Jno. A. Rawlins to J. E. SmitTH, Davis™ Mill, December 26, 1862

Washington, December 26, 1862.

Brigadier-General DaviEs, Columbus, Ky. :

I beg leave to repeat that Columbus must be held at all hazards. No movements which will endanger that position must now be made. H. W. HALLECK, General-in- Chief.

CoLumBus, Ky., December 26, 1862. Major-General OURTIS, Saint Louis, Mo. :

Safely arrived. We can hold the post against the entire Confederacy, but not strong enough to go out and whip the rascals. Can you spare the Twenty-ninth Iowa? Send Colonel Cornyn’s regiment to report to

me here. CLINTON B. FISK, Brigadier-General.

CoLumsBUs, Ky., December 26, 1862. Colonel LEWIS, Commanding Twenty-eighth Wisconsin :

Siz: You will proceed with your regiment on board the steamer Black Hawk down the river to Hickman. You will meet the gunboat New Era on the way up or find her at Hickman. If you do not, you must land your regiment above Hickman, out of range of artillery if any is there, and capture and totally destroy two large guns, which I am informed the rebels are mounting at that point on the bank of the river. They are two large pieces of ordnance left there by the navy as condemned. They are mounting them on the river bank. Burnall the gun-carriages you can find on the river bank or in the town, and utterly destroy the guns if you can or roll them into the river if you cannot get them away by any other means. Take good care that while you are doing this by a detail that you are not surprised by a charge of cavalry. I hope you will use every precaution to resist an attack if one is made. I do not fear that you will be so attacked; but if you are do the best you cap. You will know the gunboat when you meet her by her color being brown.

I send with you Captain Hutchens, who has been in command of Hickman, and a guide who will tell you where you can land above Hickman.

Have your steamboat while you are ashore lay off a little way in the stream, say 20 or 30 feet, so that she may not be surprised during your absence. The remainder I leave to your discretion.

THOS. A. DAVIES, Brigadier. General.

If you can ascertain any one who has been engaged in this operation arrest them and bring them up here. When you have accomplished the work you will return to this place.

THOS. A. DAVIES, Brigadier-Generat.

COLUMBUS, December 26, 1862. COMMANDING OFFICER GUNBOAT NEW ERA:

Sm: I send a regiment of infantry to assist in landing at Hickman. 1 am informed that they are mounting two large guns at that place, which were thrown off there by the navy as condemned. . It is very heavy ordnance, and if they are not destroyed will give some trouble. I wish you would take such steps, with the aid of the infantry, as to prevent their use by totally destroying them. If they have fired on any boat or made such preparations you know what to do. You probably have your orders from Admiral Porter. I leave the rest to your discretion.

Look through the town and see if there is anything else that can be used and destroy that also.

THOS. A. DAVIES, Brigadier-General.

CAMP NEAR TALLAHATOHIE, December 26, 1862. Major-General GRANT:

GENERAL: I have selected a place on this side of the river near one of the new rebel batteries for the cars to stop at when they run down with supplies, &c. The mills which General Sherman had in operation where Colonel Buckland’s brigade was are on the south side of the Tallahatchie, on Hurricane Creek, and‘ about 12 miles from here. By moving Denver’s division to Wyatt and rebuilding the bridge across the river I could place a brigade at the mills and set them to running again. Colonel Leggett has a small mill in operation near Abbeville, and will, I think, have another started soon.

JAS. B. McPHERSON, Major-General.

HoLLy SPRINGS, December 26, 1862. Maj. Gen. J. B. MCPHERSON, Abbeville, Miss. : I hardly think it would pay to detach a division so far from the main body, but if you think it would you can send Denver to Wyatt. No news from Van Dorn or our cavalry. The rebels are encamped up near Trenton. I expect they will do serious damage to the road near

Union City. pa Major-General.

Camp ON TALLAHATOHIE, December 26, 1862.

Dispatch received. Every means will be taken to secure everything in the [way] of provisions which this section will supply. I have di rested my command to be placed on half rations until it is definitely known how soon we will get a supply over the railroad. Colonel Leggett’s command will remain at Abbeville to-day and possibly to-morrow, depending somewhat upon the weather and news of the enemy’s movements.

No word as yet from Colonel Hatch. — JAS. B. MoPHERSON,

HoLiy SPRINGS, Miss., December 26, 1862.

Maj. Gen. J. B. MCPHERSON, f Commanding Right Wing:

Van Dorn passed Ripley yesterday going south. Our cavalry was after him, but from 6 to 10 miles in the rear. Van Dorn got the start by making a march after he had apparently encamped for the night. The hope now is that Hatch may have succecded in heading him south until other troops come up. I think by foraging liberally we can give the men more than half rations, but would not give more from the supply on hand. The road north of Trenton is worse than at first reported. I have directed work to progress toward Memphis. I ordered Sullivan to mount infantry to follow those fellows up north. He reports that he can mount 1,500 at once.

