Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1864-02-19

LETTERS FROM THE 72D owl.

Is MEMPHIS, TENN, Feb. A, 1864.
"Fhings is moving" hereabouts. Great chang
es are being made in the military situation, and
new combinations wrought. Corinth has been
evacuated, also the Memphis and Charleston
Railroad. The 18th army corps has gone to-I
don't know where; down the river some where.
Gen. Sherman was recently here and set matters
in motion generally. A large cavalry force is
in this vicinity from Middle Tennessee, and in
conjunction with the cavalry previously here,
will soon start on an important expedition.
Brig. Gen. r. 2. Buckland has been placed
in command of the District and Port of Mem
phis, rice Brig. Gen. j. G. Veatch, who has
gone into the field as commander of division
of the 10Th corps. Col. w. L. McMillen, of the
95th Ohio, succeeds to the command of Buck
lands old brigade which now forms part of the
force of this district The brigade is now at
this place.
Concentration is the order now. All unim-
portant lines and posts viii be abandoned, and
every available man brought into active service
against the enemy. Hence the abandonment
of the N. d. C. Railroad, which has never been
of any use TO us, but, rather, expensive, and
which required several thousand men to guard
it. In my opinion the true policy to be pur-
sued should be to seek and destroy the enemy's
forces; to destroy their supplies and commune
cations; to concentrate, in short every available
soldier for offensive warfare. No doubt much
of our strength has been wasted in guarding
worthless points and scattering troops along
lines that were useless to us.
Gen. Sherman will be at the head of cOnsid-
cradle force and will be heard from soon. He
will probably make grand raid somewhere in
to rebeldom. Gen. S. is not the man to remain
idle. Itwould be vastly better for the country
if more of its Generals were as active and vigil
ant. Gen. Sherman is ready, eager TO devote
bis whole time and all his energies To the serv-
ice of his country. He does as he is ordered
does all uncomplaningly, and executes with
skill equalled by very few.
Permit me a word for Gen. Halleck. The
senseless vituperant abuse of Gen. II. has, APP
parently, led the people to believe him qcom-
petent and unfit for his position. ] firmly be-
live that when the history of this war is written
Gen. Halleck viii stand justified, his acts ap-
proved himselfentitled to the highest honors
He is the right man in the right place. Gen.
Grant owes his great success mainly to his i'm
plicit obedience to the orders of Gen. Halleck
Disaster is certain to follow when appeal is
made from him to the Secretary or President
The latter relies upon Hallack, and if he will
continue to do so will do the nation great serv-
ice.
The I'D is all right. 1t is now stronger than
at any time within the past year. Health is
excellent and times as good as could be wished.
The regiment marched in from Germantown
on Friday last, and is now stopping on the Fair
Ground, about one and half miles from the
city. Was paid Saturday last. The veterans
received the old bounty of 800, back pay, and
the first installment of new bounty $50 and one
months advance pay, making a total of about
5000 per man.
lst Lieut. Grin o. England has been detached
and assigned to Sd brigade, 1st division, 10th
army corps, as Acting Assistant Inspector Cen
eral, and has gone down the river.
Capt. Snyder made the regiment a brief call
last Saturday. He is now on detached duty,
forwarding recruits to regiments
I'd Lieut.. j. Mack LENNON company B, has
been promoted to Captain of company |, but
will remain in command of company B.
Ist Liuet- NJ. T. Williamson has also been
commissioned Captain but has not yet been
mustered in.
The lst brigade is under orders TO be ready
to move at a moments notice. But "when it is
going no mortal can tell.
SEVENTY-SI |