Order

Henry W. Halleck to Major Rawlins, October 12, 1862

ROSECRANS’ HEADQUARTERS,
October 12, 1862.

October 12, 1862. Major RAWLINS: Your orders in reference to McPherson and his troops duly received, and will be carried into effect on the arrival of General McPherson and

his command. W. S. ROSECRANS, Major-General.

WASHINGTON, October 13, 1862. Maj. Gen. U. S. GRANT, Jackson, Tenn. :

GENERAL: Your letter of the 5th instant in relation to the management of railroads in your command has been received and laid before the Secretary of War. General McPherson should be relieved and assigned to his proper command, and if you have no other officer suitable for the superintending of the roads you are authorized to employ a civil engineer, paying him suitable compensation from the proceeds of the roads. It is impossible to give him a military commission, as the law allowing additional aides is repealed. Perhaps it may be revived when Congress meets again. No difficulty is encountered on other roads from the superintendent not having military rank. –

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

General-in-Ohief.

Editor's Notes
From: Operations in West Tennessee and Mississippi, Pt. 1. Summary: H. W. Halleck authorizes Major General Grant to relieve General McPherson and appoint a civilian engineer to manage railroads in his command, noting military commissions are currently unavailable.
Sources
The War of the Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 17, Part 1 View original source ↗