Unknown to John A. Rawlins, September 13, 1862

Memphis, Tenn., September 13, 1862.

Maj. JoHN A. RAWLINS, Assistant Adjutant-General, Corinth, Miss. :

Sir: I wrote yesterday as to the movements of troops in this quarter. Since its dispatch the command of Brig. Gen. Morgan L. Smith has returned. The expedition was eminently successful, and I will send a full report as soon as it is made up by the officers composing it. The force, composing 1,500 infantry, 400 cavalry, and one company of artillery, marched 17 miles toward Holly Springs, when the cavalry was sent forward 7 miles farther to Coldwater, where it encountered a force of about 600 Confederate cavalry (Jackson’s and Pinson’s) and drove them after a sharp fight. We lost 1 man mortally wounded and 2 slightly. Colonel Grierson, who commanded our cavalry, reports a heavy loss of the enemy, greater than I deem possible; but will leave him to report.* General Smith, hearing of the cavalry skirmish, hurried forward to Coldwater, but on arriving found that Colonel Grierson had dispersed the force, and he therefore, in fulfillment of his written instructions, turned to the south to Hernando and on to the railroad bridge at Coldwater, 7 miles farther south, or 30 miles from Memphis. The enemy had reconstructed this bridge in the most substantial manner, and it would have been ready to receive the rails in a very few days, but he caused its utter destruction by fire, including over 500 feet of high trestle-work connected with the bridge. A saw-mill, which had furnished the timber for the bridge, was also very properly destroyed by fire. ‘This railroad bridge was about 1§ miles east of the road bridge, which was set on fire by the enemy’s pickets as they retreated across it, but the tire was extinguished, and pursuit was made to within 27 miles of Senatobia. After having completed the work of destruction the forces sent across

Joldwater were withdrawn and the road bridge effectually destroyed, when the command returned to Memphis. I consider this expedition to have been of importance. First, I know it has held in check the enemy’s force assembling at or near Holly Springs for the purpose of moving on Bolivar or your communications. Second, by the destruction of the new railroad bridge across Coldwater, the effect of which is to keep any force of the enemy on that line at a distance from our flank if a movement is ever contemplated from Memphis to the east or northeast.

The fort is progressing, and Ihave now mounted enough heavy guns to keep at defiance any force. With the present resources of the enemy in this quarter, I would surely think it well to re-enforce me with some

of the new levies, whom I could discipline and instruct, who could fight behind the breastworks, and leave my old division free to operate in the interior or along the river. I could easily give good employment to one regiment of unarmed men to man the artillery on the fort. I would be obliged if you would suggest this to General Halleck by telegraph, as it is bad policy to instruct infantry as artillerists and then take them away. Do not forget that I sent one of my regiments to Alton to be exchanged for the battalion of Thirteenth Infantry, which had been directed to Cincinnati. As near as I can learn the people in the interior are getting tired of guerrillas and partisan rangers, who are not over particular about horses and provisions, but help themselves liberally from friend and foe. All well. W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General, Commanding.

NEAR CLEAR CREEK, September 14, 1862. Major-General GRANT :

Your dispatch received. Iuka office not open; no news from there to-day. Scout in from Bay Springs says no rebel force on the Bay Springs and Jacinto road yesterday. Du Bois has cavalry 4 miles below Booneville; no rebel force there 10 a. m. Two regiments left at the old camps at sunrise yesterday going east. Secret agent in from Orizaba; small camp there; another 4 miles southwest of Ripley. Falkner reported to be Price’s body guard. Hamilton reports this a.m. our cavalry going to Iuka Springs; reports falling in with rebel cavalry near Barnett’s; suppose it was the Armstrong cavalry that tried Iuka yesterday a.m. Hamilton says our cavalry was to attack thein at daytight this morning, and he would pitch in with vigor. Nonews yet troim

acinto. W. 8S. ROSECRANS.

Sharpshooters scared out of Burnsville by a few rebel pickets, stray scalawags from the Armstrong command.

SPECIAL ORDERS, } HpqQrs. DISTRICT OF WEST TENNESSEE, No. 195. Corinth, Miss., September 15, 1862.

IV. Col. M. M. Crocker, Thirteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, is hereby assigned temporarily to command an expedition eastward, to be composed of one regiment to be detailed by Major-General Ord, the Kighth Wisconsin and Eleventh Missouri, and such other troops of BrigadierGeneral Rosecrans’ command as may be found east of Glendale. Colonel Orocker will report to Major-General Ord for instructions before leaving, and afterward report to and receive instructions from General Rosecrans, reporting by telegraph from Burnsville.

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

[JNO. A. Kigeib ney Assistant Adjutant-General.

Cuar. XXIX.} CORRESPONDENCE, ETU.—UNION. 219

RoOsECRANS’, September 15, 1862. General GRANT;

Colonel Crocker has not yet reported. I am told that the train going to Iuka leaves in fifteen minutes, but whether with troops or not I do not know. Have sent a dispatch to Colonel Mower, from whom I have not yet heard, to conduct his movement as a reconnaissance. Should Colonel Crocker go out he will consider these his orders if he ranks

Mower. W. S. ROSECRANS, Brigadier-General.