Unknown to John A. Rawlins, September 22, 1862
Memphis, September 22, 1862.
Maj. JoHN A. RAWLINS, Assistant Adjutant-General:
Sir: Nothing whatever of interest has occurred here since my last. According to the most reliable information up to Wednesday last Breckinridge was at Davisâ Mill repairing the railroad and Villepigue at Coldwater. The guerrillas are either getting tired of their vocation or are doing their cause more harm than ours.
Things in town move along quietly and harmoniously, so far as appearances go, and all the world is awaiting news from Maryland, Kentucky, and your quarter. With the defenses of Memphis as now guarded a direct assault is not apprehended; but to be of use I ought to have men enough to operate inland. I think Steele will strike at Grenada, and the quicker we break effectually all railroads the better. We cannot use railroads without having detached guards, and the sooner both belligerents come down to common roads the better. I have a letter from Genera. Steele, at Helena, from which I infer he is also waiting the issue of events above.
I write merely to assure the general that all is well here.
Iam, &c., W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General, Commanding.
Wark DEPARTMENT, Washington, September 23, 1862â2.30 p. m. Maj. Gen. U. S. GRANT, Corinth, Miss. : Arrange with General Curtis at Saint Louis in regard to Steeleâs cooperation. New troops will be sent you as soon as they can be spared. H. W. HALLECK, General-in- Chief.
JACINTO, September 23, 1862â3 p. m. Major-General GRANT:
Information shows that only two regiments of Priceâs troops had reached the railroad last evening. Rear guard at least staid at Bay Springs yesterday. Country all clear and quiet to 4 miles below Blackland and west to the Hatchie. Shall put a brigade of Stanleyâs division at Rienzi to-morrow. Am getting full information of the routes by which we should march down. Anxiously await news from you.
O, that Corinth coud be left to take care of itself!
W. S. ROSECRANS, Major-General. BOLIVAR, September 23, 1862. Maj. Gen. U. S. Grant:
Two loads of Rossâ troops have come; the others will not be in before night. The enemy have unquestionably, from all reports, fallen back to Davisâ Mill, about 10,000 strong. Cavalry are out in pursuit.
I could [not?] move this morning because Rossâ troops did not arrive and the enemy have a dayâs start. Do you wish me to move on La Grange and Davisâ Mill with my own division? My stock is out of forage, and I must send this afternoon for a supply into the country.
S. A. HURLBUT, Brigadier- General.
Onar, XXIX.) CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.âUNION. 235
TRENTON, September 23, 1862. Maj. JOHN A. RAWLINS,
U. 8. Grantâs Headquarters :
A deserter from the Seventh Kentucky, under Breckinridge, [who] came in here this morning, isa man I know. He left Davisâ Mill, on Coldwater, Friday morning. Breckinridge was then there with 8,000. Two of the Kentucky regiments had been ordered south, their time being out, and the officers were afraid that they would desert if they came north. He says they were going to Tennessee and Kentucky to join Bragg, there was a large force of conscripts and released prisoners at Jackson when they left that place, and that they had been furloughed sixty days. About 100 left with this man; several have come in. He reports Jacksonâs cavalry between Somerville and Memphis, and that they caught
several of his party. A obo Brigadier- General.