U. S. IRON-CLAD ESSEX, Maj. WILLIAM H. MORGAN, Chief of Staff, &c.: DEAR MAJOR: I send an officer again to ask if you have any further information regarding the position or movements of the enemy. Captain Pennock tells me that he may leave in the morning, and he desires to have the latest news. I must say it is my own opinion that the rebels have not in any degree abandoned their intention to attack Memphis. Their last known positions place them on roads radiating hence like a fan, and much nearer Memphis than to Columbus, or any other seemingly threatened point. They desire to lull us into a fatal security by circulating rumors of intended movements into Western Kentucky. But I have no fear that they will deceive you into a disregard of all prudent preparations. Yours, very truly, ROBERT TOWNSEND, [OCTOBER 22, 1864.-For Dana to Canby, in relation to operations in West Tennessee, Arkansas, &c., see Vol. XLI.] HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Colonel EASTON, In the Field, Gaylesville, Ala., October 23, 1864. Chief Quartermaster, Chattanooga or Atlanta, Ga.: Come to Rome and to me for consultation, and prepared with a summary of all property from Chattanooga forward. Send back all unserv iceable stock, wagons, and stores, and keep on hand only a limited supply, just what we can pick up in our wagons and haul. General W. T. SHERMAN: W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General, Commanding. PONTOONS, COOSA RIVER, October 23, 1864-1.07 p. m. GENERAL: I arrived here and found everything in readiness to proceed to the point designated. We will start just after [dark]. We will try and arrive at the bluff at 3 o'clock to-morrow morning. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, First Lieutenant, Sixty-sixth Indiana Infantry Volunteers. HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Malachi S. Carter, Second Georgia Cavalry, Martin's division, says: I reached Atlanta yesterday. I live in De Kalb County, seven miles from Atlanta. Was conscripted in June, 1864, and kept under guard until I reached my regiment, belonging to Iverson's brigade. About August 10 we left Covington to make a raid under Wheeler. The force consisted of William S. Robinson's [F. H. Robertson's] brigade, Humes' division, and Martin's division, all but a part of our brigade. Were not all armed. We went up into East Tennessee, crossed the river at Strawberry Plains, and then back through Middle Tennessee. Recrossed Tennessee River below Muscle Shoals and crossed the Coosa at Edwards' Ferry, near Round Mountain Iron-Works. Joined Hood's army near Cedartown; were assigned to the advance, and recrossed the Coosa on pontoons, fifteen miles below Rome, going northwest. All the army crossed, but sent back most of their wagons and beef cattle to Jacksonville and Blue Mountain. The report was that the army was going to Summerville. Opinions vary as to whether they will cross the Tennessee. Many say that they will only cut the railroads and then come back into Alabama. The men are discouraged, and just now are very poorly fed and clothed. Many more would desert, but fear being caught and shot. I escaped at Dirt Town, Chattooga County, on the 11th instant, after the army had crossed the river. Came around through Alabama. Saw no troops there but train guards. The army get their supplies by wagon from Blue Mountain, in Calhoun County, fifty or sixty miles from Summerville and five to ten miles north of east from Jacksonville; it is the terminus of the railroad. Wheeler has lost about half of his men by desertion since August 1. Iverson is now somewhere below Stockbridge, between Jonesborough and McDonough, with several hundred men. At Morrow's Mills, west of Jonesborough, about nine miles this side of Fayetteville, is a cavalry force of 300 or 400; don't know who commands them. Know of no other forces near Atlanta. There are some militia at Macon. I have heard, I believe, that there are many Union men in hiding throughout Northeast Georgia, many of them armed. There are some such between Lawrenceville and Gainesville. These men often bushwhack the rebel cavalry very pertinaciously. I am an original Union man and was near hung for my sentiments in this city. Lieut. Col. J. S. FULLERTON, Assistant Adjutant-General: ALPINE, GA., October 23,-1864. SIR: I have here with these two brigades ten ammunition and six forage wagons (one to each headquarters) and five ambulances. The officers have no baggage except blankets. I have plenty to eat except salt. Am taking what salt I can find in the country, but it is very scarce. Can you send me some? Troops are well clothed except shoes, that have been worn out on this march. Will need 400 or 500 pairs. General Bradley has not yet reported; should have been here two days ago. Do not know what transportation he has. Troops all in fine condition. General Grose