William S. Rosecrans to J. O. Kelton, June 29, 1862
June 29, 1862. Col. J. O. KELTON, , Assistant Adjutant-General, Oorinth, Miss. : The following from General Hamilton, beyond Hatchie, 2 p. m.: Statement of J. H. E. Yowell. J. E. Yowell lives in Lincoln County, Tennessee. Went on business to see his brother, a captain in the One hundred and fifty-fourth Regiment Tennessee Militia, who was wounded at Shiloh. Has been at Holly Springs about ten weeks. Left there at 9 o’clock yesterday morning, 27th; just reached here. There are no troops in Holly Springs now. There are two detachments of cavalry out west from Holly Springs— Jackson’s regiment and Pinson’s six companies—but no infantry or artillery. Heard somo six or eight days since that Breckinridge was coming to Holly Springs, but learned Thursday that he had gone to Vicksburg. No trains running from the south to Holly Springs. Bridge burned over the Tallahatchie by the Federals and destroyed entirely by the rebels. General Smith was in Holly Springs last Tuesday morning (one week) with seven or cight regiments of infantry and one of cavalry, and paroled the sick and wounded. Heard that Price had gone to Vicksburg and Beauregard to Richmond. Is a physician and is on his way home. Voted for secession, but it was peaceable secession, not war. The people at Holly Springs were much vexed when they learned that Breckinridge was not coming there. W. S. ROSECRANS, Brigadier-General, U. 8. A., Commanding. 48 WEST TENN. AND NORTHERN MISS, (CHar XXIX PopE’s HEADQUARTERS, June 29, 1862. Major-General HALLECK: there is no water on the road for 15 miles beyond toward Salem. He can pass that dry space to-morrow, which will bring him within 13 miles of Holly Springs by to-morrow night. He could therefore reach it by Tuesday morning, if need be. With the partial information in my possession I must wait your instructions about the support to this movement, as called for yesterday morning. If anything serious is to be done at Holly Springs Hamilton must receive special instructions from me today, and care will be requisite to insure them supplies for ten days.
W. S. ROSECRANS,