Confederate correspondence, Etc.
Just arrived and received dispatch.
My report was delayed to obtain official reports of Generals Floyd and Pillow.
All were sent on by Colonel Liddell on 28th February, informing you of the condition of my command and my plans.
The forces are en route and in good order.
The column is marching toward Decatur and Corinth.
The advance will reach Decatur in three days. General Floyd sent to Chattanooga with 2,500 troops.
Cleburne's brigade and two regiments and battalion of cavalry left at Shelbyville to forward pork under General Hardee and then to rejoin main body.
headquarters Army of the Mississippi, Jackson, Tenn., March 5, 1862.
soldiers: I assume this day the command of the Army of the Mississippi, for the defense of our homes and liberties, and to resist the subjugation, spoliation, and dishonor of our people.
Our mothers and wives, our sisters and children, expect us to do our duty even to the sacrifice of our lives.
Our losses since the commencement of this war in killed, wounded, and prisoners are now about the same as those of the enemy.
He must be made to atone for the reverses we have lately experienced.
Those reverses, far from disheartening, must nerve us to new deeds of valor and patriotism, and should inspire us with unconquerable determination to drive back our invaders.
Should any one in this army be unequal to the task before us, let him transfer his arms and equipments at once to braver, firmer hands, and return to his home.
Our cause is as just and sacred as ever animated men to take up arms, and if we are true to it and to ourselves, with the continued protection of the Almighty, we must and shall triumph. G. T. Beauregard, General, Commanding.
General orders, no. 2.
Hdqrs. 2D Grand Div., Army of Miss., Jackson, Tenn., March 5, 1862.
1. All troops coming within limits of this division from Louisiana and Mississippi will rendezvous at Grand Junction, Tenn., and those from Alabama at Corinth, Miss., and the new levies from Tennessee will rendezvous at Henderson and Bethel Stations, on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad.
2. Lea's and Browder's regiments Tennessee Volunteers and stragglers and unattached men will proceed from Henderson Station to Corinth, and report to Brigadier-General Ruggles.
The Seventh Regiment Mississippi Volunteers will proceed from Jackson to Henderson.
3. Chiefs of staff will see that the necessary supplies and transportation are furnished to effect these movements.
4. Railroads within the limits of this command, being absolutely necessary for military purposes at this time, are, to the extent necessary, placed under the control of the Quartermaster's Department.
To
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suppress disorders arrest all persons traveling without proper authority, and prevent undue interference by unauthorized persons on the Memphis and Charleston and Mobile and Ohio Railroads.
Brigadier-General Ruggles will make the necessary details from his command to send a guard of one commissioned officer and five men with each passenger train on these roads.
5. The sale or supplying in any manner of intoxicating liquors within 5 miles of any station occupied by troops or within 1 mile of any public highway used for military purposes, except for medicinal purposes, on the written prescription of a regular physician, is prohibited.
All grog-shops and drinking saloons within such limits will be closed and the supplies packed, subject to military inspection.
Any violation of this order will be followed by prompt arrest of the offender and destruction of all his stores of liquor.
6. Martial law is declared at the city of Memphis.
A firm and discreet officer, of proper qualifications, will be detailed by Brigadier-General Ruggles to assume the duties of provost-marshal at that place, who will publish his orders and call on the commanding officer at that city for the necessary guards to enforce them.
7. The prisoners of war at Memphis will be transferred to Mobile, under a guard of 50 men, to be detailed by Brigadier-General Ruggles from his command at Corinth.
The commanding officer at Mobile will forward them, under a proper guard, to Tuscaloosa, Ala., for confinement.
By command of Major-General Bragg: H. W. Walter, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
sir: There are at this post several regiments whose term of service will expire in from one to two months. Those of them who re-enlist will do so only on condition of being granted the furlough allowed by law. Those who refuse to re-enlist will demand their discharge.
I have thought it proper, to secure the continued services of these several commands (all of which are well drilled and efficient), to promise those who re-enlist the furlough at the expiration of their present term of service.
The fulfillment of this promise and the discharge of those who do not re-enlist will leave the post undefended, and necessitate the sending here of other troops:
I doubt not that reserves can be sent forward from Knoxville and elsewhere as fast as they may be needed.
I wish, in view of these facts herein stated, respectfully to ask several questions.
1st.
Does it meet the approval of the Department that I should grant to all who re-enlist the furlough upon their re-enlistment at the expiration of their present term of service, provided that fresh troops can be brought forward to supply their places?
2d.
Should the re-enlisted men who are sent home on furlough carry their arms and accouterments with them or surrender them to me?
3d.
What shall be done with the arms of those who are discharged here?
Will they deliver their arms to me; and, if so, shall I hold them
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subject to the orders of the Department, or shall I arm with them such unarmed corps as may be sent forward to supply the place of those discharged
Respectfully,
James E. Rains Colonel, Commanding Pot.
Send to me frequently information of your condition and purposes.
The official reports in relation to the fall of Fort Donelson and consequent events are much wanted.
dear General: I received through Colonel Olivier your letter of the 4th instant, inclosing report of the gallant repulse of the enemy's troops and gunboats at Pittsburg by a part of Colonel Mouton's regiment, the Eighteenth Louisiana.
You will please express to him my thanks at this brilliant success on his first encounter with the enemy.
I hope it is only the forerunner of still more gallant deeds on the part of his regiment.
Being still unwell, I have requested General Bragg to furnish you with all necessary instructions.
I remain, yours, respectfully,
G. T. Beauregard, General, Commanding.
Hdqrs. Second Grand Division Army of the Miss., Jackson, Tenn., March 6, 1862.
General Daniel Ruggles, Commanding, &c., Corinth, Miss.:
General: Your communication of the 4th instant, with inclosures, has been referred to Major-General Bragg.
I am directed by the general commanding to say that the instructions to withdraw Clanton's [First Alabama Cavalry] regiment are so modified as to allow you full discretion as to what forces you will keep on the east of the Tennessee River, with a suggestion that provision be made to avoid its being cut off by a sudden move of the enemy.
Keep this force actively employed in scouting the country, collecting supplies of all kinds, forage, provisions, means of transportation, &c., and require them to communicate frequently.
Colonel Clanton is gallant to rashness, and may require some little advice as to caution.
Wherever there is evidence of disloyalty, either in words or deeds, the parties should be arrested and brought to the rear.
Your command will soon amount to 15,000 men, and you should be making every provision possible for their support.
The First Alabama Volunteers [Infantry], Lieut. Col. I. G. W. Steedman; the Second, Major O'Bannon and [Twenty-first], Colonel Crawford's, will go forward
[General Daniel Ruggles, Commanding, &c., Corinth, Miss.:
