Unknown, December 28, 1861
December 28, 1861.
No. 26. Cairo, December 28, 1861.
Whereas there are now at Cape Girardeau, Paducah, Smithland, and Cave in Rock, places within this military district, many persons who have been driven from their homes and deprived of the means of subsistence by the acts of disloyal citizens of Kentucky and Missouri, and their substance taken for the support of a rebellion against this Government, humanity dictates that these people should be comfortably supported, and justice demands that the class of persons who have caused their sufferings should bear the expense of the same :
It is ordered, therefore, that at the place named suitable quarters shall be provided and contributions collected for their support, and accounted forin the manner prescribed in General Orders, No. 24, from headquarters Department of the Missouri, with this addition :
Persons of Northern birth and education who are liable to assessment
under this order will be taxed 50 per cent. more than Southern men of their elass and means.
The refugees at Cave in Rock will be invited and means of transportation provided to Smithland or Paducah.
These contributions will be collected as far out as the military arm can securely extend, and at these distant points will be assessed and rie oe without the intervening of time between assessment and colection.
Commanding officers at Paducah, Ky., and Cape Girardeau, Mo., are particularly charged with the execution of this order.
By order of Brig. Gen. U.S. Grant:
JNO. A. RAWLINS, Assistant Adjutant-General.
LEBANON, Ky., December 28, 1861. Brig. Gen. BUELL, Louisville, Ky. :
Colonel Bramlette writes at 7 [9] p.m. last evening, confirming his report of yesterday, that the enemy areat Jamestown, about 3,000 strong. Shall I move down to Columbia to Bramletteâs aid? One brigade might be moved and let supplies follow. .
brigadier-General, U. S. Volunteers.
LOUISVILLE, December 28, 1861. (Received Lebanon, December 28, 1861.)
General THOMAS, Lebanon:
Yes, go on, not to his aid, but to the object we discussed ; that is what I want done, and to be entirely successful it must be conducted with secrecy and without any tarrying on the road.
Order supplies to be purchased there as well as sent.
D. C. BUELL, Brigadier- General. –
; CAMP BOYLE, December 28, 1861. Gen. GEORGE H. THomas:
The pickets sent out bring in the news that the rebels have fallen back from Jamestowu 7 miles, having been frightened by the picket fight at Jamestown, by the impression that the forces here were near Jamestown and in front of their movement.
They will now most likely reeross to the south side of the river at Mill Springs, being in 7 miles of that crossing, which is in their possession. “They are evidently greatly disturbed by their position, and I think it very probable will now retire, by the same route they came into Kentucky. That they are retreating or about to do so I am well satisfied from the accounts I get of their recent acts in Clinton. They are now seizing everything they can carry off. The inhabitants are fleeing from before their marauding parties, that devastate as they go. “This is an evidenee of their retiring, being the course pursued by them as they leave. The forces that were at Jamestown are the same that composed the advance guard when they first invaded Kentucky, viz, Stanton and Murray’s regiments, with the addition of McReaâs regiment of cavalry
added to the cavalry of Bledsoe. That they purposed passing down the river on the north side is ascertained to be certain, and were deterred by supposing that the Third Kentucky, Haggard’s, and Wolford’s regiments were intercepting them. . edd
I think it possible they may attempt to pass back through Wayne, Clinton, and Cumberland by Burkesville. I will take steps to watch, and if such movement is attempted, will intercept and thwart it at Burkesville.
You may be assured, general, that while Iam in the service obedience to orders will mark my actions. But these devils who infest the country make me very impatient to get after them and amongst them, and I can but give [expression] to my anxiety to move upon the marauding traitors.
Colonel Wolford is still at his camp on Green River and will remain there until otherwise ordered from headquarters. His position is dangerous, if the enemy choose to avail themselves of his isolation. It is the most indefensible position that could be selected in 10 miles of that place, and places him where all escape could be wholly cut off.
Respectfully : 4 THO. E. BRAMLETTE, Colonel, Commanding Post.
No change since yesterday. The rebels occupy the same position and are seizing all in their reach. Respectfully, THO. E. BRAMLETTE,
âLOUISVILLE, Ky., December 29, 1861â12 p. m. Maj. Gen. GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN:
I had designed 12,000, but when so much depends on circumstances which may arise while our transportation is getting ready it would be vain to say the enemy is not idle; and, as he travels only by railroad, when he gets started he travels faster. I am writing you to-night. Schoepf is not incompetent, but has not slrown much enterprise at Somerset. I must reserve my judgment about him. Loath to recommend
any colonels yet. D. â¬. BUELL, Drigadier- General.
