Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Major-General Henry W. Halleck to Major-General Ulysses S. Grant, March 16, 1862

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSISSIPPI,      
Saint Louis, March 16, 1862.
General GRANT, Fort Henry,


As the enemy is evidently in strong force, my instructions not to advance so as to bring on an engagement must be strictly obeyed. General Smith must hold his position without exposing himself by detachments until we can strongly re-enforce him. General Buell is moving in his direction, and I hope in a few days to send 10,000 or 15,000 more from Missouri. We must strike no blow until we are strong enough to admit no doubt of the result. If you deem Fort Heiman best for defense, occupy it instead of Fort Henry. You must decide upon all details from your better local information. What captured field pieces have you?


H. W. HALLECK,    
Major-General.

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. 41

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