will be here to-morrow evening. There is plenty of wheat here, which we are grinding. Our last report of effective force shows 4,200 men. The regular reports and returns are at headquarters in Chattanooga, and will be forwarded as soon as they come up. What does the general desire done with the baggage which is at Chattanooga awaiting transportation to any point he may designate? I would like to get it as soon as possible, as the officers have not even a change of clothing. G. D. WAGNER, HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI, In the Field, Gaylesville, Ala., October 23, 1864. General SLOCUM, Atlanta, Ga.: Your dispatch of the 20th received. Am delighted at your success in foraging. Go on, pile up the forage, corn, and potatoes, and keep your artillery horses fat. Send back all unserviceable artillery, and at the last moment we can count up horses and see what we can haul, and send back all else. One gun per thousand men will be plenty to take along. Hood is doubtless now at Blue Mountain, and Forrest over about Corinth and Tuscumbia, hoping by threatening Tennessee to make me quit Georgia. We are piling up men in Tennessee, enough to attend to them and leave me free to go ahead. The railroad will be done in a day or two. We find abundance of corn and potatoes out here, and enjoy them much. They cost nothing a bushel. If Georgia can afford to break our railroads, she can afford to feed us. Please preach this doctrine to men who go forth, and are likely to spread it. All well. W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General, Commanding. HDQRS. CHIEF OF CAVALRY, DEPT. OF THE CUMBERLAND, Leesburg, Ala., October 23, 1864-8.30 p. m. Capt. L. M. DAYTON, Aide-de-Camp: CAPTAIN: In compliance with your instructions of the 22d I marched to this place. This morning early I marched on the Gadsden road, skirmishing with the advance of Harrison's and Armistead's brigades, driving it from a strong position at King's Hill to its command, about two miles beyond. From this point it fell back to a stronger position about one mile beyond where we developed a larger force, with artillery in position, two pieces in our front and one or more to our left; at this place we found the enemy occupied a line extending from the mountain to the Coosa River, from one mile and a half to two miles in length. I learned that the enemy held another similar line about two miles beyond, at Turkeytown. The front of the first line was obstructed by felled timber and the position was too strong for my available dismounted force to assault. From King's Hill I had sent a strong regiment of mounted infantry to Will's Valley, at the junction of the road with that from Leesburg. It encountered a force of from 150 to 200 holding the gap leading into Will's Valley. This regiment rejoined me. I find less forage as I have advanced, and for position and forage returned to my camp at this place. From all that I can learn I think the enemy is holding Gadsden and its approaches, but cannot say whether to move on Guntersville, Decatur, or to Blue Mountain. All reports seem to agree that two corps of infantry have crossed the Coosa and that the cavalry is holding the approaches to Gadsden. A captured scout represents that he was "pressed" into service and claims to be a Union man; gave himself up; says a rebel infantry force is in Turkeytown Valley. I inclose a copy of bulletin* issued by Beauregard. Respectfully, &c., W. L. ELLIOTT, *Not found, but see Beauregard's address, October 17 (p. 825), which 18 probably the document mentioned, NASHVILLE, TENN., October 23, 1864. Lieutenant-Colonel CLARK, A. A. G., Army of the Tennessee: C COLONEL: In compliance with orders I beg leave to report that, upon my arrival here on the 25th ultimo, I consulted with Brig. Gen. R. W. Johnson, chief of cavalry, Military Division of the Mississippi, as to the best means of procuring horses for our cavalry, and at his suggestion proceeded to Saint Louis for the purpose of consulting with Colonel Merrill, in charge of horses at that place. I was informed by the colonel that our cavalry at Memphis had been furnished with 6,008 horses within six weeks, that the Government had no horses on hand at that time, and that he had no doubt that the command was fully supplied. I then proceeded to Memphis, found the command organized into two divisions, the first under Brigadier-General Hatch, absent in Western Tennessee with Major-General Washburn; the other under Colonel Winslow, absent in Arkansas and Missouri; General Grierson remaining in Memphis as chief of the cavalry corps as organized by MajorGeneral Washburn. The two divisions number some 6,000 or 7,000 effective inen, fully armed and equipped. Knowing that I could accomplish nothing in sending to the front the division under General Hatch as contemplated in my letter of instructions, and