Unknown to Thomas A. Davies, December 25, 1862
December 25, 1862.
Island No. 10, December 25, 1862.
Brig. Gen. THomAsS A. DAVIES, Commanding District of Columbus :
Sir: This morning i received a dispatch from you at the hands of one G. R. Heubach, directing me toâ
Destro; all the ammunition ; burn all the wood-work belonging to guns; spike them all. Be quick.
The dispatch comes in such a questionable shape I very much doubt its genuineness, and am at a loss how to act. We are well fortified here, and I think can resist any attack. In this state of affairs, I do not feel authorized to destroy any Government property unless I am convinced beyond a doubt it is by your order. Heubach came down from Columbus in a skiff, according to his story, and brought with him a number of spikes, to be used on our guns. We shall hail all boats coming from above, and prevent their landing until they send out a yawl to assure us it is all right. Wil you inform me at once what further action I shall take?
Major Thirty-fourth Indiana, Commanding at Island No. 10. [Inclosure No. 2.]
Hpqgs. Dist. oF COLUMBUS, DEPT. OF THE TENNESSEE, Columbus, Ky., December 25, 1862. Major JoNES, Commanding at Island No. 10:
The order I sent you last evening to ââ destroy ammunition, and burn gun-carriages, and spike,â I hope you have carried out. Send up by the OâBrien 500 rounds of canister; 8-inch if you have it. The object I have in view is so to cripple the armament there that it will not be available to the enemy as a point of defense in case they should capture
it. You can save such of the guns as will be serviceable for your owL defense, but be careful not to retain too much ammunition. THOS. A. DAVIES, Brigadier-General.