The National tribune., 1906-07-12

| commenced the projected movement in.
| to Middle Tennessee, now partly ir
process of execution; that is, Lees Corps
already in advance of Florence ant
Stewards and Cheatham's Corps under
orders to cross the river.
MY purpose was to call again youl
attention as l did yesterday:
list To the necessity of guarding
| we'll your left flank and rear. in ad.
vancing towards Lawrenceburg and Pu-
laski, against a sudden offensive move.
ment Of the enemy from Huntsville OF
Athens, across the Elk River.
"3d. To securing against the passage
of the enemy's gunboats another point
| (about Savannah or Clifton) besides
Florence for the army to recross the
Tennessee in the event of disaster.
I'D. To giving still greater protection
to COrinth and the M. & o. r. r. to
that point.
II was aware that these points had
| already been discussed between US, but
my anxiety for the safety of the troops
under your command made 1t incum-
bent on me to call again your attention
to these important matters.
II wish also to inform you that the
third point mentioned may require
greater time than was at first supposed
necessary. All orders for completing
the defenses Of Corinth. repairing and
prosecuting vigorously the work on the
NJ. & c. r. r. to this place. and for re-
pairing the NJ. & o. r. r. from Okolona
to Bethel have been given, and are
being carried out as rapidly as the linn
tied means of the Engineer and Quar-
termaster's Departments will permit. 1t
is at present reported that the railroads
referred to will be completed in from
15 to 20 days, but 1t is not unreasonable
to suppose that the prevailing unfavor-
able weather will delay the work one or
two weeks longer.
Gen. Taylor and myself will always
be anxious to aid you in your present
campaign with all the means at our
control; but these being limited, ample
previous notice of what may be re-
qnired should be given to enable US to
make all necessary preparations.
ut will also give me pleasure to con-
Ter on you such powers as you may
deem necessary to secure your COM
munications, repair roads and hasten
supplies to your army whilst operating
in the department Of Gen. Taylor.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
&c. T. Beauregard, General"
Supplies Delayed.
About the time all necessary prepara-
tions verged to a completion, and 1 an
ticipated to move forward once more,
hedSy IdiHS dSdiu Qtidytu our supplies,
as will be shown by the subjoined COM
munication from Col. Brent:
Headquarters Military Division Of the
West, Tuscumbia, Ala Nov. IT, 1864.
General: Gen. Beauregard instructs
me to say that a bridge about three
miles from Tuscumbia on road to
Cherokee is now being constructed. and
that, for want OF workmen, 1t cannot
be completed in less than five or six
days. and at this point the road is al
most impossible. There are also other
points on the road which will become
impossible should the rain continue.
He thinks II important that proper
force should be sent to complete the
improvements as EARLY as possible.
Respectfully. your obedient servant,
George w. Brent, Colonel and A.
A. c."
In compliance with this request
parties were at once detailed.
and sent to different points on the rail-
road: wagons were also dispatched to
aid in the transportation of supplies
The officer I'm charge was instructed to