The National tribune., 1906-07-05
WASHINGTON THURSDAY

After two days deliberation, Gen. Beau
regard authorized me- on the evening
of the 21st of October. to proceed tol
the execution of my plan of operations
into Tennessee.
At this point, it may be considered.
closed the campaign to the Alabama
line.
Gen. Beauregard's approval of a for
ward movement into Tennessee was
soon made known to the army. The
prospect of again entering that State
created great enthusiasm, and from the
different encampments arose at inter-
walls that genuine Confederate shout so
familiar to every Southern soldier. and
which then betokened an improved
state of feeling among the troops.
With 20 days rations in the haver-
sacks and wagons, we marched. on the
I'D of October. upon all the roads lead
ing from GadSden in the direction of
Guntersville, on the Tennessee River.
and bvouacked that night in the vicini-
ty of Bennetsville.
here received information that Gen.
Forrest was near Jackson, Tenn. and
could not reach the middle portion of
this State, as the river was too high.
1t would therefore be impossible for
him to join me. If l crossed at Gunters-
vile. AS it was regarded as essential
that the whole of Wheeler'S Cavalry
remain in Georgia, l decided to defect
westward, effect a junction with For
rest. and then cross the river at Flor
ence. Gen. Beauregard sent orders to
him to join me without delay; also dis
patched messenger to hasten forward
supplies to Tuscumbia.
The succeeding day the movement
was continued toward Florence, in lieu
of Guntersville. as 1 had expected
Lieut.-Gen. Lees Corps reached the
Tennessee, near Florence. on the 30th:
Johnson's Division crossed the river
and took possession of that town. My
headquarters were during the 27th and
2Sth at the house of Gen. Garth, near
Decatur, where also stopped Gen. Beau
regard. While the army turned Deca-
tur L ordered a slight demonstration TO
be made against the town till our forces
passed safely beyond, when 1 moved
toward Tuscumbia, at which place j
arrived on the 31st of October. john
sons Division. which held possession of
Florence, was reinforced the same day
by Clayton's Division.
On the Banks of the Tennessee.
Thus the Confederate army rested upon
the banks of the Tennessee one month
after its departure from Palmetto. 1t
had been almost continuously in mo-
ton during this interim; it had by rapid
moves and maneuvers, and with only
a small loss, drawn Sherman as far
north as he stood in the early Spring.
The killed and wounded at Allatoona
had been replaced by absentees who
returned to ranks, and, as usual in such
operations. the number Of desertions
became of no consequence. In addition
to the official returns my authority for
the last assertion is Judge Cofer, of
Kentucky who was Provost Marshal of
the army at this period, and Is at pres
ent one of the District Judges of his
State. About two years ago. in Louis
vile. he informed me that he had been
impressed by the small number of de-
sertions reported to him during the
campaigns to the rear of Sherman and
into Tennessee.
Notwithstanding my request as early
as the 9th of October that the railroad
to Decatur be repaired. nothing had
been done on the 1st of November to-
wards the accomplishment of this i'm
portant object as the following dispatch
from the Superintendent of the road
viii! show:
"Corinth, Miss. Nov. 1, 1864.
Gen. G.. r. Beauregard.
'I fear you have greatly over-esti-
mated the capacity and condition of
this railroad to transport the SUPPLIES
for Gen. Hoods army.
Most of the bridges between here
and Okolona were destroyed and re-
Gently only patched up to pass a few
trains of supplies for Gen. Forrest. and
are liable to be swept away by freshets
which we may soon expect. The cross
ties are so much decayed that three
trains ran off yesterday. and the track
will be still worse in rainy weather.
II have called upon Gen. Taylor for
additional labor, and will use every
effort to forward supplies, but deem it
due to you to advise you of the true
condition of the road.
"(Signed) l.. ]. Fleming.
"Chief Engineer and General Superin-
tendent NJ. & o. r. r.
1 had expected upon my arrival at
Tuscumbia to find additional supplies
and to cross the river at once. Unfor-
tunately / was constrained to await
repairs upon the railroad before suffi-
cient amount of supplies could be re-
ceived to sustain the army till it was
able to reach Middle Tennessee.
Gen. Beauregard remained two weeks
at Tuscumbia and in its vicinity, during