your department, you are authorized to do so, or to assign the command as you please, you being responsible for the exercise of proper discretion. You will immediately notify this Department of your determina tion. E. D. TOWNSEND, Assistant Adjutant-General. NASHVILLE, TENN., December 5, 1864-11 p. m. Col. E. D. TOWNSEND, Assistant Adjutant-General: I have received your dispatch of this date. While I fully approve the correctness of the rule stated by Lieutenant-General Grant, I am certain the best I can do for the present is to retain General Stoneman in his present command. He was assigned after consultation with General Sherman, and with his approval. I will therefore avail myself of the authority contained in your dispatch to do so. General Stoneman is now in East Tennessee, preparing to carry out General Grant's instructions. If the general can send there an officer in whom he has more confidence, I shall be much gratified to have him do so. J. M. SCHOFIELD, Major-General. SPECIAL FIELD ORDERS, HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE OHIO, Nashville, Tenn., December 5, 1864. No. 171. II. By direction of the Secretary of War, Maj. Gen. George Stoneman is relieved from duty in the Department of the Ohio, and will repair to Cincinnati, Ohio, report his arrival there by letter to the Adjutant-General of the Army, and await further orders. By command of Major-General Schofield: J. A. CAMPBELL, Major and Assistant Adjutant-General. Brigadier-General WHIPPLE, Assistant Adjutant-General: CLARKSVILLE, December 5, 1864. I have just arrived with my command all safe, with a loss of only two wagons. The feet of my men are very sore, many of them barefoot. I was within eight miles of Nashville on the night of the 2d instant, and found, by information received from prisoners, that the way was not open, so, without orders, I returned to this place, and now await further orders. Respectfully, J. A. COOPER, Brig. Gen. J. A. COOPER, NASHVILLE, December 5, 1864—7.30 p. m. Clarksville: Your dispatch of this date is received. March with your command by road to this place on the north side of the river. GEO. H. THOMAS, Major-General, U. S. Volunteers, Commanding. GALLATIN, December 5, 1864. Major-General WILSON, Commanding Cavalry: I have fourteen men since 12 last night in the enemy's country. There is reason to believe that the citizens are building pontoons in their houses. Could you send me a transport or a steam ferry to-night at 7 o'clock to Gallatin Landing if my suspicions are confirmed? Answer. J. H. HAMMOND, Brigadier-General. HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Brig. Gen. W. D. WHIPPLE, Chief of Staff: GENERAL: I have the honor to inclose for the information of the general commanding a copy of a telegram* received from BrigadierGeneral Hammond, commanding brigade at Gallatin. If a gun-boat can be sent up to General Hammond to-night, please notify me, and I will telegraph him to that effect. Comdg. Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the Mississippi: GENERAL: The major-general commanding directs me to say that, in accordance with your request, a gun-boat will be sent to Gallatin to-night, and will co-operate with General Hammond in his operations in that section. I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Maj. E. B. BEAUMONT, Assistant Adjutant-General, Cavalry Corps: MAJOR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the result of my journey to Saint Louis and Memphis, made in accordance with orders, instructions, &c., from General Thomas' headquarters and from headquarters Cavalry Corps: I left here on the morning of the 20th ultimo and arrived in Saint Louis on the 23d. The unusual length of time en route to Saint Louis was caused by an accident to the train, and by another circumstance, which I make the object of a special report. At General Rosecrans' headquarters I learned that Colonel Winslow's command would probably arrive in Saint Louis by the 1st of December. I met Colonel Winslow, and after making the necessary and most speedy arrangements for the transfer of that portion of his command to this place, we left November 24 for Memphis. Lieutenant-Colonel Benteen, Tenth Missouri Cavalry, was left in Saint Louis to superintend the transfer. General Rosecrans assured me that he should have every facility for remounting, re-equipping, &c., as quickly as possible. We arrived in Memphis Monday morning, November 28. I saw General Washburn, district commander; at first he did not seem inclined to part with Colonel Winslow's command. The next morning Colonel Winslow and I had another interview with him, when he concluded to let Colonel Winslow's old brigade (Third and Fourth Iowa and Tenth Missouri) go, retaining the following regiments: First Mississippi Mounted Rifles, Second New Jersey Cavalry, Fourth Missouri Cavalry, Seventh Indiana Cavalry. These he claimed as ordered to be left there by the brevet major-general commanding the Cavalry Corps. As far as I have been able to learn the First Mississippi Mounted Rifles amounts to but little. The Second New Jersey Cavalry is a very large regiment, but nearly half the men are oneyear recruits; the regiment is very poorly disciplined. The two remaining regiments (Fourth Missouri and Seventh Indiana) constitute the real strength of what is to be left, and of these I should think the Fourth Missouri the better regiment. Colonel Winslow's letter to me, written after I had left him, will give you a good idea of the matter, and from what I saw of him I judge him to be a very efficient officer, although now unfit for field duty, having been recently wounded. He was perfectly informed on the most minute points, even concerning the condition, wants, &c., of his command, and seemed to take great pride in it. I think his opinion worthy of more than ordinary consideration. The organization of the portion of the command to be left in Memphis shows an aggregate of about 3,000; of this number not more than 1,000 or 1,200 are effective, and it appeared difficult to keep