Clinton B. Fisk to Brigadier. General, December 29, 1862
Columbus, Ky., December 29, 1862.
Maj. Gen. SAMUEL R. CURTIS, Commanding Department Missouri :
GENERAL: I have the honor to report the forces from your department now on duty temporarily at this post as in good fighting condition and ready for action at the tap of the drum. Your prompt response to the call for aid from threatened Columbus must ever be regarded by the War Department as a very commendable instance of military courtesy.
From all the reports I can gather from deserters, intelligent contrabands, and reliable gentlemen I conclude that the brigand Forrest, with about 8,000 mounted rebels with eight pieces of artillery, undertook a raid on @ large scale upon the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, his intention being the destruction of the railroad and the immense stock of supplies on hand here, together with cars, engines, public buildings, steamers, &c., and then fall back toward Memphis and La Grange. He was rapidly accomplishing his purpose when re-enforcements began to arrive from Saint Louis. His bands are now scattering, he in the mean time holding his headquarters at a point about 10 miles distant, where he is throwing up fortifications. I have been begging General Davies to let me take 4,000 men and go out there and whip him (Forrest), but the general will not allow the movement, is quite nervous about the post, but I am fully convinced we could defeat or skedaddle theâ entire rebel horde. I know I am a young general, but I believe I am old enough to see through a mill-stone with so large a hole init. Unless I am much
mistaken the entire line of railroad could be put in order in ten days and your forces be relieved and sent on down to Helena, but General Grant cannot keep this line open and running with his present force in this district. I-trust that in no event your forces here and myself will be retained on this side of the river. I am not yet advised whether or not Colonel Scott, of the Thirty-second lowa, executed General Daviesâ order respecting the destruction of our works at New Madrid and the evacuation of that post. It is rumored here to-day that. Jeff. Thompson and [W. L.] Jeffers are marching toward New Madrid, with quite a large force. I believe Colonel Scott could make a successful resistance.
Gunboat has not yet arrived.
Your boys are all in fine spirits and very desirous to get back under your immediate direction.
very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Brigadier. General.
CoLUMBUS, Ky., December 29, 1862â10 a. m.
Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief:
Colonel Ihrie, of General Grantâs staff, came through last night from
Trenton. Officers are arriving by land. Report no forces west of railroad. Road reported complete to Dyer, and telegraph communication
and trains running all the way down, as before. From best information
the enemy have left or are concentrating. I think the former most