General Joseph E. Johnston, Narrative of Military Operations During the Civil War

[246] sending cavalry from Mississippi to Tennessee, was early in January, when I was at Jackson, not Tullahoma. I can find but one telegram received from you on the subject; it is dated April 30th, and in these words: “General Pemberton telegraphs that unless he has more cavalry the approaches to North Mississippi are almost unprotected, and that he cannot prevent the cavalry raids.” My reply is of the same date: “About three thousand of General Bragg's cavalry, beyond the Tennessee, are employing about twelve thousand Federal troops from Mississippi. General Pemberton has been so informed twice.” The main body of the cavalry of Mississippi was near Grenada in January, unorganized and unemployed, and from the condition of the country it was supposed by the officers and intelligent citizens whom I consulted, including the Governor, that it would be useless in the State until late in the spring. Grant had fallen back toward Memphis, and Sherman and McClernand had been repulsed at Vicksburg, but Bragg's army had been terribly reduced by the engagements near Murfreesboroa. I therefore directed Major-General Van Dorn to form about two-thirds of the cavalry near Grenada into a division, and to join General Bragg with it. These troops were transferred from a country in which they could not operate, and a department not threatened, and in which the enemy had just been repulsed, to one in which they were greatly needed, where we had just suffered a reverse and were in danger of another. These troops and their gallant leader rendered very important services in Tennessee. They had several engagements with the enemy, to the advantage and honor