HOLLY SPRINGS, Miss., December 26, 1862. Maj. Gen. J. B. MOPHERSON, Abbeville, Miss:

Send Denver’s division to Moscow and La Fayette. I will commence opening that road. U. 8. GRANT, Major-General.

CoRINTH, December 26, 1862. Maj. Gen. U. S. Grant, Holly Springs:

My scouts are in from east of Tennessee River; left Waynesborough and Clifton yesterday. At former-place are about 500 Mississippi cavalry; at Clifton, about 100. At Old Town a large lot of hogs are collected in charge of Robertson’s cavalry. Yesterday the citizens at Savannah had a fight with some of Robertson’s company; wounded 2 and took 6 prisoners, which the scouts brought here. Some of my cavalry crossed to-night to help them through. In Wayne County are some 200 armed Union men, whom the Mississippi cavalry have been sent to put down. At Old Carrollsville Forrest has his trains and what he has captured. A good regiment of cavalry could capture the lot, or a force up the river from Fort Henry could catch them. Men from Clifton who saw Forrest cross say he did not cross over 3,500 men. I think he will return farther down the river. River is very low. No movement of Bragg that I can discover. Jeff. Davis in Chattanooga last Sunday; Johnston with him.

G. M. DODGE, Brigadier-General.

CORINTH, December 26, 1862. Brig. Gen. J. C. SULLIVAN:

There must be some mistake about Van Dorn being at Brownsville,

as he was in Ripley yesterday. My cavalry just in from there bring prisoners from his column going south.

CORINTH, MIss., December 26, 1862. Major-General GRANT:

One of our men arrived yesterday from Tullahoma, Tenn.; ten days on the road. The main body of Bragg’s army was there. They were retreating to Chattanooga. All the stores were being sent there and they were collecting all the corn and stock and forage, taking it to Chattanooga. On his road he met fifteen droves of hogs, cattle, and sheep, in Lincoln and Giles Counties, all being driven to the same place. They saw men from Bragg’s army in three counties to the Tennessee River, collecting produce and stock and taking it all that way. He brings same report as sent two days ago of force south of Tennessee

River. G. M. DODGE, Brigadier- General.

HOLLY SPRINGS, December 26, 1862. General SULLIVAN, Jackson, Tenn. :

Van Dorn went to Bolivar pursued by our cavalry, then struck southeast through Saulsbury and Ripley. Our cavalry was still in pursuit at that point, and have not since been heard from. This was yesterday. They are now near Grenada. Two deserters came in from Van Dorn to-day; they left him 10 miles north of New Albany at 10 o’clock last night, still going south. If there is any cavalry north of the Hatchie it must be some small irregular band.

Send cars to Davis’ Mill and I will order four regiments more up to you. Collect all the bacon, beef, hogs, sheep, and grain you can from planters. Mount all the infantry you can and drive Forrest east of the

Tennessee. U. S. GRANT, Major-General.

HoLLy SPRINGS, Miss., December 26, 1862. General SULLIVAN:

How are your forces now located? U. S. GRANT, Major-General.

JACKSON, December 26, 1862—11.20 a. m. Major-General GRANT:

I have one-third of my force opening road to Union City, under command of General Haynie. I have under Colonel Lawler 1,000 men who have been after the rebs, and will to-day be at Toone’s Station or on their return. I will send immediately that force north on railroad. I am unable to get nearer the enemy than within sight, when they immediately retreat. ae

My cavalry was entirely broken up, and it is difficult to reorganize it. All my officers telegraph that they are collecting forage and cattle, but have received no statement of amount. Van Dorn is reported to have escaped our cavalry, and, crossing the Hatchie, has made his way to join Forrest. Reports from Obion are less favorable, but as they are merely rumors I do not place much rel’ance on them.

JER. C. SULLIVAN, Brigadier-General.

DECEMBER 26, 1862. SULLIVAN:

What success did you have in collecting forage and subsistence? You had better collect all the bacon and meat from the secessionists in town to use in case of emergency. If they don’t like the associatiou of Yankees, let them move south among their friends.

U. 8. GRANT, Major-General.

Houiy Sprines, December 26, 1862. General SULLIVAN: Can you collect enough to. mount three or four regiments of infantry to pursue Forrest? If you can, do it. U. 8. GRANT,

HOLLy SPRINGS, Miss., December 26, 1862. General SULLIVAN: Have you a force moving north sufficient to drive out the rebels from the road? Those fellows should be kept off the road at least. U. 8. GRANT, Major-General.

