The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Series 1, Volume 10, In Two Parts. Part 2, Correspondence, etc. Page: 308
752 p. ; 24 cm.View a full description of this book.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
KY., TENN., N. MISS., N. ALA., AND SW. VA. [CHAP. XX8.
talion, under Lieutenant-Colonel Stovall, about 400 strong, this whole
command is composed of twelve-months' volunteers. I find it in a
state of great disorganization, detachments acting separately and inde-
pendently, and with little or no military restraint.
As soon as I can communicate with and receive reports from these
several commands I will report in full for your information.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. KIRBY SMITH,
Major- General, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF EAST TENNESSEE,
Knoxville, March 10, 1862.
The PRESIDENT, Richmond, Va.:
Mr. PRESIDENT: You requested me to write to you freely and
frankly; I therefore feel less hesitancy in trespassing upon your time
and in troubling you with my wants and necessities.
I arrived on the morning of the 8th, having been detained by obstruc-
tions on the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad. I find the force in East
Tennessee in great disorganization. All accounts given me were far
short of the truth. There has been no one in command since Critten-
den crossed the Cumberland Mountains. Leadbetter, from his instruc-
tions, regarded himself as only intrusted with the defense of the rail-
road. Regiments and detachments were everywhere acting independ-
ently, and without military restraints of any kind. I shall bring every
energy to bear in reducing order out of chaos, but must beg you to
hasten the appointment of a brigadier-general who can give me effectual
aid. I should have included Lewis A. Armistead in the list recom-
mended for your consideration. If Colonel Barton is not promoted, may
he not be assigned to duty on my staff ; from his account he seems not
to be especially occupied, and he could render here important service
as inspector-general.
The troops now in East Tennessee number less than 8,000 effective
men; 4,000 are at Cumberland Gap, under Colonel Rains, commanding
a Tennessee regiment from Nashville; 2,000 are at this place; the re-
mainder are scattered through the district, guarding bridges, pork es-
tablishments, &c. With the exception of the Twentieth and Twenty-
third Alabama Regiments, together numbering some 900 effective men,
and a Georgia battalion, under Lieutenant-Colonel Stovall, about 400
strong, the whole force is composed of twelve months' volunteers,
whose terms of service soon commence expiring.
Of the four regiments from General Bragg's command, two-the Fifth
Georgia and Ninth Mississippi-will be mustered out of service early
in April and May. The effective strength of the Ninth Mississippi is
under 400. Of the six regiments coming from Virginia, one-the First
Georgia-was turned back at Lynchburg, and mustered out by expira-
tion of service; one-Colonel Bate's Tennessee-is organizing at Hunts-
ville, by orders from General Johnston, where he will probably retain it.
Vaughn's and Maney's regiments are here; the two remaining ones have
not arrived.
The troops from Virginia and General Bragg's command will in early
summer be reduced to a very small force; and at that time we may
look for a movement to be made by the enemy on East Tennessee.
I am not writing, Mr. President, in a spirit of fault-finding; neither308
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This book can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Matching Search Results
View 39 pages within this book that match your search.Related Items
Other items on this site that are directly related to the current book.
The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Additions and Corrections to Series 1, Volume 10. (Pamphlet)
Errata sheets for the Records of the War of the Rebellion include additions and corrections to the text and the index for Series 1, Volume 10.
Relationship to this item: (Is Referenced By)
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Book.
United States. War Department. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Series 1, Volume 10, In Two Parts. Part 2, Correspondence, etc., book, 1884; Washington D.C.. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth154614/m1/308/?q=Arkansas: accessed April 30, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.