Unknown to Ulysses S. Grant, July 29, 1862

July 29, 1862.

July 29, 1862. General GRANT:

GENERAL: I send accompanying telegrams from Colonel Sheridan, giving information of the movements of rebels and his operations yesterday.

Two divisions left from below for Chattanooga. Cheatham’s left last Friday and Saturday. Withers’ was to leave Sunday or Monday.

The 600 cavalry escaped from Ripley, retreating toward Salem. The Seventh Kansas pursued them, and have not yet returned; probably foraging.

roalwill note Sheridan says there are at least 10,000 men at Saltillo. You will also observe that the division of Withers was leaving Saltillo.

W. S. ROSECRANS, Brigadier-General, U. 8. Army, Commanding.

Hpe@Rs. SECOND BRIGADE, CAVALRY DIVISION, July 29, 1862. General GRANGER:

I have reliable information from Okolona Saturday, Tupelo Sunday, and Saltillo yesterday. The enemy have been and still are moving in large numbers to Chattanooga, via Mobile and Montgomery, concentrating at Ronie, Ga. A large number of troops are at Saltillo, not less than 10,000. The transportation of the troops moving to Rome is going across the country from a point near Okolona. A large train of 200 wagons started across on Saturday. The Second Michigan drove in the enemy’s pickets toward Saltillo yesterday, until they could hear the enemy’s drums beating. Hicks returned from Tupelo yesterday. I have sent for him this morning and may get additional information.

P. H. SHERIDAN, Colonel, Commanding Second Brigade.

Hp@Rgs. SECOND BRIGADE, CAVALRY DIVISION, July 29, 1862. General GRANGER:

GENERAL: Our cavalry captured Ripley yesterday morning.* Colouel Hatch has just returned, bringing back Judge Thompson and two Confederate soldiers. Our party failed to secure 600 rebel soldiers encamped there, they having made their escape toward Salem. The enemy had decamped just one hour before the arrival of Colonel Lee, who was delayed by bad road and darkness. Colonel Lee has not yet returned. He may bring in some of them. All the male inhabitants of Ripley had fled; the stores and houses all closed. I am sorry to say the soldiers of both regiments were, through carelessness of their officers, permitted to break into and pillage some of the stores and private places. The whole country out here is very much alarmed and

stampeded. P. H. SHERIDAN, Colonel, Second Brigade.

ROSECRANS’, July 29, 1862. General GRANT: From perusal of a large number of letters written by members of the Twenty-sixth Alabama and a few others from Richmond, captured by Sheridan, it is clear that there is very considerable movement of troops from Saltillo and vicinage via railroad to Chattanooga; two or three of them say thence to Huntsville, and all speak of a movement in Northern Alabama—of expelling the Yankees from Northern Alabama. One says a considerable force will be left at Saltillo, supposed to be enough to meet the emergency. Two days’ cooked rations and the railroad via Mobile is in [sic]. Nearly all of them to leave to-morrow morning. Two or three talk of going from Chattanooga to Huntsville. Unfortunately they are all of the Twenty-sixth Alabama, but the impression is abroad among them that with Bragg on the east and Price in the center, as they say, the Yankees will be made to skedaddle. W. 8S. ROSECRANS.

@uar. XXIX.) CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.— UNION.

JAOKSON, July 29, 1862. General MoCLERNAND, Bolivar : Have you ordered the men I had at Toone’s Station to Medon? If not, I hope you will doit. I have sent one company to Medon to-day. JOHN A. LOGAN, Brigadier-General.

BOLIVAR, July 29, 1862. Brigadier-General LOGAN, Jackson:

I sent 100 men this morning to Medon. There should be at least 150 men to guard there and half way to Toone’s. General Ross will guard the other half and from Toone’s. You will relieve the men sent by me to-morrow by sending about 70 more men, which, with what are there now, will be 150.

JOHN A. McOLERNAND, Major-General.

