Oct 30 1862.  I have been receiving reports from Gen. Davies at Columbus KY of Rebel guerrillas attacking our supply lines with help from sympathizers in the area.  I sent him the following telegram:

JACKSON, TENN., October 30, 1862.

General DAVIES, Columbus, Ky.:

 

Where you can suppress guerrillas with the force at your command, do it. This one back of Hale’s Landing should be broken up as soon as you can send the troops. Where citizens give aid and comfort to these fellows who amuse themselves by firing into them, arrest them.

 

U. S. GRANT,

Major-General.

 

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 6, p 225

O.R., I, xvii, part 2, p 309

Oct 29 1862.  I have passed the reports of a threatening Rebel attack along to Gen. Halleck.

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

 

Everything now indicates an early attack on Bolivar or Corinth. The rebels have been largely re-enforced, and are moving precisely as they did before the last attack. Price is at Ripley, while a force is in front of Bolivar, with cavalry thrown out in large force toward Somerville. I will be ready to do all that is possible with the means at hand. Re-enforcements not arrived.

 

U. S. GRANT,

Major-General.

I also informed Gen. McPherson, at Bolivar TN, to be ready for an attack on Bolivar or Corinth.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE,
Jackson, Tenn., October 29, 1862.

Major-General MCPHERSON, Bolivar, Tenn.:

Hamilton has just learned the following from one of [Confederate  Col. Philip] Roddey’s men now a prisoner:

 

Roddey is ordered to Kentucky; will cross the river at Muscle Shoals en route to Bragg. Roddey moved from Big Springs on Friday. Joe Johnston is reported at Columbus with large force, and is intending to co-operate with Price, moving to the west of Corinth. No supplies and very little force at Tupelo. Price’s movements already commenced.

ELI WHITEHURST.

 

If it is demonstrated that Bolivar is the point of attack, Hamilton is instructed to move by way of Bethel with three divisions to your support. Should Corinth be attacked, be in readiness to move by same route with all the force that can be spared. I will send ten regiments from the line of railroad to the point of attack.

 

U. S. GRANT,

Major-General.

 

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 6, p 210,212

O.R., I, xvii, part 2, 302-3, 306-7

Oct 28 1862.  I received a report of Rebel troop movements from Gen. Hamilton.

CORINTH, October 28, 1862.

Major-General GRANT:

 

Cavalry scouts in to Chewalla to-night report troops have left Holly Springs, going south; also confirmed by one of Price’s escort, who left Holly Springs on Sunday.

 

C. S. HAMILTON,

Brigadier-General.

I passed this report along to Gen. McPherson in Bolivar and asked him to find out more.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE,
Jackson, October 28, 1862.

 

General MCPHERSON, Bolivar, Tenn.:

Hamilton’s scouts, also one of Price’s escort, report troops moving south. This would look as if Mobile was threatened. If you can find out anything from the front do it.

 

U. S. GRANT,

Major-General.

He replied,

BOLIVAR, October 28, 1862.

Major-General GRANT:

 

A man by the name of Robinson, who lives near Grand Junction and left there last night, reports to me that infantry were moving south from Holly Springs, though there was a large force of cavalry about Davis’ Mill. I have scouts out, and will, I hope, know shortly whether this is the case. I sent Colonel Johnson, with two companies of cavalry, one regiment of infantry, and a section of artillery, yesterday afternoon in the direction of Somerville to make a thorough reconnaissance. He has not returned; will probably be in to-night or to-morrow. My patrols on the Grand Junction road have returned, after going 3 miles south of Van Buren, and report everything quiet and no enemy to be seen or heard from.

 

JAS. B. MCPHERSON,

Major-General.

 

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 6, p 206

O.R., I, xvii, part 2, p 301

Oct 26 1862.  I wrote Gen. Halleck asking him to clarify his plans for this district and proposing a plan for moving on Vicksburg.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE,
Jackson, Tenn., October 26, 1862.

