Philip H. Sheridan to Gordon Granger, July 22, 1862

Brig. Gen. GORDON GRANGER, Commanding Cavalry Division :

GENERAL: posted the Seventh Kansas at Jacinto yesterday. I do not think there is any great necessity for having cavalry stationed at that point. There are only three avenues of approach to Jacinto from the south—one via the Fulton road, intersecting the Tuscumbia road at or near Davenport east of Jacinto. At that point General Davis has a force which would hold with perfect security the largest army the enemy could bring to hear from that direction; the place is a very strong one. The second approach is by the Booneville and Jacinto road and Marietta and Jacinto road, both of which intersect the Memphis and Tuscumbia road a short distance west of Jacinto, at which point Gen- eral Davis has a force that is entirely sufficient; this position is also a very strong one. The third approach is an obscure road leading directly south from Jacinto, intersecting the Pontotoc road about 10 miles south of Jacinto. On this last-mentioned road I encamped the Seventh Kansas about 1 mile south of Jacinto.

General Davis has all of these roads so well picketed that it was not deemed necessary to establish cavalry pickets in the advance, and the only work required of the Seventh Kansas would be to send out a scouting party every day, so as to give warning of any advance of the enemy in force. I think that General Davis is abundantly able to hold his position against any force that the enemy can bring on a general battle at that point; in case of an attack he has plenty of roads on which to retreat in case of necessity.

I respectfully offer these remarks as the impressions I received from my observations yesterday, and ask your advice as to the policy of moying the regiment nearer to me, where it would be more in hand.

very respectfully, your obedient servant,