of this. There are four communications from myself to General Hooker on way to him, none of which are as yet heard from; I must, however, hear very soon, I think. There has been some cannonading heard in direction of Whiteside's and Raccoon range at intervals since 1. a. m., but not heavy or indicative of any severe engagement, and has now ceased. The officers of the steamer brought me verbal intelligence that General Morton was moving the pontoon to this point. I have sent to General Morton to know if the bridge has been taken up. If it has not, I will move in next hour, and am getting in shape to do this, leaving small guard here to protect the barges, which are on north side of the river at present. I inclose copy of my notes to General Hooker. Very truly, your obedient servant, CHARLES CRUFT, Brigadier-General, Commanding. [Inclosure No. 1.] HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, FOURTH ARMY CORPS, Rankin's Ferry, Tennessee River, Oct. 28, 1863-10 a. m. Major-General HOOKER, Commanding Corps: GENERAL: Two brigades of this division have arrived at Rankin's Ferry with Simonson's battery, say 3,600 infantry and the battery of six pieces, 12-pounder Parrotts. My orders from Major-General Thomas, commanding Department of the Cumberland, are to "cooperate with Major-General Hooker, who proceeds to the same point via south side of the river." I, therefore, report to you and await any orders. I am, general, very respectfully, yours, CHARLES CRUFT, Brigadier-General, Commanding. (Original sent via Shellmound at 10 a. m., 28th. Duplicate sent from Rankin's Ferry at 11.30 a. m. Triplicate sent from Rankin's Ferry at 7 a. m. on 29th.) [Inclosure No. 2.] HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, FOURTH ARMY CORPS, Rankin's Ferry, Tennessee River, Oct. 29, 1863-10 a. m. Major-General HOOKER : I have (some hours ago) to-day forwarded you triplicate of my report to you of yesterday. I now have the honor to inform you that I have placed four regiments of my command at Love's Ferry, opposite Shellmound, to strengthen the guard of the pontoon bridge at that point; that a steam-tug has arrived here with two barges loaded with rations for your command, and that she returns immediately to bring up others. The barges can be placed on the opposite side of the river by time your wagon train reaches here for contents. There is no way to cross river here, however, except by the towage of the steamer. Any details wanted or guards can be furnished from this command. Please be kind enough to send me your orders in the premises. Very respectfully, yours, CHARLES CRUFT, Brigadier-General, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, FOURTH CORPS, Maj. Gen. J. J. REYNOLDS, Chief of Staff, Army of the Cumberland: GENERAL: The head of my column is at Shellmound. I left one regiment (One hundred and first Ohio, Colonel Kirby), at Rankin's Ferry, with one company Sixteenth Illinois and two companies Second Michigan Cavalry, and the four-gun battery (Lieutenant Sahm) to protect the barges of rations and to cover the laying of the pontoon in case of removal. Rankin's Ferry seems to be best point for the bridge, all things considered, and it seems to have been unfortunate that it was not placed there originally. A much smaller force can protect it there than here. My troops are passing to south side of river, as ordered, and General Hooker advised of their position. I am in communication with General Hooker, who was at Brown's Ferry this a. m. My aide-de-camp advises me at 12 m. to-day, from Whiteside's, that General Hooker is at Lookout Mountain and that all is quiet in front. I will await General Hooker's orders or further orders from General Thomas. Cross your division on the bridge at Shellmound and join General Hooker's command near Wauhatchie. By order of Major-General Thomas: C. GODDARD, Lieutenant-Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Major-General HOOKER: Have ordered signal party to report to you at once. Have also ordered two additional regiments from Col. Daniel McCook's brigade to move to the bridge and be in readiness if you call upon them. J. J. REYNOLDS, Major-General, Chief of Staff. Major-General HURLBUT: CORINTH, October 30, 1863. Colonel Fuller reports that rebels followed Engineer regiment to luka, burning railroad up to that point. A considerable force is this side of Bear Creek. G. M. DODGE, COLLIERVILLE, October 30, 1863. Major-General HURLBUT: I have just returned. Will be in Memphis to-morrow. Chalmers is at Oxford. His force is scattered from Belmont to Birmingham. He will concentrate and cross the Tallahatchie within five days. He is jerking beef and baking bread for the movement. No force west of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad except Richardson, who is ou Cherry Creek, 8 miles north of Pontotoc. Yours, BELL. