August 29, 1862 - Friday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Wood's Division - Wagner's Brigade

The wide dispersal of troops, combined with being unable to get a sense of where Bragg and the Confederate army are going, has caused Buell by the 29th to begin moving north, to Murfreesboro.  Here is a dispatch from Buell to General Halleck on August 29th.

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Decherd, TENN.,  August 29, 1862 -- 2 p. m.

Maj. Gen. H. W, Halleck

   Every day renders it the more evident that we must abandon our extensive lines and concentrate at some point nearer our base of supplies, perhaps Murfreesborough.  Our communications are interrupted almost daily and our detachments captured by superior numbers.  Our communications are not yet opened with Louisville,  and cannot be without putting a larger force on the road than can be spared.  I yield to this conviction with painful reluctance.  I cannot collect at any point this side of Murfreesborough more than 30,000 men, and from that would have to be deducted something for convoys.  It would be worse in advance of this point; and besides, the character of the roads and of the country makes it impossible to subsist ourselves in the mountains.  I am therefore preparing to concentrate at Murfreesborough.  I suppose General Grant's two divisions to have crossed the river, but I can get no information of their movements.  I sent a division to Altamont yesterday.  A flag of truce which went from it found the enemy's cavalry outpost about 11 miles.  His advance guard was supposed to be about 15 miles out.

D. C. BUELL. 

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Orders go out to collect as many divisions as possible at Murfreesboro by September 5th.

In Kentucky, things are very chaotic for the Union forces.  The only troops available are ones freshly arrived from Indiana and Ohio.  The are barely provisioned and are not ready for combat.  General Nelson organized them into brigades and moved them toward the onrushing Confederate army under General Kirby Smith, near Richmond, KY.  Another Union army under General George Morgan is at Cumberland Gap; Kirby Smith has left 9,000 troops in Morgan's front, and has another 12,000 moving toward Richmond.  

In the east, the campaign of Second Bull Run (Second Manassas) has come to a decisive battle.  General Lee and Stonewall Jackson are in combat with a Union army under General Pope.  General McClellan, having been brought north off the Peninsula, is also engaged.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XVI, Chapter XXVIII, Part II, Correspondence,  pp. 417-450.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. pp. 79-80.
  
• Shelby Foote: The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1, Fort Sumter to Perryville, pp. 650-652. 
• Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Vol 3. The Tide Shifts, pp,4-7, 31-41.
• Kenneth Noe, Perryville: This Grand Havoc of Battle, pp. 32-59.

 

NEXT POST: SEPTEMBER 2ND

 

 

August 25, 1862 - Monday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Wood's Division - Wagner's Brigade

General Buell learned of another cavalry defeat at Gallatin, TN on the 22nd, reducing an already thin Union cavalry.  Buell had determined to gather his forces at Altamont, and divisions were ordered on the 23rd, to congregate at Altamont, TN on the 25th.  General Thomas (and Wood's division) could not make Altamont and decided to return to McMinnville.

Bragg by this point had crossed some of his troops over the Tennessee River, but only on the 25th did he issue the orders for Confederate troops to advance.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XVI, Chapter XXVIII, Part II, Correspondence,  pp. 387-424.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. pp. 78-79.
  
• Shelby Foote: The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1, Fort Sumter to Perryville, pp. 561-584. 
• Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Vol 3. The Tide Shifts, pp,4-7, 31-41.
• Kenneth Noe, Perryville: This Grand Havoc of Battle, pp. 32-58.

 

NEXT POST: AUGUST 29TH

August 21, 1862 - Thursday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Wood's Division - Wagner's Brigade

By the 21st, Buell had learned that Bragg had moved his Confederate army north from Chattanooga, but was having trouble locating him and discerning his plans.  By this time any thought of attacking Chattanooga had gone by the wayside.  Buell is looking for a point of concentration and at this time was thinking of the Tracy City and Altamont area.  General Thomas thought McMinnville was the better choice but was overruled.  

In Kentucky, General Nelson, who had been sent there to oppose the advance of General Edmund Kirby Smith, found few available soldiers and almost none who were trained or experienced.  Worse, an army reorganization, intended to relieve Buell of excess responsibilities, had only clouded the command hierarchy, and thus railroad repairs between Louisville and Nashville, as well as the forwarding and provisioning of new regiments, was hampered.  Nelson would not be able to field an effective force against Kirby Smith's veterans.

There was also skirmishing at Cumberland Gap, where Kirby Smith had posted a sizeable force facing the Union army entrenched there.  The Confederate army in Kentucky was behind the Union force at Cumberland Gap, and might cause it to fall back northward if it could not be supplied.