BOLIvAR, July 29, 1862. Brig. Gen. JOHN A. LOGAN, Jackson:

I ordered you to send a company to Medon and you did not do it. You had more than two regiments at Jackson. You had four companies besides which had been ordered here, and are mistaken in saying they were all delayed as camp guards. The bridges north and south of Jackson within a few miles were destroyed. You have not been azked to re-enforce anybody from your present force. I sent a force to repair the wire and bridge at Medon. ‘The wires are repaired and the bridge nearly. What was your telegram of yesterday but a gratuitous

complaint? But enough. JOHN A. MoCLERNAND, Major-General.

JACKSON, July 29, 1862. General MoCLERNAND:

I have at all times obeyed orders. The bridge at Medon was not destroyed for want of force at Medon. There were enough to protect it. I understand you ordered to leave 100 men at Toone’s Station, and not at Medon; this I ordered Colonel Rhoads todo. I am not mistaken about the camp guards, two companies, you speak of, or provost guard, detached. I had no orders to relieve them. It is true the bridges have been destroyed, and certainly they are not the first ones that have been destroyed; in this case if I am to blame I can bear my part as well as any man. I did not say that I was asked to re-enforce from my present command, but spoke of re-enforcing the points guarded on railroads. I know the wires have been repaired, and I shall repair bridges and will try to do it without much delay. I have no complaints to make of any

kind, but will do my duty. JOHN A. LOGAN.

BOLIVAR, July 29, 1862. General LOGAN, Jackson : I found to my surprise that you had not sent an additional company to Medon. The wire was cut in that vicinity. I sent this morning to repair. If you had apprehended an attack on bridge north of Jackson

you should nave guarded against it. You had not ordered or asked guard for that position before or during the leaving of the troops.

I was ordered to leave but one regiment and left four companies besides. You kept two companies of the Eighteenth and Twenty-ninth, and a regiment was in reach at Bethel. I am satisfied there is no formidable force near you. Report the condition of things.

JOHN A. McCLERNAND, Major- General.

JACKSON, July 29, 1862. [General MCCLERNAND :]

I cannot say that you should be surprised at my not sending a company to Medon. I did not know of any danger there. When two regiments were going by land to Bolivar the bridge was attacked and burnt. I sent force there. How could I guard against an attack north without anybody to leave here? I had but two small regiments left. The Eleventh got in last night; the rest were guarding the road.

Can I guard all the roads and property here with such a force as is left me, and at the same time re-enforce any of the points when I can have no notice of the attack? The companies that were left from the regiments you spoke of were left as camp guard for their regimental property.

If they don’t want their property guarded they can send and take them away. I am doing everything in my power, and if complaints arise from that I am willing to meet the responsibility.

I shall send a force as soon as I can get a train to repair the bridge at Medon, which has been burned. I don’t suppose there is any great force near here, and if there is I shall not ask for help until I see the necessity for it.

JOHN A. LOGAN, Brigadier-General.

BOLIVAR, July 29, 1862. General LOGAN, Jackson :

The officer at Medon reports otherwise. I ordered the Kighteenth and Twenty-ninth here. You kept four of these companies. I repeat that 1 have a detail at Medon repairing the bridge or road. If you prefer it I would rather General Ross would guard at Toone’s and for you to re-enforce at Medon.

JOHN A. McCLERNAND, Major-General.

BOLIVAR, TENN., July 29, 1862. General LoGANn, Jackson : : ite: Mea,

The company sent by you had not reached Medon at 2 o’clock p. m. The two companies of the Eighth dropped at Toone’s day before yesterday at my instance and the detail from Eighteenth previously sent by you ought to go with these regiments and Colonel Lawler, unless there is an overruling reason to the contrary.

JOHN A. McCLERNAND, Major-General.

JACKSON, July 29, 1862. General MCCLERNAND, Bolivar:

Troops were started to Medon about 6 o’clock. I could not get a car sooner. You can dispose of the troops at Toone’s Station as you see proper.

