Sept 30 1862.  Reports of the Rebels concentrating their forces continue to arrive.  It is unclear whether they mean to threaten Corinth or Bolivar TN.  I sent the following telegram to Gen. Halleck:

Major-General HALLECK, General-in-Chief:

Price is now at Ripley, Van Dorn at Somerville, and Villepigue at Salem. It looks as if Van Dorne was trying to effect a lodgment on the Mississippi above Memphis. Threatened at all other points, I cannot send out forces to drive him away. If Helena troops could now be sent across the river I think they would meet with no difficultly in getting to Grenada, and perhaps down on to the Yazoo.

U. S. GRANT,

Major-General.

CORINTH, September 30, 1862.

 

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 6, p 95

O.R., I, xvii, part 2, p 243

Sept 29 1862.  I received the following report from Gen. Rosecrans,

I have not reported to the major-general commanding the details of the Pocahontas capture, because full reports are not in yet. All but about 400 of our men have come in; some 75 or 80 horses and about as many carbines. The rebels are reported to have burned the Pocahontas Bridge completely and left some horses on this side. Eight companies of Third Michigan Cavalry are out there now, and we shall have reports in soon. Stanley will be in Rienzi to-day. Our scouts surprised and routed a party of shot-gun cavalry 5 miles from Ruckersville yesterday.

Nothing but general report of Price moving west or south.

W. S. ROSECRANS,

Major-General.

 

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 6, p 95

O.R., I, xvii, part 2, p 242

Sept 28 1862, Wrote Gen. Halleck,

COLUMBUS, KY., September 28, 1862.

Major General H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief;

To make a move on the Yazoo River promise success it will be necessary to have some of the new regiments at Memphis to take the place of Sherman’s division. I will want Sherman’s division and some of my command at Bolivar to move on Grenada, to attract attention in that direction, while Steele moves across below, from a point not yet determined upon, to do the work designed.

Can you send the new troops?

U. S. GRANT,

Major-General.

 

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 6, p 93

O.R., I, xvii, part 2, p 240-41

Sept 27 1862.  I received a telegram from Gen. Rosecrans providing more information on the rebel army threatening Corinth.

From Negroes and deserters report to date of rebels.  His advance guard is at Baldwin.  Price at Tupelo fortifying.  Maury’s division of three brigades have gone to Holly Springs.  Genl. McKean sends report of a scout.  Van Dorn and Villepigue reported at Grand Junction with forty Regts. poorly supplied with artillery and Q-M stores.  Intends making a feint on Bolivar but a real attack on Corinth soon as they want stores.  Price is expected to co-operate.  He says one hundred and fifty rebels and recruits are in Montezuma.  If they have forty Regts. will be eighteen thousand and five hundred 18500 men.  Price has 13000 including Maury’s.

 

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 6, p 92

National Archives, RG 393, Dept. of the Mo., Telegrams Received

Sept 25 1862.  I sent Gen. Halleck a telegram informing him I was leaving for St. Louis.

I do not hear a word from Buell’s army. Price was defeated from going east of the Tennessee, but I understand that Breckinridge has gone by way of Mobile and Chattanooga. The rebels came up to within 8 miles of Bolivar, but finding the place so strongly re-enforced fell back to Davis’ Mill first, and finding our cavalry in such hot pursuit left there for farther south in great haste. I wrote from Jackson the object of my coming to Saint Louis. Will leave in the morning.

U. S. GRANT,

Major-General.

 

After arriving in St. Louis, I received the following telegrams from Gen. Hurlbut,

Major General U. S. GRANT, Corinth, Miss.:

A negro just in from near Grand Junction reports hearing his master say that the enemy have received heavy re-enforcements from Holly Springs and other points in Mississippi, and will move this morning to cut the railroad between Corinth and this place and then attack here. He has evidently heard this. The information is vague as to the proposed point of attack on the road, but the probabilities look toward some point east of Jackson.

There were 300 irregular cavalry in Somerville yesterday.

[S. A. HURLBUT,]

Brigadier-General.
HEADQUARTERS, Bolivar, September 25, 1862.

Major-General GRANT:

A large body of cavalry, estimated by the citizens at 2,000 (probably 1,000), passed to-day by Anderson’s Mill east, inquiring for Simpson’s Ferry, on the Hatchie, half way between Van Buren and here. The force was followed up by my cavalry patrol, who agree that it is a large body of men. I am of the opinion an attack is designed on the railroad, and, if they have taken the direction designated, somewhere in the neighborhood of Bethel or perhaps Purdy. They had four days’ rations.

S. A. HURLBUT,
Brigadier-General.

 

I sent word to Gen. Ord to be prepared to provide Gen. Hurlbut with aid.

Major General E. O. C. ORD:

General Hurlbut telegraphs me that rebels are strongly re-enforced and threaten him. Watch in that direction, and, if necessary, re-enforce him all you can. Communicate with General Rosecrans also.

U. S. GRANT,

Major-General.

 

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 6, p 87-88

O.R., I, xvii, part 2, p 238-39

Sept. 24 1862.  I have been given orders by Gen. Halleck to prepare an expedition destroy some Rebel boats on the Yazoo River.  I am to arrange with Gen. Curtis for cooperation from some troops of Gen. Frederick Steele’s division, particularly cavalry.  I sent this telegram to Gen. Halleck.

