Jno. A. Rawlins to James B. McPherson, December 17, 1862
HEADQUARTERS L/EPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE,
Oaford, Miss., December 17, 1862.
Maj. Gen. J. B. MCPHERSON, Commanding Right Wing:
I wish you as soon as practicable to make a reconnaissance to the front as far as Otuckalofa Creek with the view of making an advance to that point. I will not move my headquarters until Saturday, and then probably to Spring Dale.
JAOKSON, December 17, 1862. Major-General GRANT:
Couriers sent by Captain Carter, Tennessee cavalry, report force of several thousand rebel cavalry with battery 7 miles this side of Clifton, near McCorkleâs, estimated 10,000. I have had out since yesterday p. m. 600 cavalry with a section, with orders to proceed to Clifton. I have heard nothing from them.
NASHVILLE, December 17, 1862â2 a. m.
General SULLIVAN, Jackson :
Bragg was in Marfreesborough yesterday morning. Withers, Cheatham, and Breckinridge there yesterday. Review there by Jeff. Davis Saturday. Hardee at Triune, 12 miles west, on same day. Scouts from Waynesborough two days ago; no troops moving that way then. Davis said Middle Tennessee must, could, and should be held. Forrestâs cavalry may and probably will cross and make a raid on you. They have too many cavalry for my little force. I donât think any more will be done.
Jeff. Davis left on Sunday for Mobile.
Hpqgks. RigHT WING, THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Memphis, December 17, 1862.
General GoRMAN, Commanding, Helena, Ark. :
DEAR GENERAL: Yours of the 15th December was handed me last night. General Blair went down yesterday and will explain what regiments are to follow him. I think that Generals Halleck and Curtis will see that an adequate force is provided for the expedition to Vicksburg, and also for Helena or Napoleon, whichever may he selected for the movement into Arkansas.
I have understood from some quarter that Davidsonâs forces are moving from the Iron Mountain road toward Little Rock.
Herron and Blunt having defeated Hindman put that army in confusion for some time and relieved Southwest Missouri of the presence of a threatening force.
The Admiral is aground at Island 23. The river is very low above and may delay our fleet of transports, none of which are yet in from above. I count upon nine boats at Helena, ten here, and expect sixty from above; of these I have ordered my chief quartermaster (Eddy) to send transports enough to Helena for 12,000 men. If more than that force is to go you can hold on to the boats that bring down Blairâs brigade. Nothing is now wanting but transports; my troops here are all ready and impatient.
A boat from above just in reports a rebel force crossing the Tennessee from the east toward the west at Clifton, which is on the Tennessee, 25 miles below and north of Savannah. It may be that Bragg is going to throw his forces in this district to interpose between Grant and Columbus; but Rosecrans ought to be at his heels and Grant can easily shift his reserve to Memphis, and he ought to gain advantage by any such desperate move. I rather suspect it is designed to draw us back from our purpose of going to Vicksburg. I shall disregard these signs unless orders come from Grant or Halleck.
Yours, truly, W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General, Commanding.
GENERAL ORDERS, Hpqgrs. 13TH A. C., DEPT. OF THE TENN., No. 11. Holly Springs, December 17, 1862.
The Jews, as a class violating every regulation of trade established by the Treasury Department and also department orders, are hereby expelled from the department within twenty-four hours from the receipt of this order.
Post commanders will see that all of this class of people be furnished passes and required to leave, and any one returning after such notification will be arrested and held in confinement until an opportunity occurs of sending them out as prisoners, unless furnished with permit from headquarters.
No passes will be given these people to visit headquarters for the purpose of making personal application for trade permits.
By order of Maj. Gen. U. S. Grant:
Assistant Adjutant-General.