On the 20th, General Thomas sends this dispatch to Wood:

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HDQRS, FIRST DIVISION, DISTRICT OF THE OHIO,

McMinnville,  Tenn, August 20, 1862

General WOOD, near McMinnville:

   You had better send back an escort to Decherd for your train, as I shall be unable to furnish you with one, having been ordered here before your train was ready.  Get ten day's supply of commissary stores, and if in good camp remain where you are.  If your camp is not a good one you can move to where the Manchester and McMinnville road crosses Hickory Creek, where you will find a good camp and be within a few hours' march of this place.  Have the country explored in the direction of Altamont, and report if a strong position can be taken up near that place, and withal be prepared to march within a day's notice.

GEO. H. THOMAS

Major-General, U, S. Volunteers

  

------------------------------------------

 These orders are in line with the proposed concentration near Altamont, TN that is currently being discussed.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XVI, Chapter XXVIII, Part II, Correspondence,  pp. 360-387.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. pp. 78-79.
  
• Shelby Foote: The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1, Fort Sumter to Perryville, pp. 561-577. 
• Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Vol 3. The Tide Shifts, pp,4-7, 31-41.
• Kenneth Noe, Perryville: This Grand Havoc of Battle, pp. 32-58.

 

NEXT POST: AUGUST 25TH

 

August 17, 1862 - Sunday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Wood's Division - Wagner's Brigade

Wagner's Brigade was at Manchester on the 14th, soon to be joined by Wood with his other brigade, after which both brigades were to move to McMinnville, a concentration point for Union forces in Tennessee.

Confederate General Edmund Kirby Smith moved out from Knoxville on the 13th, and by the 16th, Buell had confirmation that he was invading Kentucky.  He would soon arrive at Barbourville,. KY with four divisions, and had gotten behind the Union army that was at Cumberland Gap.  

This concerned Buell greatly, as his focus had been mostly on Tennessee, and Nashville in particular, and still had to protect that from Bragg's army.  Buell sent General Nelson, one of his division commanders, to organize what forces were in Kentucky and oppose Kirby Smith's advance. Calls for more troops were made to Governor Tod of Ohio and Governor Morton of Indiana, who were asked to rush any available new regiments to Kentucky.

--------------------------

• Five settlers were killed in southwest Minnesota by Sioux warriors.  The wave of violence over the following month became known as the Dakota War of 1862.
• The Peninsula Campaign is abandoned as McClellan returns to Northern Virginia.  The campaign under way in northern Virginia will lead to the Second Battle of Bull Run (or Second Manassas).
  

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XVI, Chapter XXVIII, Part II, Correspondence,  pp. 333-360.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 78.
  
• Shelby Foote: The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1, Fort Sumter to Perryville, pp. 561-566. 
• Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Vol 3. The Tide Shifts, pp,4-7, 31-39.
• Kenneth Noe, Perryville: This Grand Havoc of Battle, pp. 32-37, 42-46.

 

NEXT POST: AUGUST 21ST

August 13, 1862 - Wednesday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Wood's Division - Wagner's Brigade

The capture by Morgan's Confederate cavalry of the garrison at Gallatin, TN was another setback for Buell's army.   Morgan destroys several bridges and collapses a tunnel, thus disabling one railroad and making it more difficult to move supplies.

It is known that Confederate troops are in east Tennessee, and Kentucky appears to be their object.  Current rumors are that the entire Confederate force is in east Tennessee, but actually General Bragg still has the larger force at Chattanooga, having transferred two divisions to General Kirby Smith at Knoxville.  Buell, with incomplete information, must protect against several possibilities.

Buell wants to concentrate in some force at McMinnville, TN.  Nelson's division is already there and is near to the best route between Chattanooga and Nashville in anticipation of Bragg moving north.

 On August 12th, Wood's divisions is ordered to McMinnville:

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HEADQUARTERS,

Huntsville,  August 12, 1862

General Thomas, Decherd:

   Order the two brigades of Wood's division at Decherd and Tullahoma to McMinnville, starting to-morrow morning.  They will stop momentarily at points along the railroad to give it security until it is repaired and guarded.  Push Wagner's brigade forward promptly to within 8 miles of McMinnville for that purpose.  He ought perhaps to have a battery with him. 

D. C. BUELL 

  

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Note that General Thomas is giving orders to Wood even though they both command a division - having been combined, Thomas ranks Wood and assumes command as long as they are together.  

 

Wagner's brigade moves at 4 A.M. on the 13th toward McMinnville.  Wood, with the other brigade has to wait a day to repair his wagons, for which he is reprimanded by Buell. General Thomas explains Wood;s situation in another dispatch but Wood also feels the need to reply:

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Decherd,  August 13, 1862

Col. J. B. FRY:

    General Thomas informs me that the commanding general complains that the brigades of my division at this point did not move to-day.  The order to move came near night-fall yesterday, and I could not have moved this brigade this morning without going in the most slip-shod condition.  One of its regiments is absent, having been detached by General Thomas several days since, and I will have to go without it; will be back tomorrow.  I will leave orders for it to follow me promptly.  I reported the miserable condition in which my division train came back.  Materials for the repair of them arrive only to-day, and it was indispensably necessary to put some of the wagons in a condition to transport and preserve ammunition; this is being done to-day.  I trust the commanding general knows that no unnecessary grass grows under my feet when I get an order to march or when I am on the road.  I had Wagner's brigade at Manchester at 10 o'clock this morning.  I move at 4 o'clock in morning.

