master. A fatigue detail of 100 men from the Sixteenth Corps is also in readiness. The boats must be released as soon as possible. Very respectfully, &c.,
C. T. CHEISTENSEN, Lieutenant- Colonel and Assistant Adjutant- General.
HEADQUARTERS SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Donnelly's Mills, Ala., March 23, 1865. Maj. Gen. P. J. OSTERHAUS,
Chief of Staff, Military Division of West Mississippi : GENERAL : In compliance with your instructions I have the honor to report the amount of transportation and artillery present with this command: First Division, 45 wagons, 1 ambulance; artillery, Third Indiana Battery, 4 guns. Second Division, 28 wagons, 3 ambulances; artillery, four 12-pounder Napoleons, 4-inch and 3-iuch. Third Division, 6 wagons.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. J. SMITH,
Major- General.
HEADQUARTERS SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Donnelly's Mills, Ala., March 23, 1865. Maj. Gen. P. J. OSTERHAUS,
Chief of Staff, Military Division of West Mississippi: GENERAL: 1 have the honor to report the arrival of the U. S. steam ship 48 and A. G. Brown at Smith's Mills, bringing the Ninety-fifth Illi nois and Forty-fourth Missouri Yolunteer Infantry. The U. S. steam ship has been ordered to the mouth of the river to serve as lighter. The A. G. Brown has been ordered to report to Captain Eundle, depot quartermaster at Fort Gaines.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. J. SMITH,
Major- General.
70 KY., S. W. VA., TENN., N. & C. GA., MISS., ALA., & W. FLA.
HDQRS. U. S. FORCES OPERATING FROM PENSACOLA BAY,
Barren Creek, Fla., March 23, 1865. Lieut. Col. 0. T. CHRISTENSEN,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Hdqrs. Mil. Div. of West Mississippi : COLONEL : It will take us until to-morrow nooii at least to bridge this creek. All the streams are over their banks. The water has never been known to be so high. We shall be considerably delayed on this account. It is probable that all the bridges on the Perdido have been swept away. It would also be difficult for us to cross over to Mobile Bay now on account of high water. I sent to Barrancas for supplies to be sent up the Escambia by steamer. Rebel pickets were encountered on the march to-day, and a small force of cavalry was stationed 011 the north bank of Barren Creek. We have heard firing (we suppose in Mobile Bay) for several days.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
F. STEELE, Major- General, Commanding.
P. S. — We are obliged to corduroy at least one-fourth of the road, and from the best information I can obtain I think the roads are still worse beyond Barren Creek.
HEADQUARTERS FIRST CAVALRY DIVISION, MILITARY DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
Navy Cove, March 23, 1865. Lieut. Col. C. T. CHRISTENSEN,
Assistant Adjutant- General :
SIR : Your communications dated March 22, 1865, aave been received. I have the honor to report that only a portion (about 450 men) of the Fourth Tennessee Cavalry Regiment have arrived at this point. In compliance with your order, 150 men are sent to Smith's Mills. As soon as one brigade has arrived at this point the general commanding cavalry division will be here and move the cavalry according to your orders.
Colonel, I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,
K. LENDER, Captain and Acting Inspector- General.
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF WEST FLORIDA,
Barrancas, March 23, 1865. Lieut. Col. C. T. CHRISTENSEN,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Military Division of West Mississippi: COLONEL: In connection with Special Field Orders, No. 12, extract 5, headquarters Army and Division of West Mississippi, directing that the last regiment of cavalry belonging to General Lucas' cavalry bri gade when arriving at this place be retained in this district, I have the honor to report that only one company of the Fourth Tennessee Cavalry arrived two days ago. I ain informed, however, by Major Perry, who came from New Orleans last night, that four companies of the same reg iment came over with him but were retained at Navy Cove. The exi gencies of the service seem to require that at least a moderate cavalry
-UNION. 71
force be kept within this district to demonstrate on the extreme right of General Steel e's column and to collect horses and beef from the interior before taken out by the rebels, and I would therefore request that the entire regiment of the Fourth Tennessee Cavalry be ordered here, as provided in above special field order.
