place will be charged with the defenses of its garrison, and the protection of the railroad and garrisons between Dalton and Ringgold, including Ringgold. By command of Major-General Steedman: S. B. MOE, Assistant Adjutant-General. SPECIAL ORDERS, HDQRS. DISTRICT OF TENNESSEE, I. The One hundred and forty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, having reported to these headquarters, will proceed by rail to Murfreesborough and report to Brigadier-General Van Cleve, commanding at that place. II. The One hundred and fifty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, having reported to these headquarters, will proceed to Murfreesborough by rail, and report to Brigadier-General Van Cleve. The regimental transportation, if any, will be sent by pike under small escort. III. The One hundred and forty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, having reported to these headquarters, will proceed by rail to Tullahoma, and report to Major-General Milroy, commanding on Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad. Lieutenant Jennings has just returned from near Rogersville, where he has been on flag of truce for General Palmer. He reports concentration of large rebel force near Abingdon for raid below Knoxville. W. C. BARTLETT, Lieutenant-Colonel. Commander ANDREW BRYSON, U. S. STEAMER HASTINGS, Commanding Eighth District: SIR: I respectfully beg leave to report to you a raid made upon this place yesterday in the absence of the gun-boat by a party of guerrillas said to belong to Quantrill's command. They came in about 10 a. m., commenced plundering the stores and dwelling houses, abusing and beating the citizens, women and children included, shooting at them, compelling them to give up the money in their possession; set fire to their buildings, one of which was entirely burnt up; remained in town until 4 p. m., leaving on the appearance of the Hastings coming up the river. They carried with them a large amount of money, supplies, and whisky, the latter articles having been landed recently from transports. I have been informed that whenever the gun-boat is absent there are always from five to thirty rebels in the town. They are enticed here principally by the large amount of goods landed and permitted from Cairo. It has been the custom of persons living in the western part of Tennessee to go to Cairo, purchase goods, have them permitted to some point in Kentucky, usually Hickman and Watson's Landing— the former only five miles, the latter half a mile from the State lineand carry them to Tennessee. These people informed me that the question is never asked at Cairo whether they live in Kentucky or Tennessee. I am also informed that nearly all the goods lauded at this point are sold in Tennessee, which, by the military regulations, is prohibited, unless received in exchange for cotton. The trade and travel to this point is very extensive. One boat landed $25,000 worth of goods, nearly all of which went to Tennessee, permitted for Kentucky from Cairo. I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, J. S. WATSON, Acting Volunteer Lieutenant, Commanding. HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI, Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, Chief of Staff, &c., Washington, D. C.: It has stormed almost incessantly for the last three weeks, and the movement of troops and supplies has, in consequence, been greatly delayed. I have seized and sent to Mobile Bay all the Mississippi steamers that could make the voyage with any degree of safety, but have still an insufficient number for as prompt movements as were desired. This difficulty would in great measure have been avoided if the light-draft, sea-going steamers, for which requisitions were made three months ago, could have been furnished. I expect to commence operations at Mobile on the 5th proximo. Cavalry demonstrations will be made from Baton Rouge, Vicksburg, and Memphis in co-operation. General Thomas will co-operate by a cavalry movement in the direction of Corinth. A cavalry force from Pensacola, supported by a considerable infantry force, will advance to destroy the Mobile and Montgomery road between Pollard and Evergreen. If the severe rains have extended to the upper country, it may interfere with the cavalry operations that have been ordered. E. R. S. CANBY, Major-General, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Nashville, Tenn., February 28, 1865–9 p. m. (Received March 11.) Maj. Gen. E. R. S. CANBY, New Orleans, La.: Your telegram of the 22d is just received. Major-General Wilson will march from Eastport, with 10,000 cavalry, about the 5th of March; threaten the Mobile and Ohio Railroad as far south as Columbus, Miss.; do as much damage as he can, and, whilst occupying the enemy about Columbus, will suddenly throw his force in the direction of Selma and Montgomery, Ala., and if possible reach those two points. He has a well-appointed and enthusiastic force, and I have no doubt will aid your forces very materially in your operations against Selma and Montgomery. I wish you the most eminent success in your movements. GEO. H. THOMAS, Major-General, U. S. Army, Commanding. GENERAL ORDERS, HDQRS. DISTRICT OF WEST FLORIDA, The following order, received this a. m., is published for the information of this command: SPECIAL ORDERS, No. HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI, Maj. Gen. F. Steele is assigned to the command of the troops operating from Pensacola Bay, and will proceed to Barrancas, Fla., to complete the organization and preparation of his column. He will have for the purpose of preparation the control of the depot of supplies at Barrancas, and will make requisitions for any additional supplies that may be needed upon the depots in Mobile Bay. By order of Maj. Gen. E. R. S. Canby: By command of Brigadier-General Asboth: H. R. PUTNAM, Major and Aide-de-Camp. J. WM. HAIGHT, JR., First Lieutenant and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. Col. C. T. CHRISTENSEN, BARRANCAS, FLA., February 28, 1865. