J. H. Hammond to Department, October 22, 1862

October 22, 1862.

No. 285. } Memphis, October 22, 1862.

Col. B. H. Grierson, Sixth Illinois Cavalry, will prepare a select battalion of about 400 strong and leave Memphis to-night at about 3 a. m., so as to reach the vicinity of Colliersville about sunrise; then make a feint against’ Mount Pleasant and Coldwater, and turn north of Wolf River, passing the Somerville road near Risiug Sun, and camp the first night so as to deceive the enemy as to his design; then turn upon Shelby Depot and clean out effectually such buildings as have been used for a rendezvous to guerrillas operating thereabouts, and then strike for the Mississippi at Randolph. ee

II. Colonel Stuart, of the Fifty-fifth Illinois, will with the effective strength of his regiment about the same time move on Raleigh and Union Depot and there destroy the depot buildings and such as are used exclusively by guerrilla bands, and operate in that neighborhood thoroughly. ‘ i F

III. The quartermaster, Captain Fitch, will have two small or one large steamboat at Randolph to take on board the cavalry when it reaches that point, viz, on Friday morning, there to await Colonel Grierson’s orders.

IV. These orders will be delivered to each commander by an aide-decamp, and will be kept strictly secret. Preparations will be made for an absence of three days, and each commander will act with a knowledge and in concert of the movements of the other. The object is to completely destroy Falkner’s band of guerrillas, already in confusion from their losses at Island 10.

Vv. All armed men must be destroyed or captured, their houses and property to be destroyed or brought away. But our officers and soldiers must be informed that already a reaction has begun in Tennessee, of which we should take advantage. The people at large should be made to feel that in the existence of a strong Government, capable of protecting as well as destroying, they have a real interest; that they must at once make up their minds or else be involved in the destruction that awaits armed rebellion against the nation’s will.

Subordinates and privates must not pillage, but commanders may do anything necessary to impress upon the people that guerrillas must be driven from their midst, else they must necessarily share the consequences.

By order of Maj. Gen. W. T. Sherman:

Assistant Adjutant-General.
Wak DEPARTMENT,
Washington, October 23, 1862.
Maj. Gen. ROSECRANS, Corinth :
The disposition of the arms mentioned in your telegram was occasioned
by the Department being misled by a person supposed to be acting for
you. The error has been corrected, and a proper direction given, so