NASHVILLE, TENN., March 15,
1862.
Major-General
HALLECK:
Your dispatch of yesterday received this morning. Undoubtedly we should use the river to get
supplies, but I am decidedly of opinion that my force should strike it by
marching. It can move in less time, in better condition, and with more security
to our operations than by the river. It will have also the advantage of driving
out the scattered force of the enemy this side of the river, and operate
powerfully on the minds of the people. I had designed to commence moving
to-morrow. We will have to repair our road somewhat as we go. It is important
to choose the point of crossing so that it shall be safe, and yet not too far
from the enemy; if, then, we could by a possibility effect it by surprise or at
all at Florence, getting in between Decatur and Corinth, it would have many
advantages. As for the point of attack, wherever that may be we will be pretty
sure to meet the principal force of the enemy, and if we threaten him low down
I am confident the island and New Madrid will be abandoned. I hope I can
certainly see you in regard to those points.
Parson Brownlow has
just arrived from Knoxville. Kirby Smith is there, with eighteen regiments from
Manassas, and has seven more at Cumberland Gap.
D. C. BUELL.
SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of
the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume
10, Part 2 (Serial No. 11), p. 39
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