Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Wood's Division
A major concern at this time is the provisioning of all the troops and forage for all the animals in Buell's army. This is why Wood had all his own wagons diverted to north of the Tennessee River, and was forced to rely on a wagon train further west, at Iuka, MS. Wood's wagons were employed on a new route from north of Pulaski, TN to Athens, AL to bring needed supplies to Buell's divisions at Athens and Huntsville, AL.
There were numerous reports of a large Confederate force of about 10,000 troops coming north to attack in the vicinity of Iuka, MS. Here Wood is asked to have cavalry units at certain points that might be vulnerable:
-------------------------------------------
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE OHIO,
Camp near Florence, June 20, 1862
Birgadier-General Wood,
Commanding Sixth Division:
General Buell directs that you send out and keep at Frankfort and Russellville a party of mounted men (one company at each) to observe the movements reported upon to-day by Major Paramore. The companies on duty should be instructed to send you prompt information of everything that transpires. The general does not deem it best at present to order in the regiments of your division now to the eastward.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant.
JAMES B. FRY,
Colonel and Chief of Staff.
------------------------------------------
Wood is likely still rebuilding roads and bridges and is held up from advancing to Tuscumbia and crossing the Tennessee River. Another division, that of General George Thomas, is returned to Buell's army and is being deployed. Here on the 22nd is Buell's description of the situation on the 22nd:
-------------------------------------------
HEADQUARTERS , June 22, 1862
General HALLECK,
For several days reports have come to me of the advance of a large force, say at least 10,000 men, toward this line at different points. General Nelson sent such a report this morning. They have been so positive and frequent that I have deemed it proper not to expose Wood's division alone scattered along the road. In fact our means of crossing the river have not enabled up to advance beyond this point until now.
I could move two divisions tomorrow morning east from the other side of the river, and I shall do so at once if, as I hope, the reports in this quarter turn out less serious than at present. I hope Mitchel's situation is not as serious as his dispatch, which I sent you, would indicate, but I am fully impressed with the importance of getting a large force over there as soon as possible. Wood's position is far more exposed than Iuka, and I am anxious that his work shall not be interrupted. I will post Thomas to the best advantage and advise you.
D. C. BUELL,.
------------------------------------------
Later in the day General Nelson determined that there was only a small Confederate force making a raid, and was not cause for concern.
More Information:
- Link: War Operations, see Volume XVI, Chapter XXVIII, Part II, Correspondence, pp. 38-53.
- The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 73.
- Shelby Foote: The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1, Fort Sumter to Perryville, pp. 558-560.
NEXT POST: JUNE 26TH
No comments:
Post a Comment