Very respectfully, colonel, your obedient servant,
ASBOTH, Brigadier- General, Commanding.
[First indorsement.]
Please refer to General Grierson. I think it must be a mistake send ing the company of the Fourth Tennessee Cavalry to Barrancas. What was done with the last regiment of Lucas' cavalry, named in Special Field Orders, No. 12, extract 5?
C. T. CHRISTENSEN, Assistant Adjutant- General.
[Second indorsement.]
HDQRS. CAVALRY FORCES, MIL. Drv. OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
New Orleans, La., April 2, 1865. Respectfully returned.
The company of the Fourth Tennessee Cavalry went to Barrancas by mistake and should be immediately sent to join the regiment. With regard to the last regiment of General Lucas' command, named in Spe cial Field Orders, No. 12, extract 5, I respectfully report that no copy of said extract has been received at these headquarters, and General Lucas' command moved under orders direct from headquarters Mili tary Division of West Mississippi and received no special instructions from me.
B. H. GRIERSON, Brevet Major -General.
GENERAL ORDERS, ) WAR DEPT., ADJT. GENERAL'S OFFICE,
No. 48. ] Washington, March 24, 1865.
Jeffersonville and New Albany, in the State of Indiana, are annexed to the Department of Kentucky. By order of the Secretary of War :
E. D. TOWNSEND, Assistant Adjutant- General.
MORRISTOWN, March 24, 1865 — 7 p. m.
(Received 9 p. m.) Major-General STANLEY,
Commanding Fourth Army Corps:
Word has come in this afternoon and to-night that a rebel force of 300, from direction of French Broad River, will make an attack here to-night. I have about 40,000 rations here. There is a large lot of forage and considerable ammunition and some cars. I think there ought to be some force here. There are only fifteen soldiers here.
R. KING, Captain and Commissary of Subsistence.
72 KY., S. W. VA., TENN., N. «fc C. GA., MISS., ALA., & W. FLA.
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH ARMY CORPS,
New Market, East Tenn., March 24, 1865. Colonel KIRBY,
Near Mossy Greek, Tenn. :
Send forward a regiment as soon as you can before moving to Morris- town. A rebel cavalry force of 300, it is reported, will attack that place to-night. There are 40,000 rations there. By order of Major-General Stanley:
J. S. FULLERTON, Assistant Adjutant- General and Chief of Staff.
MARKET, March 24, 1865 — 10.30 p. m. Colonel KIRBY,
Mossy Creek, Tenn. :
Send the regiment to Morristowii on the railroad train now leaving here for there. Please ship it as soon as possible. By order of Major-General Stanley:
J. S. FULLERTON, Assistant Adjutant- General and Chief of Staff.
KNOXVILLE, March 24, 1865. Major-General KIMBALL:
All of your transportation will join you to-night. Try and get off for Russell ville to-morrow. You will have to send your convalescents in the cars. Supplies will be sent to Morristowii to follow up your wagons. Tell your quartermaster to have forage shipped to Russell ville. Is there a guard for the Strawberry Plains bridge other than your troops?
D. S. STANLEY,
Major- General.
HDQRS. THIRD BRIG., FIRST Div., FOURTH ARMY CORPS,
Strawberry Plains, Tenn., March 24, 1865. Capt. E. D. MASON,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., First Division, Fourth Army Corps : CAPTAIN: Lieutenant-Colonel Lawton has returned and reports that he went two miles beyond Blain's Cross-Roads, but could not hear of any rebel force being in the vicinity. The citizens all agree in saying that no enemy has been in the vicinity to their knowledge. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
