Sunday, August 10, 2014

General Pierre G. T. Beauregard to General John Bell Hood, November 17, 1864

HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE WEST,
Tuscumbia, Ala., November 17, 1864.
General J. B. HOOD,
Commanding Army of Tennessee, &c.:

GENERAL: General Beauregard directs me to say that he desires you will take the offensive at the earliest practicable moment and deal the enemy rapid and vigorous blows, striking him while thus dispersed, and by this means distract Sherman's advance into Georgia. To relieve you from any embarrassment whilst operating in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, he authorizes you to issue all such orders in General Taylor's department as you may deem necessary to secure the efficient and successful administration and operation of your army, sending General Taylor, or whoever may be in command, copies of all orders. He wishes you to send forthwith to Major-General Wheeler one brigade of cavalry of Jackson's division, and the balance of that division as soon as it can be spared, should Sherman advance into Georgia, and also to advise General Wheeler that in such case Clanton's brigade is subject to his orders. The headquarters of this military division will be removed in the morning from this place to Montgomery, Ala.

1 am, general, respectfully, your obedient servant,
 GEORGE WM. BRENT,
 Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-General.

SOURCES: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 45, Part 1 (Serial No. 93), p. 1215; John Bell Hood, Advance and Retreat, p. 277

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