even these effective. That portion which is to leave Memphis will number about 1,400 effective; add to these the detachment from Saint Louis, say 1,300, it gives an aggregate of about 2,700. This calculation includes only the following regiments: Third and Fourth Iowa and Tenth Missouri (Winslow's old brigade). Before leaving Memphis General Washburn assured me that he would render Colonel Winslow the necessary facilities for a speedy departure; but as a portion of the command was about starting on a scout, thought they would be unable to leave before to-day (5th). The Saint Louis detachment will probably leave to-day also. In Memphis I learned that General Grierson was at his home in Jacksonville, Ill. He had been absent several weeks. I inclose the letter* of Colonel Winslow referred to on the preceding page. I left Memphis November 29 and arrived here this morning (December 5). Was delayed a day or two in Louisville, as the regular trains were not running. I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant, GENERAL ORDERS, No. 7. HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS, MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Nashville, Tenn., December 5, 1864. The following allowance of transportation for the Cavalry Corps has been adopted, and will be at once carried into effect under the direction of the chief quartermaster: For headquarters of the corps, four wagons for baggage and desks, and a sufficient number to carry subsistence stores for sales to officers and issues to enlisted men on duty at headquarters. For a division, thirty-five wagons, of which sixteen shall compose the ordnance train of the division, eight shall carry subsistence stores, eight, quartermaster's stores, and three shall be for the division commanders and staff. For brigade headquarters, two wagons for every 1,000 men in the brigade, thirteen wagons for subsistence stores and two wagons for quartermaster's stores. For each regiment there will be allowed five wagons, to be used as follows: One for regimental headquarters, two for baggage of officers, one for quartermaster's and com missary tools, and one, under control of the regimental commander, to carry surplus ordnance stores until they can be turned over. In addition to the above, and for operations at a distance from the supply trains, there will be allowed for division and brigade headquarters, each, one light wagon; to each regimental commander, one pack-mule, one to every two field and staff officers, one to officers of each company, and one to every twenty-five men. The allowance of ambulances and hospital wagons will be regulated by the medical director of the corps, but for present use, in case of an emergency, there will be allowed to headquarters of the corps and division two ambulances, to each brigade, one, and to each regiment, two. By command of Brevet Major-General Wilson: E. B. BEAUMONT, Major and Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS, MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Nashville, December 5, 1864. II. Lieut. Col. A. J. Alexander, assistant adjutant-general, Seventeenth Army Corps, having reported for temporary duty in compliance with orders from Major-General Blair, commanding Seventeenth Army Corps, assigned to duty on the staff of the brevet major-general commanding. III. Capt. Levi T. Griffin, Fourth Michigan Volunteer Cavalry, having reported in obedience to orders, is assigned to duty as acting assistant adjutant-general and stationed at cavalry headquarters, Nashville, Tenn. This order to date from November 30, 1864. *Not found as an inclosure, IV. Capt. W. W. Van Antwerp, Fourth Michigan Volunteer Cavalry, having reported in obedience to orders, is assigned to duty as acting aide-de-camp. This order to date from November 30, 1864. By command of Brevet Major-General Wilson: E. B. BEAUMONT, Major and Assistant Adjutant-General. HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Brig. Gen. J. T. CROXTON, Commanding First Division, Cavalry Corps: GENERAL: The brevet major-general commanding directs that you replace all the men belonging to General Watkins' brigade that are on detached duty by men from your other brigade, and hold General Watkins' brigade in readiness to move at short notice. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, General ELI LONG, A. J. ALEXANDER, Lieutenant-Colonel and Acting Chief of Staff. Commanding Second Division: NASHVILLE, December [5], 1864. Mount all the men for whom you have horses, arms, and equipments, and report to me what articles you are short, and how many. The order of the Secretary of War contemplates and authorizes the seizure of every species of property necessary to put your command in an efficient condition. If saddles, blankets, or arms can be found you should take them at once. Answer as soon as possible. J. H. WILSON, Maj. E. B. BEAUMONT, Assistant Adjutant-General: GALLATIN, December 5, 1864. My scouts in; chased by the rebels to the river. Breckinridge, with three brigades of 8,000 mounted men, left Lebanon this morning, and is expected to cross at Carthage to-night or to-morrow. He is to go to Kentucky, striking the railroad near Bowling Green. He arrived in Lebanon Sunday. Citizens say that Forrest will cross near Clarksville. Biffle's brigade is in Lebanon, and is thought by some to be a re-enforcement for Breckinridge; by others to remain and watch us and the rebel rear. The men went to three miles and a half of Lebanon before being suspected. I have another out alone, who expects to be in the town to-night and reach me before morning. The country south of the river is full of rebels gathering horses and clothing and receiving horses and supplies from this side. I will get all the horses in the country; there are but few. I have 400 men out in all directions pressing. Have been destroying all the boats I could find since arrival. I have started all my available force to Carthage, thirty-three miles east, as a corps of observation, besides scouts. J. H. HAMMOND, Brevet Brigadier-General. |