| Nashville Depot-Library of Congress |
HEADQUARTERS, Huntsville, August 15, 1862.
General MORGAN, Cumberland Gap:
We have some rumors that Bragg's force, instead of concentrating in East Tennessee, is moving to Richmond. If true it is of the greatest importance. Spare no means to ascertain the facts and apprise me instantly even of its probable truth.
D. C. BUELL.
Official Records, Series I., Vol. 16, Part 2, Page 343.
It is easy to consider Buell an alarmist for think Bragg's force was headed to Richmond at this juncture of the war. But this message underlines how important railroads were to both sides and how they were changing the strategy of war. It would have been possible, though logistically difficult, for Bragg to embark his command by rail and move east. It was not his plan, but it was also not an unreasonable thing for Buell to be concerned about.
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