TH, J. WOOD,

General. 

  

------------------------------------------ 

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XVI, Chapter XXVIII, Part II, Correspondence,  pp. 301-333.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. pp. 77-78.
  
• Shelby Foote: The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1, Fort Sumter to Perryville, pp. 561-566. 
• Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Vol 3. The Tide Shifts, pp,4-7, 31-39.
• Kenneth Noe, Perryville: This Grand Havoc of Battle, pp. 32-37, 42-46.

 

NEXT POST: AUGUST 17TH

 

August 9, 1862 - Saturday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Wood's Division - Wagner's Brigade

The army is still busily deploying forces in an attempt to counter whatever General Bragg decides to do in moving north from Chattanooga.  A key focus is ensuring that Nashville can be protected.  Kentucky is rumored to be facing an attack from Confederate forces under General Kirby Smith, and the Confederate Cavalry raiders Forrest and Morgan have ventured out for new attacks. 

In addition, at Decherd, TN, where the divisions of Wood and Thomas are located, fortifications are being constructed for the protection of a planned depot for ammunition and other supplies.

The army needs laborers and will get them from local slaveholders.  General Wood on the 8th receives the following order:

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HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION, DISTRICT OF THE OHIO,

Decherd, TN,  August 8, 1862

Brig. Gen. T. J. WOOD,

Commanding Sixth Division:

    You are directed by Major-General Thomas to detail from your command suitable parties for the inpressment of negroes to be found in the vicinity of Decherd, for the purpose of working upon the fortifications in and about this place.  In impressing care should be taken to equalize the number in all instances, leaving a sufficient number to do the ordinary business of the farm house.

   Give instructions that each negro bring his blanket and every squad of six his cooking utensils.  Take the name of each negro, giving a proper receipt to the owner for the same, so that they can be returned to them as soon as the work is completed.

Very respectfully, your obedient servand,

[GEO. E. FLYNT].

Assistant Adjutant-General, Chief of Staff.

  

------------------------------------------

The character of the war changed in later years, but at this point the Union and its armies took no action against slavery, at least in this area.  

 

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XVI, Chapter XXVIII, Part II, Correspondence,  pp. 265-301.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 77.
  
• Shelby Foote: The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1, Fort Sumter to Perryville, pp. 561-564. 
• Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Vol 3. The Tide Shifts, pp,4-7.
• Kenneth Noe, Perryville: This Grand Havoc of Battle, pp. 32-33, 42-46.

 

NEXT POST: AUGUST 13TH 

 

 

August 5, 1862 - Tuesday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Wood's Division - Wagner's Brigade

 On August 2nd, Wood receives orders to prepare to support Nelson's division as it moves to McMinnville, TN.  Here is a dispatch from Wood explaining his current situation:

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Decherd,  August 2, 1862.

Col. J. B. Fry:

   Your dispatch explaining that Nelson is moving on McMinnville and that I may have to support him with a brigade is just received.  That the commanding general may understand fully the disposition of the forces of my division it is well to suggest that I have but one brigade, one battery, and two companies of cavalry here.  The Twentieth Brigade was left at Mooresville and a battery.  Two regiments were sent to Wartrace and two companies of cavalry to Shelbyville.  I sent a regiment to Manchester at the earnest request of General Smith, who considered his position dangerous, and a regiment to Duck River Bridge by order of the commanding general.  The orders will be promptly obeyed.

TH. J. WOOD.

  

------------------------------------------ 

 Wagner's is the brigade that Wood has available, but it has been scattered to various points by previous orders as noted above.  Wagner is ordered on the 2nd to march for Tullahoma and to arrive early on the 3rd.

On the 3rd, we are able to locate the 40th Indiana regiment.  It was the regiment that Wood mentions as being sent to Manchester, TN to support the position of General Smith. Orders from August 3rd:

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HEADQUARTERS,

Huntsville,  August 3, 1862

General SMITH, Manchester:

   Send the Fortieth Indiana to join its brigade and division forthwith.  Don't call up any troops to replace those ordered away.  In fact I shall probably take away all but a few companies.  Make a stockade for one or two companies to guard the bridge when repaired, and in addition make temporary entrenchments for one regiment.  Don't lose an hour.

D. C. BUELL.

  

------------------------------------------

Nelson's division now being further east, the front has moved there and units are being sent to support that position.  The 40th Indiana is moving to rejoin Wagner's brigade at Tullahoma.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XVI, Chapter XXVIII, Part II, Correspondence,  pp. 247-265.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 77.
  
• Shelby Foote: The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1, Fort Sumter to Perryville, pp. 561-564. 
• Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Vol 3. The Tide Shifts, pp,4-7.
• Kenneth Noe, Perryville: This Grand Havoc of Battle, pp. 32-33, 42-46.