[DECEMBER 26, 1862.] General S.:

It is important that the road between you and Corinth and the Junetion should be secure beyond a peradventure. Have you made arrangements to send for four regiments at Davis’ Mill?

U. 8S. GRANT, Major-General.

DECEMBER 26, 1862. SULLIVAN:

My cavalry is now in pursuit of Van Dorn, and must be near Grenada. They will be well tired out by the time they return. Do you hear anything of the force ordered from Fort Henry to co-operate with you?

U. S. GRANT, Major-General.

DECEMBER 26, 1862. SULLIVAN: Make the best disposition you can to drive Forrest out, and communicate with me often what you are doing. Good-night. U. S. GRANT, Major-General.

HOLLY SPRINGS, December 26, 1862. General SULLIVAN, Jackson : Dodge learns from persons who saw Forrest cross the Tennessee River that he has but 3,500 men at the furthest. Act on the theory that he has no more. U. 8. GRANT, Major-General.

Cuar. XXIX.) CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.—UNION. 491

JACKSON, December 26, 1862—3.30 p. m. Major-General GRANT:

The following dispatches I have this moment received from General Haynie, dated at Trenton at noon to-day:

GENERAL: We arrived here at noon. I met one of my scouts who went up toward Columbus day before yesterday. He reported to me that all I have heard of the favorable condition of the road and bridges is untrue; says that Union City was taken and all or nearly all the bridges and trestles are burned that high up, and that it will take a long while to repair them. The rebel force is large. I can move after Forrest, but then I leave points unguarded; and a force of several hundred are threatening the road between Humboldt and this point north of Brownsville.

Colonel Dawson has a regiment, and John Irwin, brother-in-law of Cheeny, of Savanteports another force of cavalry or mounted infantry as crossing the Tennessee. I can possibly mount 1,500 men. I will do so and attack if I can.

JER. C. SULLIVAN, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

JACKSON, December 26, 1862—7.30 p. m. Major-General GRANT:

Van Dorn seems to be in north of Hatchie with a large force. Forrest is near Union City. Mr. Spears brings me information that Van Dorn is planning an attack on Jackson. I think now, general, that a sufficient force should be speedily sent here to capture the whole of this force. Iam not able with my small force to assume the offensive and guard what we yet hold.

JER. C. SULLIVAN, Brigadier. General.

JACKSON, December 26, 1862—8.30 p. m. Major-General GRANT:

Every available man is now uorth. I will send this evening troops that have just returned from a fatiguing march. I have no doubt that the design of the rebels is to weaken this post by making me send off my men, and then, marching rapidly to the rear, capture and destroy the stores. What can be done shall be done.

JER. O. SULLIVAN, Brigadier-General.

JACKSON, December 26, 1862. U. S. GRANT:

Colonel Webster will farnish the cars to-morrow. The cars will probably follow the mail train in the morning. I can secure the road as you wish. I have organized my forces to meet Forrest. I have made every attempt to mount infantry but cannot succeed in procuring more than 1,000 horses. I believe by moving toward Dresden and Paris Forrest will be compelled to pass behind Bolivar and Jackson to escape. Unless he has arrangements for crossing the Tennessee lower than Clifton, your cavalry can meet him.

JACKSON, December 26, 1862. General GRANT:

General Haynie has at Trenton about 1,000 me: at Humboldt 475; Colonel Lawler has 1,000 men just returning from pursuits. General Brayman has tworegiments Fuller’s brigade, Forty-third Mlinois, Twelfth Michigan, Fiftieth Indiana. 1 have two regiments of Fuller’s brigade and scattering forces at Bethel, Forty-eighth and Forty-ninth Illinois and one battery at Bolivar, one section with Haynie, one with Lawler;

balance here. JER. C. SULLIVAN.

SPECIAL ORDERS, Hpgrs. 13TH A. C., DEPT. OF THE TENN., No. 53. } Holly Springs, Miss., December 26, 1862.

I. Brig. Gen. John E. Smith is hereby assigned to the command of the Eighth Division, left wing, Army of the Tennessee, and will report at once to Brig. Gen. O. S. Hamilton.

By order of Maj. Gen. U. S. Grant:

[JNO. A. RAWLINS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
HouuLy SPRINGS, Miss., December 26, 1862.
Brig. Gen. J. E. SmitTH, Davis’ Mill:
Sullivan is calling for more troops to drive the rebels out of the north
part of Tennessee.
I have notified him that I will send four regiments if he will send
cars. You may hold them in readiness from your command to embark