Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Chapter XXII: Operations in Kentucky, Tennessee, North Mississippi, North Alabama, and Southwest Virginia. March 4-June 10, 1862., Part II: Correspondence, Orders, and Returns.
Lieut. Col. Robert N. Scott, Ed.

Union correspondence, Etc.

Your dispatch just received. I cannot help him promptly in the positions in which I understand he is placing himself. You can judge of the time it will require to collect transports and reach him. Then to what extent am I to re-enforce him, if the enemy has the power to concentrate and re-enforce indefinitely Shall I not either fall short of what is necessary or else leave Nashville exposed t The enemy has the same facilities for re-enforcing on this side that he has on the other. If Halleck has based his movements on a reasonable estimate of what the enemy can do his proceedings may be right; otherwise they are wrong, if not hazardous. There is but one point, Florence, at which we can act centrally, and that I have advised him to seize and hold in force, if not too late. There is no other bridge over the Tennessee. You have seen enough to know that anything like concentrated action while we are on different sides of an impassable river is impossible. I have told Halleck that it is important for us to meet and understand these matters. Tell me, as well as you know, how he is situated.

It will be impossible for me to meet you at present, but it is very advisable that you and General Halleck should meet as soon as possible. The subject of provisional governor was arranged by the President, and the decision is final. I think your dispatch advising against it arrived too late.

Reports from Carter at Cumberland Ford. River impassable. Says the Gap has been re-enforced by three or four regiments, which is probably true. [612]

Halleck says he can't meet me. I have proposed plans to him, the first feature of which is that he seize and hold Florence, the only bridge across the Tennessee from there down. By that means we can act centrally and in any direction, and his communications be secured. At any rate I shall advance as soon as we get our transportation, now on the way. Enemy still at Shelbyville. Davis said to have been at Huntsville a few days ago. I shall make no detachments which will jeopardize Middle Tennessee and this place. Light-draught gunboats ought to be got up rapidly.

The evidence is very strong that the enemy in front of us here is breaking up and moving off. General McClellan is after him. Some part of the force may be destined to meet you. Look out and be prepared. I telegraphed Halleck, asking him to assist you, if needed.

Any suggestion that General Buell may think proper to make in regard to the time or manner of my reaching Nashville will be thankfully received. I hope you have consulted with our Union friends. Answer to Louisville. I will be there to-morrow.

I have received your dispatch from Cincinnati. I have seen and conversed somewhat frequently with the most prominent Union men in and around Nashville. They are true, but the mass are either inimical or overawed by the tyranny of opinion and power that has prevailed or are waiting to see how matters turn out. They will acquiesce when they see that there is to be stability.

You must not expect to be received with enthusiasm, but rather the reverse, and I would suggest to you to enter without any display. I shall be happy to meet you when you land and escort you to my quarters until you can provide for yourself more satisfactorily. As for the route, the river will be the most comfortable; the railroad the quickest. Perhaps time is of consequence. Please let me know when to expect you.

Special orders, no. 12.

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IX. A board of officers, to consist of Colonel Hambright, Seventy-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers; Lieutenant-Colonel Lane, First Wisconsin; [613] Captain McNally, Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, will assemble in Nashville at 12 m. on the 14th instant, to examine into the rights of ownership in cases of all stores and property in dispute in this city between citizens on the one hand and officers and agents of the Government on the other.

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By command of General Buell:

General orders, no. 1.

I. In compliance with the orders of the President of the United States the undersigned hereby assumes command of the Department of the Mississippi, which includes the present Department of Kansas and the Missouri and the Department of the Ohio and country west of a north and south line drawn through Knoxville, Tenn., and east of the western boundaries of the States of Missouri and Arkansas.

Headquarters of the Department of the Mississippi will remain, until further orders, at Saint Louis, Mo.

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My advanced division is at Columbia. The heavy rains and the destruction of bridges by the enemy will of course retard our progress somewhat. I am carrying the telegraph along. I am told the communication with Island No.10 is kept up across the bend of the river only 3 miles. We are without money, and both our credit and efficiency are suffering in consequence.

P. S.--Insert in the dispatch to General Halleck, if it is not started “The force moving toward Savannah is said to number 26,000.”

General orders, no. 7.

I. So much of the recent Department of the Ohio as is included in the present Department of the Mississippi will be designated the District of the Ohio, and will continue to be commanded by Maj. Gen. D. C. Buell. The depots of prisoners of war at Columbus and Indianapolis, and such others as may hereafter be established, will be excepted from this arrangement, and the commanding officers of these depots will report directly to these headquarters. All other officers, of whatever rank or corps, will report to General Buell as heretofore.

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By command of Major-General Halleck:

General: There seems to be a good many complaints about paroled prisoners of war in Louisville. Would it not be well to send them away, the officers to