LOUISVILLE, Ky., December 29, 1861.
Maj. Gen. GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN, Commanding U. S. Army:
My DEAR FRIEND: It startles me to think how much time has elapsed since my arrival and to find myself still in Louisville. I certainly have had a good deal to do and have been very busy about it, but I am satisfied that very few men accomplish as much as is possible, and I cannot assume to be an exception. It has taken time to get necessary supplies, but transportation is the great trouble I have to deal with. Swords is physically unequal to the emergency, and he has but few assistants. I telegraphed you last night that it would be necessary to make a change, though I did it with very great regret. Dickerson, I am assured, is capable, and he has at least the merit of physical vigor. I hope the transfer will have been made at once. The shortcomings of subordinates I always regard as the fault of the commander, and so I desire to make no excuse for my. tardiness out of these delays.
-C’Ouar. XVII] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.âUNION. 521
I have this moment received your dispatch. I intend a colunin of 12,000 men, with three batteries, for East Tennessee; but, as I have telegraphed you, it is impossible to fix a time for it to be there, so much depends on the circumstances which may arise in the mean time.
My unavoidable advance to Green River has thoroughly startled the enemy and he is strengthening himself in men and positions rapidly. O. F. Smith telegraphs me that two brigades, with twelve guns, say 6,000 men, were ordered from Camp Beauregard to beat Bowling Green yesterday, and I have information that Floyd’s division, say 6,000, arrived last Thursday. I have information also of the arrival of 10,000 men from Mississippi; but they may be those that Smith tells me of, though my information is that they came through Nashville, which would make it somewhat doubtful. At all events there are doubtless 30,000 men now at Bowling Green; and, unless checked by strong demonstrations and attacks on Columbus and the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers, the number can easily be increased to 50,000 or even 60,000 before I can get there. These facts make the co-operation 1 have in former letters mentioned as important quite essential now to any great success. It is quite essential, too, that the success should be speedy, or otherwise the enemy will be so strong in West Tennessee and Kentucky from Bowling Green to Columbus as to increase our work vastly.
It is my conviction that all the force that can possibly be collected should be brought to bear on that front of which Columbus and Bowling Green may be said to be the flanks. The center, that is, the Cumberland and Tennessee where the railroad crosses them, is now the most vulnerable point. I regard it as the most important strategical point in the whole field of operations. The possession of it secures their force and gives access through the two rivers to the very center of their power. While they hold it, at least two-thirds of the whole force on that front may safely be considered available for any one point that is threatened. This I am satisfied you have seen, and that you perceive the importance of co-operation against the center and flanks.
The movement on East Tennessee attacks their rear, and, if properly supporied, promises great results. The first 12,000 must probably be followed by others, particularly as it will be unsafe, if not absolutely impossible, to carry along the outfit for 10,000 men. With it the column would employ some 1,200 teams of all descriptions and occupy a stretch of road that the troops could not protect, to say nothing of the difficulty of foraging so many animals in a country which affords but scanty supplies. These arms must therefore be taken in by installments, or strongly protected at depots, where the volunteers can be organized to receive them.
In any event I must tell you what I have been unwilling to do all along, that you will require more troops in Kentucky. Donât acknowledge this, however, but act on it.
Let me stop for to-night. It is 3 oâclock, and I have to get up at 5 to go to Green River, where McCook telegraphs me he is threatened by a strong force. q
Truly, yours, D. C. BUELL.
DECEMBER 29, 1861. General McCook, Munfordville : How far on the other side of the river would it be necessary for you to go to secure a strong position or prevent the enemy from taking one? D. â¬. BUELL, Brigadier- General.
Camp Woon, December 29, 1861. General D. C. BUELL:
The hills rise about 2,000 yards in front of: me and continue in succession to Cave City. To resist an attack and secure the bridge I am stronger on this side. Only one hill commands my camp, and it is about 14 or 2 miles off. Ihave not reconnoitered beyond the first range. I can have a beautiful play of artillery on the approach to the bridge.
I can take no position in front that cannot be turned by a superior force. My cavalry pickets extend beyond the upper pike.