McClernand's Expedition Page 19

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE,
La Grange, Tenn., November 14, 1862.
Major General WILLIAM T. SHERMAN, Memphis, Tenn.:
After writing to you by Colonel Grierson I received a dispatch
from General Halleck stating that in addition to troops
already ordered to this department some from Ohio and Kentucky
were also ordered, all to be collected at Memphis, from which
place a combined military and naval expedition would move on Vicksburg. This, taken in connection with the mysterious rumors of McClernand's command, left me in doubt as to what I should do. I therefore telegraphed Halleck to know if that
movement was to be made independent of mine here - if I was to
lie still where I am or to penetrate as far south as possible
with the means at hand; he replied that all troops sent into
the department would be under my control - fight the enemy my
own way.*
From information brought in by spies sent from Corinth by
General Rosecrans before he left there, the enemy are
expecting re-enforcements from Bragg's army and also from
Virginia. Have also been re-enforced by Holmes and Hindman.
This latter I do not credit.
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* See Part I, p. 469.
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Page348 WEST TENN. AND NORTHERN MISS.
[Chap.XXIX.
I think it advisable to move on the enemy as soon as you can
leave Memphis with two full divisions of twelve regiments of
infantry each and the proper proportion of other arms. If
troops should come sufficiently rapidly to enable you to bring
three divisions it would be more advisable. The country
through which you would pass would no doubt afford supplies of
forage. I will have provisions here to furnish you on arrival;
also ordnance stores. Not less than 300 rounds per man should
be brought from Memphis, however.
Our reconnaissances have driven the enemy to beyond the
Tallahatchie. Yesterday our cavalry went 6 or 7 miles beyond
Holly Springs, where they met five regiments of rebel cavalry
and infantry and a battery. Colonel Lee, of the Seventh Kansas
Cavalry, one of the best cavalry officers I ever saw, drove
them back, capturing, killing, and wounding a large number. He
has now taken since we have been here some 250 prisoners,
killed perhaps 50, and wounded a large number, with a loss on
his side of only 3 men wounded.
I am ready to move from here any day and only await your
movements. You can inform me by messenger what day you will
start, with what force and by what route, and I will make my
calculations accordingly.
The route you should take will depend upon the force you can
bring with you, the number of days' supplies you can
transport, and whether the enemy is materially re-enforced.
If you can move with three divisions and so as to reach Oxford
with three days' supplies, I would say go there; but I am not
advised whether the new regiments joining you are supplied
with transportation. I presume they are not. I will have here
from 500 to 600 wagons for a supply and ordnance train, and
the road in running order to beyond Holly Springs, probably to
the Tallahatchie.
If you cannot move to Oxford, and I don't expect it, the next
best place would be to move to Tallahatchie, or water some
place 6 miles west or southwest from Holly Springs. I would
then move to Holly Springs, so as to reach there at the same
time. All future plans could be arranged after our arrival at
these position.
I have asked to have three locomotives purchased and sent to
Memphis, with the view of having the Grenada and Memphis road
used.
I have ordered Lauman and will send Hurlbut to report to you
in a few days.
Let me hear from you by special messenger as soon as possible.
Any suggestions you may have to make will be gladly received
and duly considered.
I am exceedingly anxious to do something before the roads get
bad and before the enemy can intrench and re-enforce.
U. S. GRANT,
Major-General.
P. S. - I inclose you summary of the information brought by
General Rosecrans' spies.*