General H. W. HALLECK, Washington, D. C.:

 

You never have suggested to me any plan of operation in this department, and as I do not know anything of those of commanders to my right or left I have none therefore that is not independent of all other forces than those under my immediate command.

 

As situated now, with no more troops, I can do nothing but defend my positions, and do not feel at liberty to abandon any of them without first consulting you. I would suggest, however, the destruction of the railroads to all points of the compass from Corinth, by the removal of the rails to this place or Columbus, and the opening of the road from Humboldt to Memphis. The Corinth forces I would move to Grand Junction, and add to them the Bolivar forces except a small garrison there. With small re-enforcements at Memphis I think I would be able to move down the Mississippi Central road and cause the evacuation of Vicksburg and to be able to capture or destroy all the boats in the Yazoo River. I am ready, however, to do with all my might whatever you may direct, without criticism.

 

U. S. Grant

Major-General

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 6, p 199-200

O.R., I, xvii, part 2, p 296-7

Oct 25 1862.  I received a telegram from Gen. McPherson in Bolivar TN, informing me of a possible Rebel movement in his direction.

BOLIVAR, October 25, 1862.

Major-General GRANT:

 

Major Hayes has just returned from a scout to Middleburg and reports the cavalry in that vicinity were a couple of companies of cottonburners.

 

He also reports the significant fact that the railroad bridge at Davis’ Mill has been repaired, and that a very large force of Price’s army was 4 miles below Grand Junction last night. No further news could be obtained of them to-day. It looks very much as though Price was making a movement this way. All the appearances and information I can get here indicate it.

 

JAS. B. McPHERSON,

Major-General.

 

I replied to him,

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE,
Jackson, Tenn., October 25, 1862.

Major-General McPHERSON, Bolivar, Tenn.:

 

GENERAL: Your dispatch received. I have dispatched Hamilton to hold his troops in readiness, with three days’ provisions in haversacks, to be ready either for a move or for defense of Corinth.

 

Hold yours in the same way. The move of Price may be to cover the balance of the army in a move on Corinth. Should either place be attacked ten regiments can be spared from the line of the railroad to reenforce you with.

 

U. S. GRANT.

 

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 6, p 191

O.R., I, xvii, part 2, p 293-4

Oct 24 1862.  I wrote Gen. Ord, who is recovering from a severe wound received at Corinth, to tell him of Gen. Rosecrans’ promotion.

Gen. Rosecrans is ordered to Cincinnati to receive orders.  I suspect he is going to take Buell’s place.  Have had no intimation of the fact, but Buell’s failure to come up with Bragg, whether his fault or not, will raise such a storm that he will probably have to give way. … It is a great annoyance to gain rank and command enough to attract public attention.  I have found it so and would now really prefer some little command where public attention would not be attracted towards me.

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 6, p 184

The Collector, LXXVII, 7-9

Gen. Rosecrans is apparently going to receive a promotion for his victory at Corinth.  I passed along a telegram from Gen. Halleck to him.

Head Quarters Dept. of West Tenn.

Jackson Tenn Oct. 23d 1862

Maj. Genl. Rosecrans,

 

The following dispatch is just this moment received.

 

Major-General GRANT, Jackson, Tenn.:

You will direct Major-General Rosecrans to immediately repair to Cincinnati, where he will receive orders.

H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief.

 

Turn your command to Hamilton.  I will send Quimby to take his division.  Can you get in your report of the “Battle of Corinth” before starting?  I would like to have it if possible.

 

I predict an important command where in the course of events we may cooperate.

 

U.S. Grant

Maj. Genl.

 

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 6, p 182

National Archives, RG 393, Army of the Mississippi, Telegrams Received

Oct 23 1862.  I have passed on the reports of the Rebels concentrating their forces at Holly Springs to Gen. Halleck,

JACKSON, TENN., October 23, 1862-10 a. m.

