Unknown to Ulysses S. Grant, July 18, 1862
July 18, 1862.
Major-General GRANT, Oorinth :
I have just telegraphed Thomas, inquiring if there are not points south of the road where our troops massed could cover the front, preserve discipline, and damage the rebel bands who come up on adventures and mischief. I am fully satisfied that, with a strong nucleus at Tupelo, waiting attack or opportunity for mischief, they have sent considerable to Vicksburg, with an intermediate point above Grenada, and detached a strong column toward Mobile and Richmond, while another under Price has gone toward Chattanooga or Rome. They cover their front by cavalry and guerrillas. They have a desert country of dry ravines and rough ridges on their front below us, and can move much better toward Fulton or westward by their front.
W. S. ROSECRANS, Brigadier-General, U. 8. Army.
BETHEL, TENN., July 18, 1862. Brigadier-General LOGAN:
A man sent in for the purpose reports that a company of guerrillas are in Henderson County, this side of Decaturville. They are there to prevent a company from Farmington joining Union Tennessee regiment, and have killed one Union man and have many under arrest. Wiley Miller or James Farmington, at Decaturville, can show where they can be found. My cavalry is all out on duty or I would send them over there.
Ww. W. SANFORD, Tieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Bethel.
JACKSON, July 18, 1862. Colonel SANFORD, Commanding : Your dispatch is received, and forces will be started in the morning to attend to it. JOHN A. LOGAN, Brigadier-General, Commanding.
HUMBOLDT, July 19, 1862. General LoGAn:
The information amounts to about this: Colonel Bryant has received word from cotton-buyers and citizens resident that at a place distant about 14 miles from here, in a southwestern direction, and 10 miles from Jackson, in a northwesterly direction, at a place called Poplar Grove or Poplar Corners, is a band of guerrillas 1,600 strong, with three pieces of artillery. He seems strongly impressed that there is a party there, of what number he is not certain. He started one company of cavalry this morning to reconnoiter in that direction. If they arrive before I get a chance to leave I will report.
R. R. TOWNES, Assistant Adjutant- General.