Letter
William S. Rosecrans to Benjamin M. Davis, August 3, 1862
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
August 3, 1862.
August 3, 1862. Brigadier-General DAVIS, Jacinto: The following from Major Smith, at luka,* indicates that it would be well for our troops to start there by crack of day, leaving the train to follow with a suitable guard. Let two days’ rations be cooked; ammunition in cartridge-boxes; wagons with enough to make 100 rounds. Instruct the general to inspect everything ; move with speed and circumspection, keeping his advance guard well out and good flankers on his left; not to let the head of his column enter a defile until the advance guard has gone clean through and formed on the opposite side to cover his passage against a surprise.
W. S. ROSECRANS,
Brigadier-General, U. 8S. Army, Commanding.
Editor's Notes
From: Operations in West Tennessee and Mississippi, Pt. 1. Summary: W. S. Rosecrans orders Brigadier-General Davis to prepare troops for a swift, cautious march from Iuka with provisions, ammunition, and strategic advance guard deployment to avoid surprise attacks.
Topics
Sources
The War of the Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 17, Part 1
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