L. H. WATERS, Colonel Eighty-fourth Illinois, Commanding.
HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. Drv. OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Three Miles South of Russellville, [March] 24, 1865 — 6 p. m. Maj. Gen. G. H. THOMAS:
My command has passed beyond this place. Upton is on the head of Sipsey to-night. Long and McCook concentrate miles beyond here on the Tuscaloosa road. The latter was delayed by the very bad roads between Frankfort and Chickasaw, but everything is now running smoothly. Chalmers moved, with about 1,800 men, from Columbus on
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 73
Monday, by the way of Jacksonville and Pickensville, toward Tusca- loosa and Moutevallo. General Forrest was heard to say he had 4,000 cavalry, including Jackson's division, at West Point. The rebels evidently expect a move through Ely ton. They are moving everything from Tuscaloosa. We have found plenty of forage so far. Koddey has gone to Tuscaloosa. His men are deserting in large numbers. I send in with this thirty-two prisoners.
J. H. WILSON,
Brevet Major- General.
SPECIAL ) HDQBS. CAV. CORPS. MIL. Div. OF THE Miss., FIELD ORDERS, > Tivo Miles South of Eussellville,
No. 10. ) March 24, 1865—6 p. m.
The corps will continue its march to-morrow in the following order:
I. The First Division, Brigadier-General McOook, at 5.30 a. m., by the Tuscaloosa road, followed by its train; to march as far as the Butta- hatchee. The next day it will march by the most direct route to Eldridge and thence toward Jasper.
II. The Second Division, at 6.30 a. m., by the Tuscaloosa road to Bear Creek and thence toward Thorn Hill. From the latter place toward Eldridge, as far as the little town indicated on the map near the head of Mulberry Fork of the Black Warrior, taking the most direct route from there to Jasper.
III. The Fourth Division will continue its march by Kinlock. By order of Bvt. Mai. Gen. J. H. Wilson:
E. B. BEAUMONT, Major and Assistant Adjutant- General.
HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. Div. OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Thomas East's House, March 24, 1865. Brig. Gen. ELI LONG,
Commanding Second Division, Cavalry Corps:
GENERAL: Your note in regard to the guides is just received. You may allow the one you have to return to his home, and if you wish send a party after S. Krimer, The report of the probability of Forrest meeting us at Fayetteville is not to be relied upon. A very intelligent young man just from Columbus reports that Forrest was in person at that place on Sunday, and that Chalmers' division, reported from 3,800 to 2,500 strong, left that place on Sunday evening and Monday morning for Pickensville, where they were as late as Tuesday morn- ning. From there they were to go to Tuscaloosa, crossing the Sipsey Eiver near a small place called Bridgeville. From Tuscaloosa they were to go to Moutevallo to intercept a raid expected from Tuscuinbia through Ely ton.
Very respectfully,
J. H. WILSON,
Brevet Major- General.
SPECIAL ORDERS, ) HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF KENTUCKY,
No. 25. ] Louisville, Ky., March 24, 1865.
******* 2. By the direction of the Secretary of War, Brig. Gen. S. S. Fry is
relieved from duty at Camp Nelson and will turn over the command to
74 KY., S. W. VA., TENN., N. & C. GA., MISS., ALA., & W FLA.
the senior officer present. Brigadier- General Fry will report to the Adjutant-General of the Army by letter.
#######
By command of Major-General Palmer :
E. B. HAELAN,
Captain and Assistant Adjutant- General.
HDQRS. ARMY AND DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
Dannelhfs Mills, March 24, 1865. Bear- Admiral H. K. THATCHER,
Commanding West Gulf Blockading Squadron:
SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communi cation of yesterday and its inclosure. The rear division of the Thirteenth Army Corps will be up to day, and we move forward to-mor row morning. If the roads are as good as we now hope to find them, we will be able to communicate with you from the neighborhood of Point Zeb to-morrow night, or on the morning of the 26th. We will send back from this place to-morrow a part of our bridge to be towed up the bay to the point that will be selected as our depot. Will you please send up one or two of the tin-clad 3 to convoy it, and any boats that may be here when the troops leave, to the anchorage at the mouth of Fish River, where the bridge material and some of our supplies will remain until they are ordered up the bay. I will communicate with you again to-morrow morning.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. E. S. CANBY, Major- General, Commanding.
