Letter

Unknown to William S. Rosecrans, November 27, 1862

Washington, November 27, 1862.

Major-General ROSECRANS, Nashville, Tenn. :

The General-in-Chief authorizes you to order from Cincinnati such a pontoon train as you require. .Canvas boats are not to be depended upon, and iron, without special workmen, are not easily repaired. I would, therefore, recommend wooden bateaux for such a length of bridge as you require. One of General Wright’s engineer officers can superintend the construction. A large wooden pontoon train was taken by General Buell from Corinth, and used by him in crossing the Tennessee. What has become of it?

Brigadier-General, Ohief of Staff.

Wak DEPARTMENT, Washington, November 27, 1862. Major-General ROSECRANS, Nashville, Tenn.:

I have approved your requisition on the Engineer Department for more carts, drays, &c., but I must warn you against this piling up of impediments. Take a lesson from the enemy. Move light, and supply yourself as much as possible with provisions, animals, forage, transportation, &c., in the country you pass through. If you remain long at Nashville you will disappoint the wishes of the Government.

H. W. HALLECK General-in-Ohief.

NASHVILLE, TENN., November 27, 1862—4.40 p. m. Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLEOK, General-in-Ohief:

The carts are for engineer work about Nashville. The delay is for the opening of railroads, and getting down ammunition and necessaries. Our advance will be wholly unlike the enemy’s. Our entire force of cavalry – not half what is necessary for the defense of a permanent work. Every forage and provision train has to be guarded against rebel cavalry, which

is numerous. W. S. ROSECRANS, Major-General.

RUSSELLVILLE, November 27, 1862. J. P. GARESOHE, Assistant Adjutant-General and Ohief of Staff : _I have reliable scout from Cumberland River. He reports 3,000 guertillas, with six pieces of artillery, at Charlotte, Tenn. Their object is to

invade Southern Kentucky and drive out hogs, beef-cattle, and procure other supplies, as they did last winter. I have not force enough to cope with them, but will do my best. It would be well to keep an eye on

these rascals. 8. D. BRUCE, Colonel, Commanding.

LOUISVILLE, November 27, 1862. General ROSECRANS : Colonel Hall telegraphs the following from Munfordville: M from Gooseh rt M t Pace’s this ing, 4,000 stro: Simi Peed aniy-toree sway to iCAve City PR : z pH ve te J. T. BOYLE,

Editor's Notes
From: Operations in Kentucky, Middle and East Tennessee, N. Alabama, S.W. Virginia, Pt. 1. Location: Washington. Summary: General-in-Chief Halleck authorizes Rosecrans to procure wooden pontoons for bridge construction, advises against heavy supply accumulation, and urges swift movement using local resources during the 1862 Tennessee campaign.
Sources
The War of the Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 20, Part 1 View original source ↗