 

NEXT POST: AUGUST 9TH

August 1, 1862 - Friday - 160 years ago today

 

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Wood's Division - Wagner's Brigade

By August 1st, Buell had confirmation that the main Confederate army in the west was coming to Chattanooga, with the intent to move northward into Tennessee and Kentucky.  On July 31st, General Bragg met in Chattanooga with General Edmund Kirby Smith, the Confederate commander in East Tennessee, to make a plan for the invasion of Tennessee and Kentucky.  General Kirby Smith was encouraged by the success of the Confederate cavalry, and wanted to move into Kentucky soon.   Bragg wanted to move on Nashville first, and then consider Kentucky later.

Regardless, it was clear that the Confederate armies were moving into Tennessee and Buell would have to counteract that by consolidating his army as much as possible in central Tennessee and then countering any movements by Bragg (while also looking toward moving in Chattanooga if possible).

Wood is at Decherd, TN, on August 1st, and is being ordered to hold position but also to be prepared to move on short notice.  Below are dispatches from August 1st; note that troops are still on half rations.  The mentioned brigade of General Schoepf does not belong to Wood's division, but many troops are being consolidated into this general area.

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HEADQUARTERS,

Huntsville,  August 1, 1862

General WOOD, Decherd:

    The enemy have crossed two or three regiments of infantry certainly at Chattanooga and are working on the Anderson road.  Their talk is of Nashville and Kentucky.  Be prepared at any hour to march and fight.  Keep three days rations cooked.  Nelson is moving forward.

D. C. BUELL.

  

------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------   

Decherd,  August 1, 1862.

Col. J. B. Fry:

   Dispatch of to-day received and will be attended to.  General Schoepf arriving with his brigade, but has no subsistence.  Are the troops to be kept on half rations?

TH. J. WOOD.

  

------------------------------------------

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XVI, Chapter XXVIII, Part II, Correspondence,  pp. 224-247.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 77.
  
• Shelby Foote: The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1, Fort Sumter to Perryville, pp. 561-564. 
• Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Vol 3. The Tide Shifts, pp,4-7.
• Kenneth Noe, Perryville: This Grand Havoc of Battle, pp. 42-46.

 

NEXT POST: AUGUST 5TH 

 

 

 

July 28, 1862 - Monday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Wood's Division - Wagner's Brigade

Wagner's Brigade apparently was ordered forward toward the rest of Wood's division on the 25th, but he is receiving more orders as the army seeks to protect vulnerable spots on the railroad from Forrest's Confederate cavalry that is still at large and threatening new attacks.  Below is a series of dispatches between Wood and the army headquarters regarding the disposition of Wagner's brigade.  None discuss individual regiments, so the 40th Indiana's location cannot be discerned precisely.  No further dispatches on the 27th or 28th give word on the status of Wagner's brigade.

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Decherd,  July 27, 1862 -- 11 a.m.

Col. J. B. Fry:

   I am just in receipt of your dispatch of the 26th, saying it will be best not to move Wagner at present. I sent Colonel Wagner the order on the 25th, and I have reason to think he marched yesterday.  I will start a courier to try to intercept him with an order to return to Wartrace, but as there are several roads the order may not reach him.  In case he should arrive here should he be ordered back to Wartrace?  Please answer immediately.

TH. J. WOOD,

Brigadier-General.

  

------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------   

HEADQUARTERS,

Huntsville,  July 27, 1862

GENERAL WOOD,

Winchester, Office at Decherd:

   If Wagner has left Wartrace he must go back there to-night, and you must send a regiment from your immediate command to Duck River by cars to-night.  Forrest has appeared before Manchester, and it is probable he will strike at the railroad to-morrow between Duck River and Murfreesborough.  Wagner must guard the bridges about Wartrace, and every guard must erect defenses and resist to the last.  He must get that line open.  Get cars from General Smith.  Where is Wagner now?  Report.

JAMES B. FRY.

  

------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------   

Decherd,  July 27, 1862

Col. J. B. Fry:

   Your dispatch is received.  Colonel Wagner is at Tullahoma with one regiment, having sent one of his regiments back to Wartrace.  He informs me he remained at Tullahoma at the request of General Smith.  I have sent him an order to return to Wartrace at once, erect defenses, and resist to the last extremity.  I will send a regiment by cars to-night to Duck River Bridge, with the same instructions in regard to the erection of defenses and defending them as given to Colonel Wagner.

TH. J. WOOD,

Brigadier-General.

  

------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------   

TULLAHOMA,  July 27, 1862

Col. J. B. Fry:

   I am just in receipt of a note, dated at 9 this morning, from Colonel Wagner, informing me of his arrival at Tullahoma. I extract as follows from his note:

 

General Smith is fighting at Manchester, reports say, with a large force.  Whether this is so or not I cannot tell, but if so he will need help.  An officer has told me this who has just come from General Smith.