FORT GAINES, ALA., March 24, 1865. Maj. Gen. P. J. OSTERHAUS, IT. S. Volunteers,
Chief of Staff, Mil. Div. and Army of West Mississippi :
GENERAL: I have the honor to remind you of your promise on leav ing tbis place on the 21st instant that you would inform me as soon as you saw General Oanby of the probable time I might expect to come forward with my siege train and ordnance supplies. You directed me to remain here and await orders from General Canby, and I suppose the general knows all about the reasons of my being here. Please let me know, if you can form any approximate idea of the time, when I shall probably be expected at headquarters. Tell the general com manding that I can move my batteries at short notice, if Colonel Saw- telle can furnish the water transportation, and that I am anxious to do so when wanted. I am expecting 100 artillerj' horses now every day from New Orleans, and so as to provide the active batteries with any additional ones to which they may be entitled, I respectfully request that you will cause corps commanders to direct their respective battery commanders to make out proper requisitions in time and send them to ine. I send my aide de-camp, Lieutenant Slack, with this, and as he is directed to return to-day you will have an opportunity to send any thing by him you may wish.
Hoping that all are well at headquarters and that everything is going on satisfactorily, I am, very respectfully,
JAS. TOTTEN, Brigadier- General and Chief of Artillery and Ordnance.
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 75
HDQRS. ARMY AND DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
Dannelltfs Mills, March 24, 1865.
Lieut. Col. 0. G. SAWTELLE,
Chief Quartermaster, Military Division of West Mississippi:
COLONEL: The army will be ready to start from here to-morrow morning, and Point Zeb will probably be the place where water com munication can be established next. Any boats laden and sailing with stores for the front will find orders and instructions at the naval sta tion at the mouth of Fish Eiver. To meet the future wants of the command, you will please to have sufficient and assorted supplies of forage, rations, and ammunition shipped and brought up the bay, under convoy of the gun-boats, so far as the above-named Point Zeb. The schooners with the reserve ammunition aboard may be towed up. Let us find the transports off that point ready to be landed when the army gets there. You will also cause all means of transportation belonging to the army, in the field and still at Fort Games or Navy Cove, to be shipped aboard steam-boats at once and to follow the above convoy.
I am, colonel, with respect, your most obedient servant,
P. JOS. OSTEEHAUS, Major- General and Chief of Staff.
HDQRS. ARMY AND DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
Dannelly^s Mills, Fish River, March 24, 1865. Lieut. Col. C. G. SAWTELLE,
Chief Quartermaster, Mil. Div. of West Miss., Fort Gaines, Ala.:
The major-general commanding directs that you meet him on the day
after to-morrow (Sunday, the 26th instant) at the point where our new
base will be established, either at Howard's Wharf or at Point Zeb.
Colonel Hinsdill has been similarly notified.
Yery respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. T. CHEISTENSEN, Lieutenant- Colonel and Assistant Adjutant- General.
SPECIAL ORDERS, ) HDQRS. MIL. Div. OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
No. 82. { New Orleans, La., March 24, 1865.
1. Capt. C. J. Dietrich, commissary of subsistence of volunteers, is hereby directed to proceed immediately to headquarters Army and Division of West Mississippi, in the field, and report to Lieut. Col. C. B. Hinsdill, chief commissary of the division, for orders. By order of Maj. Gen. E. E. S. Canby:
C. H. DYEE, Captain and Assistant Adjutant- General.
SPECIAL ORDERS, ) HDQRS. MIL. Div. OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
I No. 83. J Neiv Orleans, La., March 24, 1865.