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Brigadier-General WHITAKER, Chattanooga, October 31, 1863. Comdg. Second Brigade, First Division, Fourth Corps: You will move with your entire brigade to the south side of the river and establish your headquarters at Shellmound, on the road to Trenton, and relieve the forces now there. The latter belong to General Geary's command, and on being relieved by your regiments will rejoin its division. You will take your camp and garrison equipage and sufficient supplies to serve you until you can be resupplied from Bridgeport. You will report at Shellmound to Brig. Gen. Charles Cruft, commanding First Division, Fourth Army Corps. By command of Major-General Thomas: J. J. REYNOLDS, Major-General, Chief of Staff. General HURLBUT: CORINTH, October 31, 1863. General Sherman will be all over on Monday, and I shall commence crossing on that day. G. M. DODGE, ALTERNATE DESIGNATIONS OF ORGANIZATIONS MENTIONED IN THIS VOLUME.* Abbott's (Ephraim P.) Artillery. See Tennessee Troops, Union, 1st Battalion, Battery A. Abercrombie's (John C.) Infantry. See Iowa Troops, 11th Regiment. Adams' (Charles H.) Heavy Artillery. See Tennessee Troops, Union, 2d Regiment, Colored. Adams' (Robert N.) Infantry. See Ohio Troops, 81st Regiment. Adams' (Silas) Cavalry. See Kentucky Troops, Union, 1st Regiment. Adams' (Wirt) Cavalry. See Mississippi Troops, Confederate. Aiken's (D. Wyatt) Infantry. See South Carolina Troops, 7th Regiment. Aiken's (John A.) Infantry. See Tennessee Troops, Confederate, 63d Regiment. Aldrich's (Simeon C.) Infantry. See Indiana Troops, 44th Regiment. Aleshire's (Charles C.) Artillery. See Ohio Troops, 18th Battery. Alexander's (James M.) Infantry. See Alabama Troops, Union, 1st Regiment, Colored. Alger's (Amos B.) Artillery. See Ohio Troops, 22d Battery. Allen's (Samuel T.) Infantry. See New York Troops, 145th Regiment. Amsberg's (George von) Infantry. See New York Troops, 45th Regiment. Anderson Cavalry. See Pennsylvania Troops, 15th Regiment. Anderson's (Paul F.) Cavalry. See Baxter Smith's Cavalry, post. Anderson's (William B.) Infantry. See Illinois Troops, 60th Regiment. Anthony's (De Witt C.) Infantry. See Indiana Troops, 66th Regiment. Armstrong's (Robert H.) Infantry. See Kentucky Troops, Union, 6th Regiment. Arndt's (Albert F. R.) Artillery. See Michigan Troops, 1st Regiment, Battery B. Ashby's (H. M.) Cavalry. See Tennessee Troops, Confederate. Ashland Artillery. See Virginia Troops. Askew's (Frank) Infantry. See Ohio Troops, 15th Regiment. Atkins' (Smith D.) Infantry. See Illinois Troops, 92d Regiment. Atwell's (Charles A.) Artillery. See Pennsylvania Troops, Battery E. Avery's (Isaac W.) Cavalry. See Georgia Troops, 4th Regiment (Avery's). Ayres' (Oliver H. P.) Artillery. See Ohio Troops, 6th Battery. Babcock's (Walter S.) Heavy Artillery. See Wisconsin Troops, 1st Regiment, Battery B. Bacon's (George A.) Cavalry. See Illinois Troops, 15th Regiment. Bacon's (George M.) Infantry. See Ohio Troops, 24th Regiment. Bainbridge's (Edmund C.) Artillery. See Union Troops, Regulars, 5th Regiment, Baltery K. Baird's (John P.) Infantry. See Indiana Troops, 85th Regiment. Baker's (Volney) Infantry. See Kentucky Troops, Union, 35th Regiment. Ballinger's (Richard H.) Infantry. See Mississippi Troops, Union, 3d Regiment. * References, unless otherwise indicated, are to index following. Banbury's (Jabez) Infantry. See Iowa Troops, 5th Regiment. Bancroft's (Eugene A.) Artillery. See Union Troops, Regulars, 4th Regiment, Battery G. Barber's (Gershom M.) Sharpshooters. See Ohio Troops, 5th Company. Barksdale's (James A.) Cavalry. See Mississippi Troops, Confederate, 5th Regiment. Bedtelyon's (Jacob) Cavalry. See Michigan Troops, 4th Regiment. Belt's (Jonathan) Cavalry. See Kentucky Troops, Union, 15th Regiment. Benjamin's (Samuel N.) Artillery. See Union Troops, Regulars, 2d Regiment, Battery E. Benson's (Rufus S.) Infantry. See Iowa Troops, 32d Regiment. Bounds' (J. M.) Cavalry. See Texas Troops, 11th Regiment. Boutell's (Ira) Infantry. See Missouri Troops, Union, 6th Regiment. Bowles' (Pinckney D.) Infantry. See Alabama Troops, Confederate, 4th Regiment. Bowman's (Daniel) Infantry. See Ohio Troops, 93d Regiment. Bowman's (George H.) Infantry. See Ohio Troops, 102d Regiment. Boyd's (Carlisle) Infantry. See Union Troops, Veteran Reserve Corps. Brandon's (William L.) Infantry. See Mississippi Troops, Confederate, 21st Regiment. |