   I have sent the following to Colonel Wagner:

 

Try to learn reliably whether General Smith is engaged with the enemy at Manchester, and whether he needs assistance.  If so, push to him as promptly as possible, but use the greatest precaution, and don't allow yourself to be entrapped on the march by the enemy.  If you can get any reliable intelligence from Manchester, have it sent to me without delay, that I may take means to render assistance there.

   But I have ordered him in case he is not needed at Manchester to return to Wartrace, to await further orders.  I will send all my cavalry in the direction of Hillsborough and Manchester at once, to move rapidly, and if any considerable firing is heard in that direction to send me a report, and I will march at once in that direction with a view of re-enforcing General Smith.

   I sent General Smith a regiment on the 25th, which reached him that night.  In his requisition for a regiment he said one would make everything secure at Manchester.  I also wrote him yesterday requesting him to inform me promptly if he got into any trouble and I would give him all the help in my power.  If he has taken proper precautions he has not been surprised, and if likely to be attacked in force he should have informed me of it.  Moreover, to send to me he would have had to send his train by Tullahoma, where he would have found Colonel Wagner ready to go to his assistance.

TH. J. WOOD,

Brigadier-General.

  

------------------------------------------

Below is a map of the area, Wartrace is near the top, Tullahoma the middle, and Decherd and Winchester near the bottom.

 

Buell is gradually becoming aware that a Confederate army is gathering at Chattanooga.  General McCook is watching the city and reporting bits of information as it is learned.

Buell is also trying to keep the railroad open from Corinth, and is corresponding with General Rosecrans about how to accomplish that.  Rosecrans' forces have replaced the division of General Thomas, who is moving his division to reach Buell.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XVI, Chapter XXVIII, Part II, Correspondence,  pp. 211-224.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 77.
  
• Shelby Foote: The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1, Fort Sumter to Perryville, pp. 561-564. 
• Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Vol 3. The Tide Shifts, pp, 1-4
• Kenneth Noe, Perryville: This Grand Havoc of Battle, pp. 42-46.

 

NEXT POST: AUGUST 1ST

 

 

 

July 24, 1862 - Thursday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Wood's Division 

July 20th to 24th finds the Union armies still bedeviled by Confederate cavalry attacks and unable to keep the railroads operating consistently.  Providing supplies to troops at various points is still difficult.  

None of the dispatches during this time reveal any movements by Wood's division.

Below is a dispatch from General Buell regarding the situation:

-------------------------------------------   

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE OHIO, 

Huntsville, Ala.,(via Nashville, Tenn.) July 22, 1862 

Major-General HALLECK or 

General THOMAS, Adjutant-General:

  The enemy has thrown a large cavalry force, regular and irregular, upon our lines throughout Tennessee and Kentucky.  The embarrassment from this is great. Small guards cannot protect them, and to give large ones would scatter my whole force.  High water also has destroyed our bridges.  From these two causes we have had to repeat our work, and it has been impossible to get either road open to Nashville.

   Nashville is again threatened, and whether really in danger or not its security is a matter of too vital importance to be left in jeopardy, and I must keep force enough there to operate actively in that quarter and toward the east.  But these cavalry raids can only be effectually counteracted by cavalry, of which there should be at least five, or, if possible, eight more regiments in the two States.

   I am compelled to ascribe the greater part of our annoyance from geurilla bands to the spirit of hate and revenge which has been inspired on this quarter by and unwise policy and personal wrongs.  I just learn that the enemy's cavalry in considerable force captured the guards - 80 men - and burned three bridges between Nashville and Murfreesborough yesterday.  It will take eight days to rebuild them.

D. C. BUELL 

------------------------------------------

 Elsewhere, President Lincoln is presenting the Emancipation Proclamation to his cabinet.  Discussion and division over the Proclamation will delay its release for the balance of 1862.

Confederate General Bragg, having permanently relieved General Beauregard, has decided to move an army to Chattanooga and operate from there.  General Bragg will arrive in Chattanooga, along with most of his army, by the end of the month.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XVI, Chapter XXVIII, Part II, Correspondence,  pp. 193-211.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 77.
  
• Shelby Foote: The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1, Fort Sumter to Perryville, pp. 561-564. 
• Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Vol 3. The Tide Shifts, pp, 1-4
• Kenneth Noe, Perryville: This Grand Havoc of Battle, pp. 42-46.
  

 

NEXT POST: JULY 28TH 

 

 

July 20, 1862 - Sunday - 160 years ago today

 Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Wood's Division

On July 17th and 18th, Wood's division is being ordered to Winchester, TN, as part of a redeployment of forces to counter Confederate forces that are coming north from Chattanooga, and also looking for the cavalry of Nathan Bedford Forrest.  Protection of the line from Nashville to just north of Chattanooga (and of the railroad there) is of particular interest to General Buell.