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Headquarters Military Division, &c.: COLONEL: I arrived here this morning, having taken advantage of the first means of transportation from Fort Gaines after the general left. We were detained some time while a pontoon bridge, which General Granger ordered over here, was being loaded, but would have reached here yesterday if it had not been for the fog. The general wished me to write in regard to General Asboth's physical ability to endure the fatigue of a campaign. He is full of valor and energy, and seems very desirous of going into the field, but it appears to me that he is too feeble. He tells me that his weight is 140 pounds, and I observe that he requires assistance to mount and dismount his horse. While he is mounted he seems to experience no inconvenience in riding at a furious rate for several hours. I rode with him around the camps here to-day. General Andrews informs me that Lieutenant-Colonel Spurling, of the cavalry, is thoroughly acquainted with the country, and well qualified in every respect to command cavalry on an expedi tion like that in contemplation. I fear that the pontoon bridge will be a great incumbrance to my movements. The boats are very heavy, and it is my opinion that I could get along much easier and more expeditiously without them. The fog threatens to delay the boats trans porting our troops. Very respectfully, &c., F. STEELE, 3. Upon the recommendation of Brig. Gen. C. C. Andrews, commanding the division, Lieut. Col. Warren S. Dungan, Thirty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, is assigned to duty as acting assistant inspectorgeneral Second Division, Thirteenth Army Corps. No. 24. GENERAL ORDERS, HDQRS. MIL. DIV. OF WEST MISSISSIPPI, New Orleans, La., February 28, 1865. The field allowance of ambulances, wagons, and tents for hospital purposes will be as follows: Of ambulances, one to each 400 men of infantry or cavalry, one to each battery of artillery (to which it shall be permanently attached), two to the headquarters of the army and of army corps. To each division train of ambulances, three army wagons will be allowed for transportation of hospital tents and mess chests. Ambulance corps will be organized as far as practicable, in accordance with the act of Congress, republished in General Orders, No. 38, 1864, from these headquarters. Hospital tents for divisions will be allowed at the rate of one tent for each 600 men, to be used only in division hospital organizations, under direction of the surgeon in charge. Smaller independent commands will observe the same organizations as regards hospitals and ambulance corps as are prescribed for divisions. By order of Maj. Gen. E. R. S. Canby: C. T. CHRISTENSEN, Lieutenant-Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-General. HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF WEST MISSISSIPPI, Rear-Admiral S. P. LEE, Commanding Mississippi Squadron, Mound City, Ill.: ADMIRAL: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th instant, informing me that two iron-clads and four tin-clads have been ordered by you to report to Commodore Palmer. These vessels have not yet arrived, but when they come I have no doubt that their services will realize all our anticipations. The late severe rains in this region have interfered very materially with the movement of troops. It is now bright and dry weather, and if it continues so we may hope soon to be able to go to work, with fair prospects of good success. Reports recently received from Mobile concur in the statement that a number of armed launches have been sent in the direction of Jackson, Miss., with the evident design of interfering with shipping on the river, or perhaps with the intention of covering the transfer of rebel troops from the west side of the river. I have given due notice to divisional commanders of your squadron between Red River and Memphis. During my absence I have authorized Generals Hurlbut and Dana to approve all permits and safe-conducts, which heretofore under General Orders, No. 80, required my own approval. The officers of your squadron have all been notified accordingly. I thank you for your hearty co-operation on all occasions and for your kind wishes for our success. With high esteem, your friend and obedient servant, Abstract from return of the Department of the Cumberland, Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas, U. S. Army, commanding, for the month of February, 1865. Organization of troops in the Department of the Cumberland, commanded by Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas, U. S. Army, February 28, 1865. |