1. Paragraph 3, Special Orders, No. 81, from these headquarters, of March 22, 18(35, is hereby revoked. Capt. C. J. Walker, Second U. S. Cavalry, special inspector of cavalry, Department of the Gulf, will proceed to Memphis and, if necessary, to Cairo, for the purpose of car-
76 KY., S. W. VA., TENN., N. & 0. GA., MISS., ALA., & W. FLA.
rying out verbal instructions received from Major-Genera] Grierson, commanding Cavalry Corps, Military Division of West Mississippi. By order of Maj. Gen. E. E. S. Canby:
C. H. DYER, Captain and Assistant Adjutant- General.
SPECIAL ^ HEADQUARTERS ARMY AND DIVISION FIELD ORDERS, > OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
No. 17. ) Dannelltfs Mills, Fish River, Ala., March 21, 1865.
1. Brig. Gen. J. Bailey, Commanding Engineer brigade, will proceed with his entire command and bridge equipage (except wagons) to Point Zeb, on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay, under guard of the same convoys which accompany the supply and ammunition transports now under orders for that point. The stevedores recently employed by Ca,ptain Shipley at Fort Gaines and Fort Morgan have been ordered to report to General Bailey, and will accompany him. The chief quarter master of the division will furnish the necessary transportation with the least possible delay.
2. Brig. Gen. T. Kilby Smith, commanding District of South Ala bama, will order the stevedores recently employed by Captain Shipley at Fort Gaines and Fort Morgan to report without delay to Brigadier- General Bailey, commanding Engineer Brigade.
By order of Maj. Gen. E. R. S. Canby:
C. T. CHRISTENSEX, Lieutenant- Colonel and Assistant Adjutant- General.
HDQRS. ARMY AND DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
Dannelly's Mills, March 24, 1865. Maj. Gen. GORDON GRANGER,
Commanding Thirteenth Army Corps:
GENERAL : The steamer Tamaulipas has just arrived with commis sary stores, and the major-general commanding desires that you instruct your chief commissary to supply himself at once to the end of the month. Four days' rations will be carried on the persons of the men, the balance in the supply train. You are also directed to turn over to Maj. Gen. A. J. Smith fifty wagons with as little delay as possible.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
ALFRED FREDBERG, Captain and Acting Assistant Adjutant- General.
HEADQUARTERS THIRTEENTH^ ARMY CORPS,
Near Dannelltfs Mills, March 24, 1865. Brig. Gen. W. P. BENTON,
Commanding Third Division:
GENERAL: The major-general commanding directs me to say that he desires that the First Brigade, Second Division (detached), report to these headquarters until further orders.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
F. W. EMERY, Captain and Assistant Adjutant- General.
(Copy to Col. Henry Bertram, commanding First Brigade, Second Division, Thirteenth Army Corps.)
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 77
HDQRS. ARMY AND DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
Dannelltfs Mills, March 24, 1865. Maj. Gen, A. J. SMITH,
Commanding Sixteenth Army Corps:
GENERAL: The steamer Tamaulipas has just arrived with commis sary stores, and the major-general commanding desires that you instruct your chief commissary to supply himself at once to the end of the month. Four days' rations will be carried on the persons of the men, the balance in the supply train. Major-General Granger has been instructed to turn over to you this afternoon fifty wagons to enable you to carry tbe supplies prescribed in orders. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
ALFRED FEEDBERG, Captain and Acting Assistant Adjutant- General.
HDQRS. ARMY AND DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
Dannelhfs Mills, March 24, 1865. Maj. Gen. A. J. SMITH,
Commanding Sixteenth Army Corps:
The major-general commanding the army desires me to inform you that your corps is expected to be ready to march to-morrow at day break. The men will carry forty rounds of ammunition and four days' rations. You will please inform me whether you want more wagons to complete the allowance of transportation for regiments, and if so, how many ?
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
P. JOS. OSTEKHAUS, Major- General and Chief of Staff.
HEADQUARTERS SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Dannelly's Mills, Ala., March 24, 1865. Brig. Gen. J. Me ARTHUR,
Commanding First Division:
GENERAL : The major-general commanding directs that you send one brigade from your command to Lowell's Bridge, across Fish Kiver (which is near your right), and repair the bridge so that cavalry and artillery can cross, and throw up a redan at each end of the bridge for its protection. The brigade will remain at that point until further orders, protecting the bridge and themselves.