Here is a dispatch from Wood describing the status on the 19th:

-------------------------------------------  

SHELBYVILLE, July 19, 1862 

Col. J. B. FRY:

   Dispatch ordering me to send the battery with me and Jackson's cavalry to Murfreesborough to report to General Nelson is this moment received, as I was about marching to Winchester under the order received last night.  I have ordered the battery to proceed at once to Murfreesborough, and directed Colonel Wagner tp send an infantry force across from Wartrace to Murfreesborough turnpike, to escort the battery and put it under care of other troops and then return to Wartrace.  I cannot send Jackson's cavalry, as it is not with me.  Why it is not is fully explained in two communications.  Colonel Wagner with two regiments, a battery, and part of a battalion of cavalry will remain at Wartrace.  I am left without a single piece of artillery; not in any good condition to meet an enemy who may be provided with it.  The 7 wagons from Huntsville came up late last Monday night, 15th, and the supplies from Reynolds' Station in the afternoon of the 17th.  The latter were in a miserable condition; much lost by wasting.  Barrels and boxes broken, &c.

 TH. J. WOOD,

------------------------------------------

Note that Wagner's brigade is the 21st, of which the 40th Indiana is a part.  So the 40th Indiana regiment is at Wartrace, TN at this point, an may or may not have been part of the escort of the battery noted above.

Wood is approaching Winchester, TN on July 20th and will arrive next day.  Wagner remains at Wartrace, for now.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XVI, Chapter XXVIII, Part II, Correspondence,  pp. 168-193.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. pp. 76-77.
  
• Shelby Foote: The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1, Fort Sumter to Perryville, pp. 561-564. 
• Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Vol 3. The Tide Shifts, pp, 1-4
• Kenneth Noe, Perryville: This Grand Havoc of Battle, pp. 42-46.
  

 

NEXT POST: JULY 24TH

July 16, 1862 - Wednesday - 160 years ago today

 Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Wood's Division

 On the 11th, General Halleck was appointed to be General-in-Chief of all the Union armies, and was ordered to Washington.  He departed for Washington on the 17th.  General Grant was the ranking general remaining in the West, and would take over for General Halleck.

Wood's division was on the move, initially toward Stevenson, AL as ordered on the 12th (see previous blog post).  However, om the 13th, Nathan Bedford Forrest, with his Confederate cavalry. captured the Union garrison of 1400 troops at Murfreesboro, TN, and wrecked part of the railroad between Nashville and Chattanooga,.  This caused a beehive of activity as Union forces were moved quickly in an attempt to confront and capture Forrest and his men.  Part of this effort was to divert Wood's division first to Fayetteville, TN and them further north to Shelbyville, TN on the 16th.  Wood was paused at Shelbyville to await further orders as searches continued.

Forrest,was not found by the Union forces, mainly due to lack of cavalry in Buell's army, as it is difficult for foot soldiers to find cavalry on the move.  Buell's last request to Halleck was to send more cavalry to him as soon as possible. John Hunt Morgan was also executing a raid with his Confederate cavalry in central Kentucky, causing even more trouble for Union armies.

Supplies were still a problem as Confederate cavalry raids destroyed railroad bridges and other transportation. The hot and dry summer had caused the rivers to lower, making water transportation impossible in certain places.  The dispersed armies also created problems for delivery of supplies.

Map centered on Shelbyville, note Murfreesboro about 20 miles to the north, Fayetteville about 20 miles to the south.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XVI, Chapter XXVIII, Part II, Correspondence,  pp. 134-168.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 76.
  
• Shelby Foote: The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1, Fort Sumter to Perryville, pp. 561-562. 
• Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Vol 3. The Tide Shifts, pp, 1-4
• Kenneth Noe, Perryville: This Grand Havoc of Battle, pp. 42-46.
  

 

NEXT POST: JULY 20TH

 

July 12, 1862 - Saturday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Wood's Division

On the 9th, Wood's division is proceeding to Woodville, AL as previously ordered:

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DECATUR, July 9, 1862 

Col. J. B. FRY:

Despatches per special messenger received this morning.  Ordered headquarters and two battalions cavalry to march as soon as practicable to Woodville.  No other practicable route than by Huntsville. Left orders to report their departure immediately to you.  Have a regiment of infantry on the other side.  It marched down the railway.  Battery is coming down by wagon roads.  I have given Captain Wade such instructions as will in my opinion, if vigorously carried out, repulse a light attack or enable him to pass to the north side of the river readily if attacked in force.

 TH. J. WOOD,

Brigadier-General.

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The next day, Wood is writing to headquarters regarding food supplies for the division:

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HDQRS. SIXTH DIVISION, ARMY OF THE OHIO, 

Mooresville, Ala., July 10, 1862 

Col. J. B. FRY:

Assistant Adjutant-General, Chief of Staff:

SIR: I telegraphed you to-day to have a train sent down to move some of the corn which my command has collected here.  It is with extreme difficulty I can get enough subsistence from Athens to meet the current wants of my division.  In fact it is impossible to get a full supply of the constituent parts of the rations.  In the essential article of salt the supply has been altogether below the allowance for more than a month.  As a consequence ti has been impracticable to issue as much fresh beef to the troops as would have been judicious.  My commissary has no salt on hand and has not been able to draw any for several days.  I beg the commanding general will have these matters corrected.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

 TH. J. WOOD,

Brigadier-General Volunteers, Commanding.

