Unknown to William S. Rosecrans, October 1, 1862
Washington, October 1, 1862.
Major-General ROSECRANS, Corinth:
GENERAL: Your unofficial letter of the 26th ultimo is just received. It would have given me the greatest pleasure if your commission could have been dated back, but the War Department has decided that only in case of reappointments can commissions be dated back of the adjournment of Congress. Whether this is right or wrong I cannot say, but so it is. As soon as I arrived here I tried to get you appointed, but found that there were objections. These I finally succeeded in removing.
I know you are ranked by many of less capacity, and by some who have never rendered any services at all; but this cannot now be helped. I hope, however, that we may not be cursed with the appointment of any more political generals.
We must all do the best we can for the country in our several positions. You have my entire confidence, and if it be possible I will give you a separate command. At present it is difficult to determine what will be done.
Yours, truly. H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief.
CoRINTH, October 1, 1862. General GRANT: The following just received from Stanley: RIENz1, September 30. Spaulding just returned. Hé went to Hatchie. No rebels, and is satisfied from good information that there are none 3 miles beyond. Three prisoners of Fourth Alabama, Breckinridge’s command, caught. Breckinridge has gone to Kentucky with three Kentucky regiments. His division is commanded by General Rust. Price, Villepigue, and Rust are all together and camped on the Pocahontas road. Villepigue and Rust brought up 15,000 men. Reported rebel force 40,000. Prisoners don’t know where they are going. W. S. ROSECRANS, Major-General.
CoRINTH, October 1, 1862. Major-General GRANT: Rebel cavalry have made their appearance at Young’s bridge ana upper and lower, from 2 to 5 miles from Chewalla. The bridges were
burned by our troops last night. Your body guard—Ford’s cavalry— are reported to have run in the most disgraceful manner. Have ordered McKean to send a brigade to sustain the Chewalla command and feel
the enemy if he comes in sight. W. S. ROSECRANS, Major-General.
CoRINTH, October 1, 1862. General GRANT:
Report from Chewalla, 4 p. m., infantry and cavalry force of rebels appeared south of Tuscumbia, at Young’s Bridge. If they advance on Bethel, Stanley, from position near Kossuth, can cut off their retreat ; or if he should be wanted with me, Hurlbut can do the same.
W. S. ROSECRANS, Major-General.
CoRINTH, October 1, 1862. General GRANT:
Du Bois withdrawn from Rienzi to Danville. Cavalry regiment camped at Ruckersville, between Clear Creek and Jacinto. No news from Lee’s reconnaissance supported by two regiments of infantry. Stanley not yet reported himself in position. Hamilton’s division concentrated, and Davies and McKean on Chewalla road, except Crocker, who is near here. How far are the rebels advancing? Demonstration on Chewalla amounted to nothing,