Maj. Gen. J. M. SCHOFIELD, Knoxville: NASHVILLE, March 2, 1864. If you can possibly dispense with cavalry order them to report by telegraph to General Thomas for orders. General Thomas is very much in want of their services. U. S. GRANT, HEADQUARTERS SECOND DIVISION, CAVALRY CORPS, Major-General STONEMAN : A citizen who came through from Carter's Station, having left that place last Saturday, reports that the railroad trains are all loaded and crowded with troops en route for Virginia. He reports that the enemy's artillery was unshipped from the cars at Carter's Station. He saw wagon trains going on toward Virginia beyond Greeneville. He saw a force of about 2,000 infantry at Bull's Gap last Sunday. A deserter who has just arrived from Bend of Chucky reports that the enemy at that place yesterday moved from there last night, going beyond Lick Creek. He confirms the report that Martin's cavalry had started to Georgia via Paint Rock. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, ISRAEL GARRARD, Colonel, Commanding Division. HDQRS. DETACHMENT SECOND DIV., CAVALRY CORPS, General STONEMAN: Four deserters from the enemy came in this morning. They report that Johnson's division (to which they belong) fell back 9 miles yesterday from the mouth of Lick Creek, where they were camped. They report that Martin's cavalry had marched in the direction of Newport. General Bushrod Johnson, before leaving Dandridge, told his men in a short speech that the army was not going to fall back farther than Greeneville. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, ISRAEL GARRARD, Colonel, Commanding Second Division, Cavalry Corps. Two of these deserters are lieutenants from the Seventeenth Ten- nessee. ISRAEL GARRARD. HEADQUARTERS TWENTY-THIRD ARMY CORPS, General SCHOFIELD: GENERAL: I sent you by return orderly Colonel Garrard's dispatches, all the information I possess in regard to the movements of the enemy. The troops under my command will start at once for New Market, moving slow. A portion of the cavalry will be sent in the direction of Chucky Bend; the rest will stay here until daylight, unless driven away by the enemy. They had a skirmish with the enemy's cavalry about 2 miles from Russellville, driving them off and losing 2 men. Respectfully, &c., GEORGE STONEMAN, Strawberry Plains, March 2, 1864. HDQRS. SECOND BRIG., THIRD DIV., TWENTY-THIRD CORPS, Brig. Gen. E. E. POTTER, Chief of Staff, Strawberry Plains: GENERAL: From scouting parties and citizens who have come into the lines, I learn that a force of enemy's cavalry entered Dandridge yesterday morning. This force divided, part remaining in Dandridge and part advancing 8 miles this side. The object seems to have been plunder and impressment of citizens. I have had a scouting party out 10 miles to-day, without meeting the enemy. I am inclined to the belief that the party that advanced yesterday has gone back to Dandridge, where I am told there is a considerable force of the enemy, all cavalry. We will be on our guard here, and unless the force is very large, do not apprehend any danger. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Major-General GRANGER, DANIEL CAMERON, NEW MARKET, March 2, 1864-9.45 a. m. Loudon: Send one brigade of Colonel McCook's cavalry division to report to Major-General Thomas. Apply to General Thomas by telegraph for orders for the brigade. You must guard the Hiwassee bridge if it is not otherwise guarded. J. M. SCHOFIELD, Major-General. Major-General SCHOFIELD: LOUDON, March 2, 1864. Some of the cavalry scouts returning report a rebel force of 300 men and three pieces of artillery guarding the pass at the junction of the Little Tennessee and Tuckaleechee Rivers. A force has been sent to capture them. They also report that Longstreet has passed through Greenville, S. C. Maj. Gen. G. H. THOMAS, ་ G. GRANGER, NASHVILLE, March 2, 1864-11 a. m. Commanding Department of the Cumberland: I have just learned from what I believe to be reliable authority that Johnston has 37,000 infantry at and about Dalton. Your move ment no doubt had the effect to hold them there. I have directed General Allen to forward us rapidly horses, mules, and wagons. We must equip the best we can and do without what cannot be got. Reduce the transportation at all depots and railroad stations to the lowest possible standard. Substitute poor animals for their fat ones; dismount quartermaster's employés, orderlies, infantry officers, and all unauthorized persons at every station, and take their horses to mount the cavalry. There is a new strong cavalry regiment here which I will send to Dodge, but which will be left as guard for the road between here and Decatur. Maj. Gen. G. H. THOMAS, Chattanooga: U. S. GRANT. NASHVILLE, March 2, 1864. I have directed Schofield to send the cavalry you ask for, if possible. The cavalry with Smith have returned to Memphis and may be looked for in your department soon. I shall recommend the merging of the Department of the Ohio into that of the Cumberland if Schofield is not confirmed. Hovey is not assigned to the command of Kentucky. General WHIPPLE, U. S. GRANT, HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY, Leet's Farm, Ga., March 