Unknown to Henry W. Halleck, September 16, 1862
Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, General-in- Chief:
For ten days or more the enemy have been hovering in our front in reported large force. I have watched their moves closely until I could concentrate my forces. All arenowin good shape. Hurlbutâs division has come from Memphis to Bolivar and about 6,000 troops from Bolivar brought here. General Price is southeast from us, near Bay Springs, moving northeast. It is reported that Van Dorn and Breckinridge are to join and attack. From the best information they cannot reach here under four days. My view is they are covering a move to get General Price into East Tennessee. If I can I will attack Price before he crosses Bear Creek. If he can be beaten there it will prevent either the design to go north or to unite forces and attack here.
Major-General, Commanding. SEPTEMBER 16, 1862. Major-General GRANT: The following just been received from Colonel Mower, and is the latest information we have, dated Burnsville: I have already reported that the people in the vicinity say Price is at Iuka with a strong force. I donât know whether it is reliable or not; I am going to see. J. A. MOWER, Colonel Eleventh Missouri Volunteers. Hamilton reports nothing new; all quiet in his vicinity. Cavalry officers think Price is on the Fulton and Iuka road. Scouts are out to ascertain the facts; are expected in soon. Du Bois reports all quiet in
his vicinity. W. S. ROSECRANS.
Cuar. XX1X.) CORRESPONDENCE, ET¢!:âUNION. 221
RosEcRANSâ, September 16, 1862. General GRANT:
Do I understand you that am to go up by rail to support Mower, ox that you send up 1,400 men for that purpose? I will consult Du Bois about that move to-night. Aamiltonâs position is a good support to anything of that sort.
ROSECRANSâ, September 16, 1862. General GRANT:
The orders are all out. Colonel Mizner will direct one regiment of cavalry to move this afternoon from Rienzi. Do you not think it would be best to leave one battalion of cavalry to cover that front and conceal movement? I will direct the infantry to begin to move this p. m.
ROSEORANSâ, September 16, 1862. General GRANT:
You have the telegram from Du Bois. I have directed Colonel Gilbert to move up the Thirty-ninth Ohio from Johnsonâs, 4 miles north of Jacinto, to Harveyâs Mill, about 2 miles south of Burnsville, where there is a blind road leading to Iuka; to post himself advantageously, then send forward three companies to reconnoiter and cut off the cavalry that burned the train, and send up a company to Burnsville. Prime is to notify General Ross and Colonel Mower of what is coming. I think things will work out. I now find our stores were wagoned down toward Bay Springs; our cavalry heard the train moving down and saw those who had seen the packages with our marks on them. Only one regiment of infantry and one of cavalry has gone from Du Bois. Shall more be moved to-night, or await further instructions ?
W. S. ROSECRANS, Brigadier-General