The National tribune., 1902-03-13

TO Memphis and thence by steamer to
Eicksburg TO Immediately dispatch heavy
reinforcements to Rosecrans at Chatta-
nooga by way of Memphis The Eleventh
and Twelfth Corps, commanded respect
lively by Maj.-Gen. o. o. Howard and
= Maj.-Gen. Fl. W. Slocum, all under the
command of Maj.-Gen. Hooker, were on
Sept. % detached from the Army OF the
Potomac, and ordered to reinforce Gen.
Rosecrans, and to make the journey from
the Potomac River to the Tennessee
River at Bridgeport by railroad.
TWO CORPS FROM THE ARMY OF THE Po-
ToMAC RAILRoADED WEST.
1 here venture to state that the annals
or war, ancient and modern, will be
searched in vain for case parallel with
this; when an army besieged in an en-
emy's country was reinforced by the
movement of 10000 soldiers, with all
their munitions of war, including their
wagons and teams, such immense dis
tances.. Hooker's command by railroad
from the Potomac River by way Of Gin
cinnati, Louisville and Nashville to
Bridgeport, on the Tennessee River, 26
miles from Chattanooga, and Sherman's
command by steamer from Vicksburg to
Memphis and a march of 800 miles from
Memphis to Chattanooga.
The Eleventh and Twelfth Corps made
this great journey in a period of seven
days.
Gen. Sherman's Fifteenth Corps was
encamped on Big Black River some 20
miles east of Vicksburg.
He received orders from Gen. Grant
10 send one division to ROsecrans. The
next morning, Sept. "a, Gen. Osterhaus's
Division broke camp and marched to
Nicksburg TO embark on steamers. On
the 23d, Gen. Sherman was telegraphed to
by Gen. Grant that he wished to see him
in person at headquarters in Vicksburg
Gen. Sherman reported promptly, and the
result Of the interview was that Sher-
man was ordered to move at once with
his entire corps to reinforce Rosecrans.
1t happened after the fall of Vicksburg
that Brig.-Gen. John r. Smiths Division
Of the Seventeenth Corps had been Or
dered to reinforce Gen Steele in his
movement against Little Rock, Ark, and
the division had gone as far as Helena
on its mission, when news came that
Steele had captured Little Rock, making
r it unnecessary for Gen. Smith to pro-
coed on his journey.
Gen. Smith went into camp with his
division, reported the facts TO Gen. Grant
and awaited orders. The orders soon
came. This division being well on its way
toward Memphis, Gen. Grant decided
that Sherman should leave one Of his own
divisions behind, and take John Il.
NMlLh ) IN It's palce; II was designated as
the Third Division, Fifteenth Corps The
transfer became permanent and the diri-
sion formed part of the Fifteenth Corps
from that date to the close of the war.
At this time / had the honor Of COM
manding the Second Brigade of this di-
vision.
Gen. Sherman promptly issued the nee
essary orders for the movement of the
corps: First Division, Gen. z. ]. Oster-
haus; Second Division, Gen. Giles A
Smith; Third Division, Gen John Il.
Smith; Fourth Division, Gen. John NJ.
Corse.
Gen. Tuttle's Division was detached
and left behind for other important duty.
As the troops arrived at Memphis a care
flu inspection was made of the entire out
ut of the corps, and all necessary articles
for its thorough equipment were drawn
from the public stores.
Having been informed OF this move
ment, | rejcined my command at Mem.
phis Oct. /.
Col. Clark r. Viewer, of the 18th Iowa,
was in command of the brigade during my
absence. / found the health and spirits
OF the soldiers splendid, and the general
condition of the brigade excellent.
My staff consisted of the following.
named officers:
First Lieut.. Dake Nicholson, Acting
Assistant Adjutant- General; Capt. w. w
McCammon, Inspecting Officer: Cant.
William Eckley, Picket Officer: Cant.
Samuel Roper, Aid-de-Camp; First Lieut..
Gorgas, Brigade Quartermaster; First