2, 1864. Chief of Staff, Dept. of the Cumberland, Chattanooga: GENERAL: All is quiet in front. A few scouting parties in neighborhood of La Fayette, but they are very timid. The infantry did not advance from Dalton when we fell back. There are 1,200 cavalry encamped at a point 1 mile above Tunnel Hill, where the enemy had made a temporary breast-work of rails. The infantry force is large at Dalton and below. They are building fortifications at every ridge and stream in the direction of Atlanta. My camp is still at Tyner's Station. If we are to stay here we would like to move it down in this vicinity-to Ringgold at least. If a removal of the camp is approved, I would feel it a favor to have the order sent to my quartermaster at Tyner's Station. T. J. HARRISON, HEADQUARTERS ELEVENTH CORPS, Brigadier-General WHIPPLE, Assistant Adjutant-General, Dept. of the Cumberland: GENERAL: A deserter just come into our lines, who left Dalton on February 24, 1864, reports 15,000 troops there at that time. at 9 a. m. that day, when the fighting commenced. He states that the intention was to retreat without fighting, as everything was prepared for a retrograde movement to Kingston, all the roads leading to that place having been put in good repair, but our troops pushed on so fast, compelling them to make a stand. Three divisions, except one brigade, left Dalton before Sunday, February 21, for Meridian, Cheatham's, Stewart's, and another. All the artillery nearly has been sent south, it being rumored that they would make a stand at Resaca or Rome. He also heard that Longstreet was retreating toward Virginia. He describes the fortifications at Resaca to be on the north side of the Oostenaula River, the opposite side being entirely controlled by the north shore. Being well acquainted with the country he knows of no good position, south of Resaca, for 15 miles. He represents Rome fortified with three works-two north and one south of the Etowah River. The rebels have a foundry and machineshop at that place, casting and preparing guns. The Connesauga and Coosawattee Rivers are fordable at several places above Resaca; the trains of the enemy crossing at these fords. The Oostenaula is not fordable, having very high banks. The Coosa River is navigable to Greensport. Three steamers now lying at Rome. Only a small steamer ever runs to Resaca on the Oostenaula. The Etowah is not navigable. Respectfully, your obedient servant, O. O. HOWARD, CHATTANOOGA, TENN., March 2, 1864. Lieut. Col. J. S. FULLERTON, Assistant Adjutant-General: The Second and Third Divisions, Fourth Army Corps, are still a part of the Army of the Cumberland. The reports will be furnished this department. WM. D. WHIPPLE, Brigadier-General, Chief of Staff. Maj. Gen. N. P. BANKS: U. S. FLAG-SHIP HARTFORD, DEAR GENERAL: I received your kind notes, for which I am much obliged. The time has now passed when you could act to the same advantage in taking the forts at Mobile. The ram Tennessee came down the bay yesterday, and was full in sight to us off Grant's Pass, lying in the middle of the bay. She appeared to me to be very slow. A gale of wind came on from the north, and I am anxious to hear how she stood it. You will readily understand that she can be in shoal water alongside of the beach inside of the peninsula, and prevent the approach of your troops toward Fort Morgan, and that our ships even after passing the forts will not be able to get at her, at least none but the small vessels who would not be able to make any impression upon her, so that now Mobile will have to be left until the arrival of "iron-clads;" when that will be God only knows. I only ask for two, and will go in with one. I fear we put off the attack too late, but it is a great consolation to us to know that it was neither our wish nor fault that Mobile was not taken last year or last month. The Secretary of War directs that you will report in person to the War Department as early as practicable, considering the condition of your command. If necessary you will keep up telegraphic communication with your command while en route to Washington. H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief. Major WHERRY, Aide-de-Camp: STRAWBERRY PLAINS, March 3, 1864. The pontoon bridge cannot be laid before this evening; it had to be taken up last night to save it. General Whipple telegraphs to me March 1, Chattanooga, that General Thomas is willing that General Schofield shall retain Spears' brigade, provided General Schofield will return the other troops belonging to the Army of the Cumberland, whose services are very much needed. EDWARD E. POTTER, Major-General SCHOFIELD: KNOXVILLE, March 3, 1864. Colonel Crawford has just informed me that he has reliable information that Martin's cavalry, thought to be 4,000, are encamped between Newport and Wilsonville, near Big Pigeon River. I have no fear of their coming here, but think the information may be valuable to you. DAVIS TILLSON, Brigadier-General of Volunteers. General G. GRANGER: CHATTANOOGA, March 3, 1864. Send a brigade to Calhoun, and telegraph what one you send and who is in command. Further orders will be sent. WM. D. WHIPPLE, Brigadier-General, Chief of Staff. |