I. F. Quinby to W. 8S. Rosecrans, June 17, 1862
Columbus, Ky., June 17, 1862.
Col. JAMES R. SLAOK, Commanding U. 8. Forces, Memphis, Tenn. :
OOLONEL: The Crescent City has at this moment arrived from Memphis, and by her your dispatch of the 15th is received.* I fully appreciate the difficulties of your position, and wish it was in my power to send you a sufficient force to enable you to overcome them at once and effectually. I have been waiting for the last week for a transport by which to send you five companies of cavalry from this place. The Crescent City will start with them so soon as they can be placed on board and the steamer be coaled.
I fully approve your course so far. Be mild but firm, and do not by any means yield your position on the currency question. This policy, if adopted in all the places we occupy in which the Confederate money has obtained circulation by forcing its immense volume within narrow limits, will finally cause the bubble to burst and help to open the eyes of the reflective people of the South to see not only the hopelessness but also the wickedness of their cause.
The insubordination of Colonel Fitch has become too marked and is too clearly intentional to be longer tolerated without serious injury to the service, and it must be instantly checked and punished with even more severity than it would be necessary to show were he a private soldier instead of holding the commission and exercising the functions of the colonel of a regiment. You will if possible send an order of arrest after Colonel Fitch, but if that be not advisable or practicable you will place him in arrest immediately on his return from the expedition andertaken by him in direct violation of your orders.
very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Brigadier-General Volunteers, Commanding District.
[JUNE 17, 1862.âFor Johnson to Halleck, see Series I, Vol. XVI,
Part II, p. 36.]
CoRINTH, June 18, 1862.
General W. 8S. ROSECRANS:
General Nelson seems to be very apprehensive of an attack by Price
and Van Dorn from Fulton. Post yourself as to roads and be ready