having no communication by mail or otherwise from Memphis with either of the division commanders, I concluded to proceed to this place and report the state of affairs and avail myself of the proffered leave of absence had in view when I departed from department headquarters. Upon my arrival here I learned at General Thomas' headquarters that Major-General Washburn would be here within the next twenty-four hours. I.concluded to have an interview with him and read my letter of instructions to him, having failed to meet the general at Memphis. I saw the general last night, and was informed that General Hatch was at Clifton with his command, and that he did not see how Hatch could be sent to the frout until the return of the division under Winslow in Missouri. The general seems loath to part with any of the cavalry, and wishes to retain them on the Mississippi. I beg leave to differ with the general. The division under General Grierson, including the brigade at Vicksburg, concentrated at Memphis, will be ample for all purposes. If concentrated at that point they will be enabled to make forays into the enemy's country, and by their movements either compel Forrest to abandon his present stamping ground or cope with a force that will preclude the possibility of his again making a successful raid into that city. I have been unable to reach you by telegraph and have, therefore, received a leave of absence for twenty days from headquarters Division of the Mississippi, and will report from this place upon its expiration. I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOSEPH F. KNIPE, Brig. Gen., U. S. Vols., Chief of Cavalry, Army of the Tenn. Major-General THOMAS: WASHINGTON, October 23, 1864-5 p. m. I received information to-day, having great appearance of authenticity, that there is to be a rebel raid into Western Kentucky; that it is to consist of 4,000 infantry and 3,000 cavalry, and is to start from Corinth, Miss., on the 4th day of November. Send copy to General Washburn at Memphis. A. LINCOLN. A. L. NASHVILLE, TENN., October 23, 1864-9.30 p. m. Major-General HALLECK, Chief of Staff: The One hundred and seventy-third, One hundred and seventyfourth, One hundred and seventy-fifth, One hundred and seventy-sixth, One hundred and seventy-seventh, One hundred and seventy-eighth, One hundred and seventy-ninth, One hundred and eightieth Ohio, Forty-third Wisconsin, and Eleventh Minnesota, one-year's troops, and the Twenty-ninth Michigan, a three-years' regiment, have arrived here. Have heard nothing of the two regiments from General Pope's command. The regiments sent from Kentucky, having nearly finished their time, have been ordered back to be mustered out. I am receiving no re-enforcements now, except drafted, men. Will any other troops be sent me? I ask the question because General Sherman has asked for a report of the number of troops in Tennessee, and now expected, so that he can organize his expedition. The dispatch of the President of to-day, concerning the threatened raid into Western Kentucky, has been received. I will gain all, the information I can about the rumor, and prepare to prevent its being carried into execution. Have no direct news from General Sherman to-day. General Croxton reports no movement on part of the enemy about Eastport. GEO. H. THOMAS, Major-General. HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI, General GEORGE H. THOMAS, Nashville, Tenn. : Dispatch of 18th received. I wrote you in great detail by Colonel Warner. Hood is now at Blue Mountain,* and Forrest is evidently over about Tuscumbia. No doubt they will endeavor conjointly to make me come out of Georgia, but I don't want them to succeed. All Georgia is now open to me and I do believe you are the man best qualified to manage the affairs of Tennessee and North Mississippi. I want ap proximate returns of all troops subject to your orders, and, as I wrote you, I can spare you the Fourth Corps and about 5,000 men not fit for my purpose, but which will be well enough for garrison at Chattanooga, Murfreesborough, and Nashville. What you need is a few points fortified and stocked with provisions, and a good movable column of 25,000 men that can strike in any direction. I await further reports from you before doing anything, but am making all preparations necessary. We find abundance of forage and stores down here, and have not the most distant fears of want or starvation. All my animals are improving, and General Slocum, at Atlanta, reports foraging most successful, 400 wagons on one occasion, 700 on another, and 600 now out. If Hood breaks our road Georgia must pay for it. W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General, Commanding. *As received by Thomas this read-Hood is not at Blue Mountain. See Thomas to Halleck, October 24, 10.30 p. m., p. 424, and Thomas to Halleck, October 25, 9 p. m., p. 431. |