Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 10.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[252] proper and sufficient supply of wood and water for the troops.

General: Considering that we have yet still so much to be removed from this place, I have decided that the retrograde movement shall not take place until the thirtieth instant, at the hours appointed, instead of the twenty-ninth.

You will please issue all necesaary orders to that effect to the forces under your command.

It would be advisable to stop at once the ammunition and provision trains at convenient points to this place.

Respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

General: I approve of your request to leave at twelve h (not eleven) to-night, if it be clear. Send artillery at sundown two miles back, so as to be beyond reach of sound to the enemy. Be careful, however, not to send it too far.

As Bragg's rear guard will not leave until three h, A. M., yours ought not to leave before 2 1/2 for Hardee's left would then be uncovered whilst moving in rear of your present position and before crossing the railroad.

Hardee will destroy the bridges (dirt and railroad) on Tuscumbia, provided he is guarding them. But have the matter clearly understood with him, so as to admit of no error. I referred in my note to the small bridge on Clear Creek, one which you must pass.

You must, of course, have out as few details as possible. You must be the sole judge of that.

The telegraph operator must remain at his post as long as possible, say until your main forces move to the rear, for at any moment we may be called upon to move forward.

I am glad to hear of the sham balloon. I hope it is so, for I fear that more than their artillery at this moment.

Your obedient servant,

P. S.--You must not forget to obstruct thoroughly the road across Clear Creek, near General Jones's lines. You or Hardee must keep a strong guard of infantry and two pieces of artillery at the Clear Creek railroad bridge, until the last cars shall have left the depot here. Please arrange this matter distinctly with him.

Would it not be prudent to send one regiment, two pieces of artillery, and some cavalry to protect your train?

I think I would keep Price back in best position to move either to the rear to protect the train, if necessary, or to the front, in case of battle.

General: From information received, Guntown, four miles and a half below Baldwin, is considered a better position for the defensive; hence we will go there. Please give the necessary orders.

Small details must be kept in or about old camps, to keep up usual fires, on account of balloon, with orders to join their commands at ten hour, on the march to the rear, or in front, in case of battle.

Not too many fires must be kept on the lines to-night, so as not to reveal too clearly our position. A brigade (the best one) from each corps will be selected to guard and bring up the rear of each column, to move off about two hours after the rest of the column, and from which a small detail will be left at each bridge to destroy it after passage of cavalry. Detail to be in proportion to importance of bridge.

Would it not be advisable for the main forces to start at the one h, and the rear guards at three h A. M.?

No rockets must be fired to-night.

Your obedient servant,

Generals: The following modifications have been made in the order relative to the retrograde movement from this place:

1. At sundown the light batteries must be sent to about one mile from the intrenched lines, in order to avoid communicating to the enemy any information of the movement. These batteries must be so placed outside of the road as to follow their brigades at night without any difficulty.

2. At eight o'clock P. M., the heavy batteries of the lines must be removed, without noise, to the cars, and sent to the Central depot.

3. At ten o'clock P. M., the retrograde movement of the forces is to commence, as already instructed.

4. At twelve o'clock P. M., or as soon thereafter as possible, the rear guard is to follow the movement.

5. As soon as the Army of the Mississippi shall have got beyond the Tuscumbia, and the Army of the West beyond Ridge Creek, General Beall, at Corinth, (chief of cavalry,) shall be informed of the facts, and the position in the rear of said stream shall be held until the train shall be considered beyond the reach of the enemy.

6. Camp-fires must be kept up all night by the troops in position, and then by the cavalry.