I am. general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. HOUGH, Assistant Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Dannclly's Mills, Ala., March 24, 1865. Brig. Gen. J. McARTHUR,
Commanding First Division:
GENERAL: The major-general commanding directs that you have your command in readiness to move to-morrow morning at daybreak, March 25 ; if any wagons are necessary to complete your transportation,
78 KY., S. W. VA., TENN., N. & C. GA., MISS., ALA., & W. FLA.
to send to these headquarters for what is required immediately. The troops will carry forty rounds of ammunition and four days' rations. Yery respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. HOUGH, Major and Assistant Adjutant- General.
(Same to Brig. Gen. K. Garrard, commanding Second Division, and Brig. Gen. E. A. Carr, commanding Third Division.)
HEADQUARTERS SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Dannellifs Mills, Ala., March 24, 1865. Brig. Gen. J. McARTHUR,
Commanding First Division:
GENERAL: The major-general commanding directs that this com mand move to-morrow morning in the following order: First, First Division at 8 a. m., taking the road to Deer Park ; second, Second Divis ion at 9 a. m., following the First, and keeping well closed up; Third, wagon train, including all wagons except the two ammunition wagons, tool wagon to each brigade, pioneer wagons, ambulances, hospital wagons, and the forage wagons of the batteries, which will follow their several commands. All others will take place, with the wagon train. The Third Division will leave at 9 a. in. and will act for the day as guard for the wagon train, leaving one brigade in rear of it as rear guard, and with the other two, protecting well its flanks. The divisions will move promptly at the time indicated.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. HOUGH, Major and Assistant Adjutant- General.
(Same to Brig. Gen. K. Garrard, commanding Second Division, and Brig. Gen. E. A. Carr, commanding Third Division.)
HEADQUARTERS SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Dannelly's Mills, Ala., March 24, 1865. Brig. Gen. J. Me ARTHUR,
Commanding First Division:
GENERAL: The major-general commanding directs that the brigade sent to Lowell's Bridge to-day be recalled to 'move with your command to-inorrow morning.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. HOUGH, Major and Assistant Adjutant- General.
HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION, SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
In the Field, near Fish River, Ala., March 24, 1865. Col. W. L. McMiLLEN,
Commanding First Brigade :
COLONEL: The general commanding directs that your brigade pro ceed at once to Lowell's Bridge, across Fish River — near your right — aiid repair the bridge so that cavalry and artillery can cross. You will
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 79
also throw up a redan at each end of the bridge for its protection. The brigade will remain at that point until further orders, protecting the bridge and themselves. Captain Wellman, engineer, will accompany the brigade and lay out the work.
I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. H. F. RANDALL,
Assistant Adjutant- General.
CIRCULAR.] HDQRS. SECOND Div., SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
In the Field, Ala., March 24, 1865.
This command will move at 9 a. in. to-morrow, marching in the fol lowing order: First Brigade; Battery G, Second Illinois Artillery; Sec ond Brigade ; Seventeenth Ohio Battery ; Third Brigade. As a general rule brigade headquarters and battery ambulances will follow their respective commands. All other wheeled vehicles will move in rear of the troops in the following order: Ambulance corps, hospital wagons, division headquarters, then brigade and battery wagons in the order of march of their respective commands. The rear brigade will furnish daily for the division baggage train a guard of 100 men with r>roper officers.
By order of General K. Garrard :
J. B. SAMPLE, Major and Assistant Adjutant- General.
HDQRS. ARMY AND DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
March 24, 1865. Brigadier-General KNIPE,
Commanding Car airy Force, Navy Cove, Ala.:
SIR: A guide, Mr. Helton, is sent with this note to you. He knows the country well from his place to this point, and states that he can avoid about six miles of the bad road over which General Granger moved, lying between Helton's and East Branch of Fish River. Also that soon after crossing that branch he can again leave General Granger's route, following a good road to Baker's Bridge, across Pole Cat Creek, and then to Lowell's Bridge, across Fish River, and thence to the road over which we shall move, namely, by the Deer Park, Kee's, and Dur ant's toward Origen Sibley's. If good weather should continue, you may find Granger's route good enough; if not, you are at liberty to take the one indicated. Baker's and Lowell's Bridges will be put in order for your use.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. T. CHEISTENSEN, Lieutenant- Colonel and Assistant Adjutant- General.
