The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1865-02-22


General S. Coones',
Adjntant ond MSpec.o'GenerH
| Sir: have the honor to make the following re-
port of the operations OF the Army OF Tennessee
while it under my command. Want the re-
ports of the lieutenant generals, for which have
waited until now prevents me from being circum-
stantial.
In obedience to the orders of the President. re-
ceived by telegraph at Clinton Mississippi, Deem
Der 49, 1863, assumed command of the Army Of
Tennessee at Dalton on the eth of that month.
Letters from the President and Secretary Of War,
dated respectively 231 and goth of December, i'm
pressed upon me the importance OF soon commence
ing active operations against the enemy. The rela-
tive forces, including the moral effect OF the affair
OF Missionary ridge, condition OF the artillery
horses, ard most Of those of the cavalry, and want
OF field transportation, made it lmpracticable to
effect the wishes of the En-, cutlve.
On the 3lst of December, the effective total OF
| the infantry and artillery of the army, including
two biigades belonging to the Department of Mis-
sissippi, was thrty-six thousand eight hundred and
tWcEty-SX the effective total Of the cavalry, IN
GLIDING Roddy's command at Tuscumbia, was five
| thousand six hundred and thirteen. The Federal
| force in our front, exclusive of cavalry and the
Ninth and Twenty-thrd corps, at Knoxville, was
estimated at eighty thousand.
The winter was mainly employed in improving
| the discipline and equipment OF the army and
byi .gng back abSentecs to the ranks. AT the end
of April more than five thousand had rejoned their
regiments.
The horses of the cavalry ana artillery had been
paign. AS full supplies of forage could not be fur
nstied them at Dalton, it was necessary to send
about half Of each of these of service far to
the rear Where the country could furnish food On
that account Dri2ader General Roidy ordered,
with about three-fourths of his troops, from Ius
cumbia and Dalton, and arrived at the end of Fe
bruary. On the ID Of April, however, he was sent
back to his former position by the Secretary of War
On the 18th and 10Th Of January, Baldwin's and
QIarles's bTigades returned to the Department Of
Mississippi and East Louisiana, to which they be-
| Irnuy HHnd
| to the army two regiments OF State troops, which
were used to guard the railroad bridges bet ween
Dalton and Atlanta.
| On the 18th of February the President ordered
| me, by telegraph, to detach Northumberland
! Hardee with the infantry of his corps, & except
| Stevenson's DIVISION" to aid Iieutenant-Gen
Polk against Sherman, in Mississippi. This order
was obeyed promptly as our means OF Transporter
| ton permitted.
| The force detached was probably exaggerated to
Major-General Thomas; for on the 23d the Federal
army advanced to Rinsgold, on the 2ith drove in
our outpos:s, and on the 25ih skilmished at Mill
Greek gap and III Crow valley, east of Rocky Face
mountain. We were successful at both places. AT
the latter, Claytons brigade, after sharp action OF
half an hour delicate double its number. Alright
| it was reported that United States brigade was
occupyin Dug gap, from which it had driven our
| troops. Granbury' Texan brigade, returning from
| Mississippi, had Just arrived. 1t ordered to
| march to the foot Of the mountain Immediately and
| to retake the gap al sunrise next morning, which
was done. In the night Of the Goth the enemy re-
| tired.
On the 9th of February, suggested to the Execu-
tive by letter, through General Bragg, that all pre-
| paratiOns for forward movement should be made
without further delay. In A letter, dated 4th of
March, General Bragg desired me to have all things
| ready at the earliest practicable moment for the
movement indicated. In replying, on the 18th, 1
| reminded him that the regulations Of the War
Department do not leave such preparations to COM
manders of troops, but to officers who receive their
ord,r f. ON Richmond" On til 18th, letter was
! received from General Bragg sketching q plan of
offensive operations and cnunerating the troops to
be used in them under NO. ] wasinvited to express
my views on the subject In doing so, both by
uged that the additional troops named should be
sent immediately, to enable u.s. should the enemy
advance to beat him and then move forward or,
should he not advance, do so ourselves. General
Bragg replied by telegraph on the 2lst: Your dis
patch of 10th does not indicate acceptance OF plan
proposed. Troops can only be drawn from other
points for advance. Upon your decision of that
point further action must depend" replied by
telegraph on the 22d IS In my dispatch Of 10th
expressly accept taking the offensive only differ
with you to details. assume that the enemy
will be prepared for advance before we will, and
will make it to our advantage therefore propose.
both for offensive and defensive to assemble our
troops here immediately" This was not noticed.
Therefore, ON the 25th, again urged the necessity
OF reinforcing the Army Of Tennessee, because the
enemy collecting larger force than that of the
last ca,npai3u, while ours was less than it had
been then.
On the Sd April, Lieutenant Colonel A. H. Colo
arrived at D,!ton, to direct the procuring of ar;-
lery horses and field transportation, to euablo the
army TO advance.
On the 18th, under orders 80 of 1854, applied to
the chief Of the conscrpt service Tor one thousand
negro tca,nstors. None were received.
On the sth Of April, Colonel b. g. Ewcll Assist