Your dispatch of the 23rd is received. The enemy being driven from his position in front of Bolivar by the rapid return of troops drawn from there to re-enforce Captain, and everything now promising quiet in our front for a short time, I shall go to Saint Louis in person to confer with General Curtis.

 

To communicate rapidly with the gunboat fleet and General Sherman at Memphis I would have to visit Columbus, and to go to Saint Louis will keep me away but little, if any, longer from my post than if I should not go. It will also save the possibility of my plan leaking out through the telegraph officers on the route. Another reason for my going is the fact that for several weeks my health has not been good, and although improving for the last few days, I feel that the trip will be of benefit to me. Hoping my course will meet with your approval, &c.,

 

U. S. GRANT,

 

Major-General.

 

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 6, p 84

O.R., I, xvii, part 2, 235

Sept 23 1862.  I received a report from Gen. Hurlbut that Iuka has been reinforced and the enemy have fallen back.

Two loads of Ross’ troops have come; the others will not be in before night. The enemy have unquestionably, from all reports, fallen back to Davis’ Mill, about 10,000 strong. Cavalry are out in pursuit.

I could [not?] move this morning because Ross’ troops did not arrive and the enemy have a day’s start. Do you wish me to move on La Grange and Davis’ Mill with my own division? My stock is out of forage, and I must send this afternoon for a supply into the country.

S. A. HURLBUT,

Brigadier-General.

 

I replied,

You need not move now but keep a watch on those fellows at Davis Mills and if they remain there a few days, we may be able to move out and attack them.  If necessary I can bring a few thousand troops from Corinth sufficient to whip them if they stand or to destroy the Road if they run.

U. S. Grant

Maj Genl

 

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 6, p 81

O.R., I, xvii, part 2, 234

National Archives, RG 393, District of West Tenn., 4th Division, Telegrams Received

Sept 22 1862.  I sent a telegram to Gen. Halleck informing him of the impending attack on Bolivar, TN.

Bolivar is now threatened with an attack from Villepigue, a portion of Breckinridge’s forces, and possibly some other troops. They marched in three column from Davis’ Mill, about 7 miles south of Grand Junction, and will reach to-day, about 8 miles south of Bolivar. They have twenty regiments infantry, 1,000 cavalry, and five batteries artillery. Hurlbut will be so re-enforced to-night as to hold the place if attacked, and to take the initiative if threatened and not attacked. I shall go to Jackson to-morrow, and Bolivar, if necessary.

U. S. GRANT,

Major-General.

 

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 6, p 79-80

O.R., I, xvii, part 2, 233

Sept 21 1862 I received a series of telegrams from Gen. Hurlbut informing me of a rebel attack 10 miles south of Bolivar TN,

General GRANT:

General Lauman is attacked 10 miles below here, as I learn by orderly sent in by Colonel Noble with verbal message. I have five regiments here. Shall I move them from this post? Answer at once.

S. A. HURLBUT.

 

General GRANT:

General Lauman sends me a verbal message by an orderly that the enemy are flanking him on the left, and is rapidity falling back. He is 6 miles below. Shall I move the rest of the division out or wait for him to come in? Stores here are of great value, and I dislike to leave them without guard. Answer at once.

S. A. HURLBUT,

Brigadier-General.

 

I responded,

Do not leave Bolivar without a sufficient force to hold, if you think Lauman in danger.  Send what force you can to his relief.  Let me know any further information you get.

U.S. Grant

Maj Genl.

 

Hurlbut responded later,

General GRANT:

General Lauman’s command has returned all safe. The cavalry and some infantry followed close up as far as Van Buren, where a few well-directed shots scattered them. Further particulars will be sent by mail to-morrow.

S. A. HURLBUT,

Brigadier-General.

 

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 6, p 75

National Archives, RG 393, District of West Tenn. 4th Division, Telegrams Received

O.R., I, xvii, part 2, 231

I send a report of the action at Iuka to Gen. Halleck,

General Rosecrans, with Stanley’s and Hamilton’s divisions and Mizner’s cavalry, attacked Price, south of this village, about two hours before dark yesterday, and had a sharp fight, until night closed in. General Ord was to the north, with a mixed force of about 5,000 men. Had some skirmishing with rebel pickets. This morning the fight was renewed by General Rosecrans, who was nearest the town, but it was found that the enemy had been evacuating during the night, going south. Hamilton and Stanley, with the cavalry, are in full pursuit, and will no doubt break up the enemy badly, and possibly force them to abandon much of their artillery.

Loss on each side is from 400 to 500 killed and wounded. The enemy’s loss in arms, tents, &c., will be large. We have about 250 prisoners.

I cannot speak too highly of the energy and skill displayed by General Rosecrans in this attack and the endurance of the troops under him. General Ord’s command showed untiring zeal, but the direction taken by the enemy prevented them taking the active part they desired.

Among the enemy’s loss are General Little, killed, and General Whitfield, wounded. I have reliable information that it was Price’s intention to move over east of the Tennessee. In this he has been thwarted. Price’s force consisted of about 18,000 men.

U. S. GRANT,

Major-General.

 

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 6, p 71-2

O.R., I, xvii, part 1, 64