HDQRS. ARMY AND DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
Dannelly's Mills, March 24, 1865 Brig. Gen. J. F. KNIPE,
Commanding Cavalry Division, Navy Cove, Ala. : GENERAL : In connection with the letter written to you this morn ing in regard to Mr. Helton, I am directed by the major-general com manding to say that he has just been informed by General Granger that this Mr. Helton is, in his opinion, not very reliable, and that he
80 KY., S. W. VA., TENN., N. & C. GA., MISS., ALA., & W. FLA.
has the name of being a conscript hunter, and down upon Union people generally. His statement must, therefore, be taken with due allowance. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. T. CHBISTENSEN, Lieutenant- Colonel and Assistant Adjutant- General.
HDQRS. ARMY AND DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI,
Dannelly's Mills, March 24, Brig. Gen. J. F. KNIPE,
Commanding Cavalry Division , Navy Cove:
GENERAL : I have the honor to inclose for your information and ref erence a sketch of the east bank of Mobile Bay.* The major-general commanding the army directs me to say that the guide sent you this a. m., although his status of loyalty is somewhat doubtful, appears to be well acquainted with the theater of our present operations, and undoubtedly will assist you considerably to push forward as rapidly as possible. The army now concentrated here will leave early to-mor row morning for the vicinity of Martin Durant's, and the general is very anxious to have your command join him at the front in the short est time possible. In order to give to your column the choice of roads, the pontoon bridge laid across Fish "River opposite this point will remain there under guard of a small detachment until you may have passed. Besides this place of crossing you will find bridges built and practi cable across Fish Kiver at Lowell's and across Pole Cat Branch at Baker's. Push your command forward as rapidly as practicable, but do not move with columns less than 1,500 to 2,000 strong. The condi tion of the roads renders it imperative to do away with all trains and incumbrances which may have a tendency to retard your progress. Take, therefore, only the smallest amount of transportation you can get along with, and have all the bulk of your train shipped, through Col onel Sawtelle, chief quartermaster, to Point Zeb by water. General Granger's trains while en route were molested to some extent by rebel cavalry, and it will be well to have your front and flank well scoured by eclaireurs. Deploy your advance guard as broad as prudence per mits, but let these explorations not delay your rapid progress more than is absolutely necessary. You are very much wanted.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
P. JOS. OSTEKHAUS, Major- General and Chief of Staff.
SPECIAL ORDERS, ) HDQRS. DISTRICT OF WEST FLORIDA,
No. 71. ) Barrancas, March 24, 1865.
*******
4. In obedience to orders from Major-Gen era! Steele, the district commissary and quartermaster will turn over to Brevet Major McEntee, chief quartermaster of Major-General Steele's command, five days' pro visions for his whole army. The quartermaster's steamer Matamoras will be loaded with these provisions with the utmost speed and sent at once, in accordance to orders of Major-General Steele, up the Escambia Eiver in charge of Brevet Major McEntee, provided with a pilot familiar with the navigation of that river. Colonel Woodman, Second Maine Cavalry, will furnish a guard for the steamer Matamoras of 100
* Sketch not found.
CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 81
men (dismounted) of his regiment, well officered and armed and pro vided with three days' rations and forty rounds of ammunition. The steamer will return with the guard as soon as the provisions have been turned over to the army of Major General Steele.
5. As it is highly important that the supplies for General Steele's army be forwarded without delay, Capt. Benjamin F. Porter, assistant quartermaster, will at once send the steam tug Nephie to assist the steamer Matamoras which is designed to convey the supplies up the Escambia Kiver.
*******
By command of Brigadier- General Asboth :
FRANK ENO, Assistant