JOHN A. LOGAN, Brigadier-General.

JAOKSON, July 29, 1862. General MOCLERNAND :

I have just heard from Major Stewart; he is moving to Brownsville. Shall I send Colonel Hogg there to meet him? He reports Jackson’s cavalry all crossing the Hatchie at different points. Has taken two prisoners. Reports an advance upon Bolivar.

JOHN A. LOGAN, Brigadier-General.

BOLIvAR, July 29, 1862. General LOGAN, Jackson :

Let Colonel Hogg proceed carefully in direction of Medon, thence, if possible, toward Denmark, and inquire for and co-operate with Major Wallace. Colonel Lawler’s brigade, except details, will march toward Estanaula so soon as I hear from Tuttle.

JOHN A. McCLERNAND, Major-General.

DENMARK, TENN., July 29, 1862. General LOGAN:

Iam camped here for the night. There is evidently a considerable rebel force in the neighborhood.

If we have a fight to-night I will burn the town to make light. In the morning I will push on toward Brownsville. I am satisfied that Stewart is cutoff. Iwill keep you advised, however, if the result should be different.

We are all wide awake and ready for any emergency.

HARVEY HOGG, Lieutenant-Colonel, Oommanding.

P. S.—A force of 150 Mississippi cavalry passed through here toward Brownsville at 2 o’clock p.m. This force was not the same that fought Stewart.

BOLivak, July 29, 1862. Maj. Gen. U. S GRANT: Major Stewart has had a hard fight with rebel cavalry. Has takena number of prisoners and reports that he is pursuing his advantage. JOHN A. MoCLERNAND, Major-General.

JAOKSON, July 29, 1862. General McOLERNAND, Bolivar :

Colonel Hogg is here with cavalry. Where shall I order him? JOHN A. LOGAN, Brigadier-General.

BO.LivaR, July 29, 1862. General LoGaN, Jackson :

Let Colonel Hogg join Major Wallace and Stewart by the most direc route and move from Brownsville toward Toone’s Station, so as to be in supporting distance of this place if the enemy should be approaching, which I now doubt. JOHN A. McOLERNAND, Major-General, Commanding.

CORINTH, Miss., July 30, 1862. (Received 8 p. m.) Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLEOK, Commander-in-Ohief :

General information obtained by Colonel Sheridan, who has been far to the front and right for several days, shows that Bragg has made headquarters at Rome. Most of the troops from Saltillo and Tupelo have gone to Chattanooga by rail. Wagons move across the country to Rome. Cheatham and Withers have gone west. Price is in command in Mississippi; headquarters at Holly Springs, with force at Grand Junction. Had I not better move Ord’s entire command to Bolivar, one division of Rosecrans’ to Corinth, and drive the force in front south? They cannot number to exceed 10,000.

U. 8. GRANT, Major-General.

JAOKSON, TENN., July 30, 1862—2 a. m. Colonel Hoge, Commanding Detachment :

Major Stewart has just arrived. He was attacked close to Denmark this evening by Jackson’s cavalry, some 300 or 400 strong, and defeated. His loss is considerable in killed, wounded, and prisoners. He thinks the force is still close there.

It is impossible for any of his men to move to your support in their present condition. He is of the opinion that you had better move in direction of ferry or crossing in direction of Medon, where you can have support of infantry. I have two companies at Medon.

I hope you will move cautiously in whatever direction you go, as a defeat of your force would now insure an attack upon the road at different points. If you think proper you can move so as to watch the crossings of Hatchie, not too far, from where you can give information of a superior force. In fact you can judge best of matters yourself, as you can see the face of the country and can judge of the enemy. I am of opinion that the enemy will have support from nearly all of the citizens in that country. Send my orderlies back and let me know in what direction you move.