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Wood is moving his command from Mooresville, AL (southwest of Huntsville), to Woodville, AL, (southeast of Huntsville), On the 12th two of his three brigades were ordered further on to Stevenson, AL, northeast of Woodville and about 30 miles from Chattanooga which is still the destination of the army.

Below is a map of the area with Stevenson, AL, noted.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XVI, Chapter XXVIII, Part II, Correspondence,  pp. 110-133.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 75-76.
  
• Shelby Foote: The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1, Fort Sumter to Perryville, pp. 558-561.
  

 

NEXT POST: JULY 16TH

July 8, 1862 - Tuesday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Wood's Division

By the 8th, Wood had troops at Decatur, AL, and had been ordered to move his cavalry and headquarters to Woodville, AL. east of Huntsville.  

As mentioned earlier, the slowness of the advance into central and eastern Tennessee had raised concerns.  Buell received the following dispatch from Halleck, and he stated later that his astonishment kept him from responding for three full days, until prompted to respond by Halleck:

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CORINTH, June 20, 1862 

Major-General Buell, Huntsville:

  It seems that the enemy at Tupelo and Okolona are moving, but what is to be their point of attack is doubtful.  General Grant thinks it is Memphis, others Corinth or Tuscumbia, and others again your lines at Chattanooga.  A few days more may reduce these doubts to a certainty, when our troops will operate accordingly.

  The President telegraphs that your progress is not satisfactory and that you should move more rapidly. The long time taken by you to reach Chattanooga will enable the enemy to anticipate you by concentrating a large force to meet you.

  I communicate his views, hoping that your movements hereafter may be so rapid as to remove all cause of complaint, whether will founded or not.

H. W. HALLECK,

Major-General.

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More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XVI, Chapter XXVIII, Part II, Correspondence,  pp. 95-110.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 75.
  
• Shelby Foote: The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1, Fort Sumter to Perryville, pp. 558-560.
  

 

NEXT POST: JULY 12TH

 

July 4, 1862 - Friday - 160 years ago today

 Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Wood's Division

The days of July 1st to 4th were mainly spent on the problems that had been chronic for the past few weeks; obtaining forage for the army's animals and food for the troops without the needed railroad engines to pull large quantities, rebuilding the railroads in central Tennessee. and protecting the troops from snipers and the repaired railroads from Confederate cavalry raids.  

The weather was hot and there was also a drought in the spring and summer.  The Tennessee River  having fallen, it was not possible for boats to supply the army this far up the river.  The army had recently been on half rations and this was only recently coming to an end.  With these problems, advances toward Chattanooga or Knoxville were moving slowly if at all.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XVI, Chapter XXVIII, Part II, Correspondence,  pp. 81-95.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 74-75.
  
• Shelby Foote: The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1, Fort Sumter to Perryville, pp. 558-560.
  

 

NEXT POST: JULY 8TH

 

June 30, 1862 - Monday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Wood's Division

 None of the army dispatches reveal the location of Wood's division at this time.  General Buell is mainly concerned with supplying the troops; supplies are available but are in the wrong places, and though the railroads have been repaired, no working engines are available for the trains.  Wagon trains are being used to keep supplies up, but the railroad is needed for advance into Eastern Tennessee.

In the east, the Peninsula Campaign has suffered setbacks during what is later known as the Seven Days Battles, and McClellan is forced to retreat.  President Lincoln calls for 25,000 infantry from the western armies; General Halleck is able to deflect this request until the eastern army is able to stabilize its position.

Buell's army is not succeeding in the goal of moving swiftly toward capturing Chattanooga and east Tennessee.  Although there are many reasons for the slow movement, the lack of progress is being noticed higher up.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XVI, Chapter XXVIII, Part II, Correspondence,  pp. 67-81.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 74.
  
• Shelby Foote: The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1, Fort Sumter to Perryville, pp. 558-560.
  

 

NEXT POST: JULY 4TH 

 

June 26, 1862 - Thursday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Wood's Division

The situation is still unsettled as the rebuilding of roads and railroads continues along with an attempt to get the entire army over the Tennessee River and into middle Tennessee as soon as possible.  Wood is tasked to have one of his divisions continue the repairs, while his other two divisions cross the river and await the third division on the north side.  

There is a chain of events that are needed; Thomas's division must come east and relieve one of Wood's brigades.  Thomas has until now been serving as the reserve for Grant's army near Memphis, where an attack is still expected.

