HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT
OF THE OHIO,
Louisville, Ky.,
February 5, 1862.
Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK,
Commanding Department of
Missouri:
GENERAL: My plan of operations was sketched in the letter
which I wrote you on the — ultimo. You have, I learn from your letter and
dispatches, entered upon what would have concerned it on your side, and that is
a very important part of it. I regret that we could not have consulted upon it
earlier, because my work must at first be slow. Besides, since I wrote you
those plans have been changed, or at least suspended, in consequence of the
diversion of a large part of my efficient force for other objects, which the
General-in-Chief urged as of primary importance, namely, our advance into East
Tennessee. I have, however, in consequence of the want of transportation, and,
more than all, the impassable condition of the roads, urged him to allow me to
resume my original plan, and, if I am not restricted, shall enter upon its
execution at once. My troops have, however, been thrown somewhat out of
position, and it will take some days to get them into place. My progress, too,
must be slow, for we are dependent upon the railroad for supplies, and that we
must repair as we go, the enemy having very much damaged it between Green River
and Bowling Green, 40 miles. That will take ten or twelve days. I must go
provided with a siege train, because the enemy is strongly intrenched with
heavy artillery behind a river, and the condition of the roads will, I fear,
effectually bar any plan of attack which will depend on celerity of movement.
I think it is quite plain that the center of the enemy's
line—that part which you are now moving against— is the decisive point of his
whole front, as it is also the most vulnerable. If it is held, or even the
bridges on the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers destroyed and your force
maintains itself near those points, Bowling Green will speedily fall and
Columbus will soon follow. The work which you have undertaken is therefore of
the very highest importance, without reference to the injurious effects of a
failure. There is not in the whole field of operations a point at which every
man you can raise can be employed with more effect or with the prospect of as
important results.
Very respectfully,
your obedient servant,
D.C. BUELL,
Brigadier-General.
SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of
the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume
7 (Serial No. 7), p. 936-7
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