HEADQUARTERS FORREST'S CAVALRY CORPS, Brig. Gen. J. R. CHALMERS: GENERAL: The major-general commanding directs me to say that he intends reorganizing [into] one division all the Tennessee troops of his command, and he directs that the Tennessee portion of Buford's division and Rucker's brigade, with all other Tennessee cavalry now reporting to you, [be sent] to this place for the purpose of organizing. You will also direct that all the wagons belonging to the Tennessee commands be sent up to this place. Major Bennett will come with them, also the quartermasters of, or attached to, the other Tennessee commands. Send their ordnance wagons also, but let all their wagons come light or empty, sending everything up by rail to this place that otherwise would be brought in the wagons. Armstrong's brigade is furloughed until the 10th of February, to meet then at West Point. The major-general commanding directs me to say that he wishes you to get up all the Mississippi commands as rapidly as possible, as they will also be reorganized. Let the officers of Gholson's command be sent with details in such numbers and such directions as will enable them to get up their men, to report with same at least by the 10th, and all absentees from that command at that time will be sent to infantry, officers dropped from rolls and conscripted, and the regiments consolidated unless they are filled up. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Assistant Adjutant and Inspector General. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF CENTRAL ALABAMA, Col. E. SURGET, Talladega, January 25, 1865. Assistant Adjutant-General, Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana, Meridian, Miss. : COLONEL: I am in receipt of your communication of the 21st instant, in reference to the command tendered me of a division of cavalry under Major-General Forrest. I am greatly obliged to the lieutenant-general commanding for the suggestion and the renewed evidence of the courtesy and interest which he has uniformly shown in my behalf. I feel complimented also at the disposition manifested by Major-General Forrest to have me with his command, as there is no cavalry officer, in my opinion, who has done as much to shed honor upon his profession. But I received the application, which I sent through your headquarters to be transferred to the Trans-Mississippi Department, with the favorable indorsement of the lieutenant-general commanding, some ten days since and immediately forwarded it to Richmond. Anticipating the early and favorable action of the War Department, I have made all my arrangements for the prompt execution of the order and could not, therefore, conveniently or consistently accept the position suggested. Hoping, however, I may be enabled to render some further service to our cause, I have the honor to be, colonel, very respectfully, DANL. W. ADAMS, Assistant Adjutant-General, Meridian, Miss.: Dispatch received and view approved. The object is to facilitate the dispatch of troops. Send them by quickest and best route. GEO. WM. BRENT, Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF THE GULF, [General S. COOPER:] GENERAL: In accordance with instructions from the Navy Department, communicated to me by Commodore Farrand, that officer transferred to my command the torpedo-boat Saint Patrick, built on a contract with the Government by a man named Halligan. This boat was to have been ready for action in July last, and I hoped to use it against the enemy's fleet off Fort Morgan. I therefore caused every possible assistance to be given to Halligan in building her, and urged her early completion. It was not, however, till the month of Halligan arrived here with the boat, and from his whole course I became convinced he had no real intention of attacking the enemy, and that the only practical purpose the Saint Patrick was serving was to keep Halligan and her crew of six able-bodied men from doing military duty. I therefore had him supplied with every means to move against the enemy, and notified him that if he did not attack at once I would place an officer in charge of her who would. In the course of a few days I found it necessary to supersede Halligan, who then placed his affairs in the hands of a lawyer and procured from Richmond a transfer of his boat to the naval commander on this station. Impressed with the importance of using so formidable a vessel as this is said to be, I have continually and repeatedly urged Commodore Farrand to make Halligan attack or to place the boat in charge of one of the many clever young officers of the navy or army who have been pressing for the command of her. This, however, he did not do until, in consequence, I presume, of my official reports to higher authority he was ordered to transfer the Saint Patrick to me. I immediately asked him to let me have Lieutenant Walker, of the navy, to command her. And on placing that officer in charge of the vessel, now lying under the guns of the eastern shore, he found that Halligan had been absent from her for two weeks, and had taken off with him several essential parts of her machinery. After some search Halligan was found comfortably established in the Battle House, and Mr. Walker, by energetic and good management, has recovered from him the necessary machinery and thinks he can operate to-morrow night. I inclose a note written by me to Commodore Farrand some weeks ago. From the tenor of a letter of the honorable Secretary of the Navy to Commodore Farrand, I regret to perceive the impression has been made on his mind that a cordial desire to co-operate with each other may not exist here between the naval commander and the district commander. Our relations have always been pleasant and our intercourse free, and I shall not permit any private feelings to interfere with the business before us. When I find the commodore disagrees with my views of what is required I shall refer the matter to higher authority. I am, general, your obedient servant, DABNEY H. MAURY, [Indorsement.] ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR GENERAL'S OFFICE, Respectfully submitted to the Secretary of War. The person complained of in the within communication, John P. Halligan, was exempted January 26, 1864, upon recommendation of the Secretary of the Navy and by direction of the President, until July 1, 1864, to construct a submarine torpedo-boat. The exemption was at the expiration of said time extended while the boat should be bona fide engaged in operating against the enemy. General Maury represents Halligan as having prolonged the completion of his work with no object in view save to evade military duty. Every facility was afforded him to complete his work; he failed to avail himself of any of them. Upon application of General Maury he was removed, when he carried off several essential parts of the machinery. After some search these were recovered. H. L. CLAY, Assistant Adjutant-General. [Inclosure.] HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF THE GULF, Commodore E. FARRAND, Commanding, &c. : COMMODORE: Every opportunity and facility having been afforded Mr. Halligan to enable him to use his boat against the enemy, and he evidently not being a proper man to conduct such an enterprise, please order a suitable officer of your command to take charge of the Saint Patrick at once, and attack without unnecessary delay. I am not willing Halligan should be intrusted with any such business. He may go on the boat with the officer you will appoint to command it; and I presume the pecuniary reward granted by law on account of destruction of enemy's vessels will be secured for Mr. Halligan in case of the successful use of his invention. Pray inform me at once of your decision in the premises, as several officers of my immediate command are urgent applicants for the service we have so long been endeavoring to have accomplished. Very respectfully, yours, D. H. MAURY, Major-General, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS TRANS-MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT, Maj. Gen. FRANK. GARDNER, Commanding, &c., Jackson, Miss.: GENERAL: General Smith directs me to inclose herewith copies of communications with reference to the enemy's movements and to say that he thinks the concentration of the enemy indicates a movement against Mobile and Texas coast. He thinks, however, that it will be against Mobile. I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Lieut. Gen. R. TAYLOR, MONTGOMERY, ALA., January 26, 1865. Meridian, Miss.: We have transportation for 2,000 men per day here. So far the arrivals average only 400 men. Cannot the number be increased? If they arrive at Meridian would it not be well to send part via Mobile? Officer at Selma complains of conduct of officers and men there and asks that a general officer be sent there to control them. Lieut. Gen. R. TAYLOR, GEO. WM. BRENT, Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-General. MONTGOMERY, ALA., January 27, 1865. Meridian, Miss.: Orders assigning staff of General Hood to other commands designed only temporary. It is not intended to interfere with their permanent assignment under Special Orders, No. 302, Adjutant and Inspector General's Office, paragraph 27, 1863. They will be regarded as still on the staff of the Army of Tennessee. Lieut. Gen. R. TAYLOR, GEO. WM. BRENT, Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-General. MONTGOMERY, ALA., January 27, 1865. Meridian, Miss.: Should the tax-in-kind be not collected with sufficient rapidity in rear of the army, General Beauregard desires that you will see that it is effectually gathered. GEO. WM. BRENT, Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-General. MERIDIAN, January 27, 1865. President DAVIS: Will reply to your telegraphic inquiry relative to Adams' brigade and commander therefor as soon as I can make necessary investigations. R. TAYLOR, Lieutenant-General. MONTGOMERY, ALA., January 27, 1865. A. L. MAXWELL, Demopolis, Ala.: General Beauregard directs me to say that any orders or instructions given for repair of railroads and the removal of men and tools from Demopolis bridge are recalled. GEO. WM. BRENT, Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-General. Lieut. Col. M. MERIWETHER, MONTGOMERY, ALA., January 27, 1865. Demopolis, Ala.: General Beauregard has recalled all orders given A. L. Maxwell for removal of men and tools from Demopolis bridge. Where is Sanders' bridge company? General Taylor reports it has gone to Georgia. If so, by whose order? GEO. WM. BRENT, Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-General. General S. COOPER, ENTERPRISE, January 27, 1865. Adjutant and Inspector General: Judge Handy, of the Supreme Court, has decided adversely to claim of State to men of the military age. Governor Clark desires to turn over the whole military force to Confederate service, with their present organization. Having no power to accept them in this way, I submit the matter for your decision. These troops are at the front. It would be injudicious to disturb them. [Indorsement.] W. L. BRANDON, XLVII. Lieut. Col. J. P. Johnson, assistant adjutant-general, will proceed to Mobile and Montgomery, Ala., and examine into the military condition of affairs at those places. By command of the Secretary of War: JNO. WITHERS, Assistant Adjutant-General. |