JOHN A. LOGAN, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

TRENTON, TENN., July 30, 1862. General LOGAN, Jackson : Can you inform me at what place they crossed the Hatchie and in what force? Have you heard to-day from my cavalry ? G. M. DODGE, Brigadier-General.

JACKSON, July 80, 1862. General DopGE, Trenton : They crossed at Estanaula, 600 or 700 strong. Have heard from your cavalry to-day. They are going in the direction of Estanaula, supported

by my cavalry. JOHN A. LOGAN, Brigadier- General.

HUMBOLDT, TENN., July 30, 1862. General LOGAN, Jackson: Where are Hogg and Brackett ? BRYANT, Colonel, Commanding.

JACKSON, July 30, 1862. Colonel BRYANT, Humboldé: Moving iu the direction of Estanaula, supported by my cavalry. JOHN A. LOGAN, Brigadier-General.

HUMBOLDT, July 30, 1862. General LOGAN, Jackson : Are Jackson’s forces between Brackett’s forces, and where, or by the

river ? GEORGE E. BRYANT.

JACKSON, July 30, 1862. G. E. Bryant, Humboldt: I cannot tell you. It will be necessary to keep a sharp lookout. JOHN A. LOGAN,

BOLIVAR, TENN., July 30, 1862.

Brig. Gen. JoHN A. LOGAN, Jackson: It was Pinson’s Mississippi cavalry that Major Stewart engaged yesterday evening. Slemons’ Arkansas cavalry were south of Hatchie and Brownsville yesterday morning. Cotton Jackson’s cavalry retired from Estanaula, Tenn., Sunday, immediately after the fight at mouth of Clover Creek, and on Monday were returning toward La Grange. This is what is credibly

reported. ; JOHN A. McCLERNAND, Major-General, Commanding.

JACKSON, July 30, 1862. General MCCLERNAND, Bolivar : I have the following information, which I give you. It is contained in a note from p

The most of Jackson’s cavalry were at Whiteville on last Saturday, 4 miles the other side of Estanaula, and are all this side of the river now, and are directed to cut off communication between here and Columbus and attack points that are weak.

This information I think is reliable.

JOHN A. LOGAN, Brigadier – General.

BOLivAk, July 30, 1862.

General LOGAN, Jackson:

Your dispatch concerning Whiteville this minute received. I had a force there late yesterday evening.

Two regiments rebel cavalry are reported to have fallen back in from direction of Estanaula by Whiteville.

I do not think there is much of any rebel infantry east of the Hatchie nor a large cavalry force. This is, however, given as an opinion, but

not as a fact. JOHN A. McCLERNAND, Major-General.

JACKSON, July 30, 1862. General MOCLERNAND:

I have sent every cavalryman that is able to ride, under Colonel MeCullough, to support Colonel Hogg. Major Stewart is not able to go. The enemy are in force, I am pretty well satisfied, and I am re-enforcing on the railroad between here and Humboldt, or shall do so as soon as I can get cars. Iam satisfied Jackson will make a dash somewhere on the road unless Colonel Hogg can hold him in check.

JOHN A. LOGAN, Brigadier-General.

BOLIVAR, July 30, 1862. General LOGAN, Jackson :

You are right in supporting Colonel Hogg as much as possible. I wish Major Stewart, as my chief of cavalry, to accompany the cavalry. You ought to support by an infantry demonstration toward Denmark, if the enemy are still in that direction.

BOLIVAR, July 30, 1862.

General LOGAN, Jackson: You, being on the ground, must determine whether you will re-enforce

your guards by railroad or marching on foot. I would adopt the most

expeditious way of doing it. Act boldly, but carefully. You say the

enemy are in force; cavalry or infantry, or both?

JACKSON, TENN., July 30, 1862. General MCCLERNAND, Bolivar:

By the enemy being in force I mean cavalry force, though I understand that footmen were engaged against Major Stewart. I think it was citizens collected to support rebel cavalry.

JOHN A. LOGAN, Brigadier-General.