Here are Wood's orders for the 24th:

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HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE OHIO,

Florence, June 24, 1862

Birgadier-General Wood,

Commanding Sixth Division:

 General Buell directs me to say that in accordance with instructions sent you to-day your leading brigade will continue on with the Engineer Regiment, making the repairs to Decatur, leaving the guards as designated.  Your second brigade will march to-morrow and go through to Decatur.  These two brigades will cross the river as soon as practicable after their arrival at Decatur, and await your third brigade on the north side or orders to proceed.  Your third brigade will march for Decatur as soon as General Thomas' headquarters and troops reach Tuscumbia.  It is thought General Thomas will get here on Saturday.  He has already been ordered to relieve at once your guards west of this point.  They will therefore march with your rear brigade.  The guards east of Tuscumbia will be releived by General Thomas and sent forward to Decatur.

I an, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JAMES B. FRY,

Colonel and Chief of Staff.

------------------------------------------

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XVI, Chapter XXVIII, Part II, Correspondence,  pp. 53-67.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 74.
  
• Shelby Foote: The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1, Fort Sumter to Perryville, pp. 558-560.
  

 

NEXT POST: JUNE 30TH 

June 22, 1862 - Sunday - 160 years ago today

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:

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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

 

June 18, 1862 - Wednesday - 160 years ago today

 Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Wood's Division

 General Wood's division during this time (June 15th to 18th) is mostly at Tuscumbia, AL and is involved in provisioning, repairing roads and railroads, and setting up a temporary hospital at Tuscumbia. 

General Buell is concerned with getting as many divisions as possible, as fast as possible, into central Tennessee, and mentions on the 16th his desire to replace Wood's division by the 20th, so it can proceed to Decatur and cross to the north side the river.  The same day, Buell also notes that part of Wood's division is working on a bridge at Town Creek, 15 miles beyond (east of) Tuscumbia.

Wood is also involved in a wagon train swap; his own wagons were sent to Florence for use north of the Tennessee River, and another wagon train would deliver supplies for his division until he called the replacement wagon train forward for his division's use.

Wood is also ordered to set up a temporary hospital at Tuscumbia to treat sick and injured soldiers that will be moved from Iuka, MS.  

Here is a map of the area.  Tuscumbia is at the left, Town Creek at the right.  Florence, AL is across the river from Tuscumbia/Muscle Shoals.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XVI, Chapter XXVIII, Part II, Correspondence,  pp. 24-39.
• 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. 541-544.
  

 

NEXT POST: JUNE 22ND

June 14, 1862 - Saturday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Wood's Division

Wood as of now has 3 brigades in his division.  In addition to the 20th and 21st Brigades, the 15th Brigade is now included.  The 40th Indiana remains in the 21st Brigade.

The various orders recently received by General Wood are causing some uncertainty over the next movements.  Below is a dispatch from Wood and the response from Army headquarters.  Wood will move toward Decatur and continue rebuilding roads and railroads as needed.

-------------------------------------------

June 11, 1862

Major-General Buell:

Following received from Bear Creek to Colonel Kelton:

My instructions from the commanding general of the Army of the Ohio direct me to move toward Decatur on being relieved here by General Nelson, leaving a brigade at Tuscumbia.  General Nelson informs me that he is ordered to send a brigade to Tuscumbia.  Is it intended that I should go to Decatur? Whence will I draw supplies after I advance beyond Tuscumbia?

I would be glad to have explicit instructions and information, and apply directly to the headquarters of the department in the absence, as I am informed, of the commanding general of the Ohio from Corinth.  I propose to draw my forces together to-day, they being necessarily somewhat divided to protect the working parties, and move early tomorrow.  My instructions contemplate that I will repair the railroad beyond Tuscumbia.  To do this I must have a portion of the Engineer Regiment.  Will the necessary orders be given?  In my resume last evening of General Hascall's dispatch I omitted to mention he reports the railroad bridge at Tuscumbia destroyed.  Please answer early.

TH, J. WOOD

Brigadier-General. 

J. C. KELTON.

Assistant Adjutant-General

------------------------------------------

 HEADQUARTERS, June 11, 1862

 GENERAL WOOD, Bear Creek:

Your dispatch to Colonel Kelton has been forwarded here.  Your orders are to proceed with your division to Decatur, repairing the railroad as you go and drawing your supplies from Florence via Tuscumbia.  If you hear of a force of the enemy in your vicinity you are to move upon and drive it off unless it proves to be too large to attack.  The entire regiment of the Third Ohio Cavalry is ordered to your division.   General Smith is directed to send some of the Engineers and Mechanics along to aid in all the repairs and to see to it himself. 

General Buell directs me to say that you must in future apply to these headquarters for instructions or explanation of instructions and make your reports in the same manner.

JAMES B. FRY

Colonel and Chief of Staff

------------------------------------------

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XVI, Chapter XXVIII, Part II, Correspondence,  pp. 3-23.
• 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. 541-544.
  

 

NEXT POST: JUNE 18TH