Jas. B. McPherson to RAWLINS, Assistant Adjutant-General, October 27, 1862

Boliwar, Tenn., October 27, 1862.

Major-General HURLBUT, Jackson, Tenn. :

GENERAL: I have been considering the matter of the disposition of our forces, and respectfully present the following views:

First. Since the battle of Corinth the line of operations on the part of the rebels has changed, and they have practically abandoned the Mobile and Ohio road north of Columbus, if, as was told just before I left Corinth, the enemy had burned a part of their stores at Tupelo. He is now concentrating on the Mississippi Central, in vicinity of Holly Springs. Hence the necessity of a large cavalry force at Corinth has been to a great extent removed and transferred to this section. We have here to scour the country from Somerville to Pocahontas with a force of less than 700 men, many of them badly armed and with poor horses. The cavalry, besides furnishing the patrols for scouring the country, has to furnish escorts for forage trains, advance pickets, orderlies, &c., so that it is with difficulty that I can muster 400 men for any important expedition.

Again, in view of the position which the enemy at present occupies Pocahontas is an important point, commanding one of the principal crossings of the Hatchie and the roads leading from Ripley, Salem, &c., to other points on the railroad. A force there would also be enabled to guard Davis’ Bridge, across the Hatchie, which can be destroyed at

any time now when the rebels feel disposed, and which if destroyed would delay the movements of troops from this point tc Corinth and vice versa. A force at Pocahontas would be within comparatively easy supporting distance of Corinth or this place should either be attacked.

In view of these facts I would respectfully suggest that two divisions now at Corinth—if troops cannot be procured from any other point—be sent to Pocahontas, say the Second and Sixth of the old Army of the Tennessee, and that one of the brigades of cavalry under Colonels Hatch or Lee be divided between Pocahontas and this point. With this arrangement and a proper understanding between the forces at Memphis, Corinth, and this point I feel satisfied that we could clear this section of guerrillas, prevent the raids of regular rebel cavalry, and keep open a line of communication from Memphis to Corinth.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JAS. B. McPHERSON,
Major-General.
BOLIVAR, October 27, 1862.
Major RAWLINS, Assistant Adjutant-General :
You area trump. I would rather have Wilson for my engineer than
any officer I know. We are old friends; came home from California
together last year.
MoPHERSON.