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

 

It is now certain that the rebels have been largely re-enforced at Holly Springs and are strongly fortifying. Pemberton in command. Tilghman in command of exchanged prisoners. They are re-enforced by conscripts, Alabama and Texas troops. Is it not probable that Bragg will come this way?

 

U. S. GRANT,

Major-General.

 

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 6, p 178-9

O.R., I, xvii, part 2, p 290

Oct 22 1862.  I have received several reports that the Rebels are massing troops in Holly Springs, MS, preparing for another attack on us, possibly at Corinth again.  I received the following telegram from Gen. Rosecrans,

Some of our Scouts from the far front say report & surmises Prevail that forces from Alabama, conscripts etc., and from Vicksburg are concentrating at Holly Springs intending to make another push at our lines — they say Corinth but do not think so — eight hundred (800) Troops reported remaining at Vicksburg, rest gone to reinforce Price.  They are fortifying Holly Springs.

 

I also received a telegram with similar information from Gen. Sherman,

HEADQUARTERS,
Memphis, Tenn., October 22, 1862.

General GRANT:

 

DEAR GENERAL: A merchant of undoubted character is just in from Holly Springs, which he left yesterday at 10 a. m. He brought many letters from the various officers to Saint Louis and California, some of which were examined. Price is there with all the Missourians, many of whom are known to us personally. Van Dorn and Lovell are ordered to Richmond. No other divisions or brigades have joined them since the battle of Corinth, but they claim that they have received 10,000 men from various quarters. Blythe has about 700 cavalry on the Hernando road and line of Coldwater. Jackson has 4,500 cavalry at my old camp on Coldwateer, near Holly Springs. The infantry is camped all about the town, and all seem to be in high spirits. Pemberton is now in command.

 

On balancing all accounts received I don’t think they can attack, but will await attack. They may occupy Davis’ Mill; but if you advance, La Grange is the point. The aggregate force at Holly Springs I should judge to be about 23,000 all told. Cavalry now in good order; infantry only so so; clothing poor and scarce of blankets and shoes; plenty of corn-meal and beef; all else scarce. The letters claim that Bragg whipped Buell, taking 17,000 prisoners.

 

No firing on our boats since the Gladiator, and I think we should not hesitate to make the country feel the full effects of all such attempts. I am just going to review two of my brigades, which are in fine order.

 

Yours, truly,

W. T. SHERMAN,

Major-General, Commanding.

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 6, p 179

O.R., I, xvii, part 2, p 288-9

National Archives, RG 393, Army of the Miss., Telegrams Sent

Oct 21 1862.  I sent the following telegram to Gen. Rosecrans,

Genl, are you in receipt of or have you any rifles for cavalry on the way for use of troops at Corinth.   If so, how many?  I remember hearing you say something on the subject and want to know so as to know how to distribute when they arrive.

He replied,

The ass’t sec’y of War in reply to an urgent Telegraph for cavalry arms which I sent to Mr. Stanton sends a list (27 00) to be sent to Col. Dickey, Chief of Cavalry, for various detachments of Cavalry of your command, but not one for the four (4) Regts which have been fighting on your front.

I appeal to you for justice towards these men.  They if any should have arms.

Two thousand (2 000) pistols and fifteen hundred (1500) carbines are required to arm them properly.

 

I replied,

Your remarkable telegram is just recd.  If the troops commanded by you are not a part of my command, what troops are?

The Eastern Dist. is the same to me and I have no partiality for any portion of it, over any other portion.  That Col. Dickey is the Senior Cav. officer in the whole district or department, as I understand by telegraph he now is, and as such I sent him to Washington to see if he could by his personal presence what I had failed to do by correspondence.  All the arms obtained by Col. Dickey will be distributed over my command where most needed.  Genl, I am afraid from many of your dispatches that you regard your command giving privileges held by others commanding geographical divisions.  This is a mistake.

The Papers of Ulysses S Grant, Vol 6, p 163-4

National Archives, RG 393, Army of the Miss., Telegrams Received