William Boynton, Sherman's Historical Raid

On the 6th of January McClellan wrote to Buell as follows: ‘Halleck, from his own accounts, will not soon be in condition to support properly a movement up the Cumberland.’ And again on the 13th: ‘Halleck is not yet in condition to afford you the support you need when you undertake the movement on Bowling Green.’

On the 10th of January Halleck telegraphed Buell:

headquarters Department of the Missouri, St. Louis, January 10, 1862.
General Buell, Louisville.

Troops at Cairo and Paducah are ready for a demonstration on Mayfield, Murray, and Dover. Six additional regiments will be there next week. Fix the day when you wish a demonstration; but put it off as long as possible, in order that I may increase the strength of the force.

H. W. Halleck, Major-General.

On the same day Halleck telegraphed Grant: ‘Reenforcements are receiving arms. Delay your movements until I telegraph. Let me know when the channel is clear.’

And on the next day: ‘I can hear nothing from Buell, so fix your own time for the advance. Three regiments will come down Monday.’

Subsequently the following passed between Halleck and Buell:

St. Louis, February 2, 1862.
Brigadier-General Buell, Louisville, Ky.

General: Yours of the 30th ultimo is received. At present it is only proposed to take and occupy Fort Henry and Dover, and, if possible, cut the railroad from Columbus to Bowling Green. * * * But it will take some time to get troops ready to advance far south of Fort Henry.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

H. W. Halleck, Major General.

St. Louis, February 7, 1862.
To General Buell, Louisville.

You say you regret that we could not have consulted on this matter earlier. So do I most sincerely. I had no idea of commencing the movement before the 15th or 20th inst., until I received General McClellan's telegram about the reenforcements sent to Tennessee and Kentucky by Beauregard. Although