September 10, 1863 (Saturday): Burnside Tries to Resign

General Ambrose Burnside

CUMBERLAND GAP, September 10, 1863.
(Received 8.10 p. m.)
His Excellency A. LINCOLN,
President of the United States:
     You will remember that I some time ago told you that I wished to retire to private life. The rebellion now seems pretty well checked, and the work I am doing can no doubt be as well, or better, performed by some one else, se that I can conscientiously ask to be allowed to resign, if you think the good of the service will permit. I shall be here tomorrow, and will be glad to get an answer. I look upon East Tennessee as one of the most loyal sections of the United States.


     A. E. BURNSIDE,   
     Major-General.

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 30, Part 3, Page 523.

Burnside, like many soldiers of lesser rank, was weary of the war.  He believed, based on his experiences in the field, the main work in the west was already accomplished.  Burnside also likely still felt the weight of the disaster at Fredericksburg.  Lincoln would not accept his resignation, and he would ultimately return east to lead the Ninth Corp, before being removed from command for his handling of troops at Petersburg during the attempted breakthrough at the Crater.

September 9, 1863 (Friday): Chattanooga Abandoned

Chattanooga 1863 (hctg.org)

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Trenton, Ga., September 9, 1863-9.30 a.m.
Major-General STANLEY,
Chief of Cavalry:
   A dispatch from General Wagner of 8.30 p.m. yesterday was received this morning, stating that the rebels evacuated Chattanooga yesterday, and he would occupy it this morning. One of our scouts reports that the mass of the rebel force was yesterday at the northern spur of Missionary Ridge, 6 miles from Chattanooga. A vigorous pursuit has been ordered by the whole army. General Crittenden is moving into Chattanooga this morning to commence the pursuit. General Thomas moves on La Fayette, and General McCook has been ordered to move an Alpine and Summerville with his whole force. The general commanding has strong hopes that we may be able to inflict very serious injury upon the rebel army.
    In view of the uncertainty of the enemy's route the general commanding leaves your operations to your own discretion, with the general direction to cover our extreme right flank and move upon Rome or such other point as shall do the enemy most serious harm. If their retreat can once be turned into a rout, your command can do them immense injury. General McCook has been directed to see to the protection and forwarding of your train in case you have left no arrangement to that effect. Minty is ordered to cross at Chattanooga and will accompany General Crittenden in the pursuit and will join you in a few days.
    Very respectfully, your obedient servant,


    J. A. GARFIELD,
    Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff.

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 

What Rosecrans, and Garfield his chief-of-staff, did not realize was Bragg was not routed, but was moving to gain room for offensive action.  Also not known, but speculated upon, was the fact Longstreet's 1st Corp was on its way to link up with Bragg. 

September 8, 1863 (Thursday): Lee to Tennessee?

Uniform of Robert E. Lee (Va. Historical Society)

RICHMOND, September 8,[1863].
General R. E. LEE:
     Have considered your letter. Believe your presence in the western army would be worth more than the addition of a corps, but fear the effect of your absence from Virginia. Did not doubt your willingness to do whatever was best for the country, and suggest your aid to determine that question.  Have sent you all additional information, to aid your further consideration of problems discussed with you here.

 
     JEFFERSON DAVIS.

Official Record, Series I., Vol. 29, Part 2, Page 702.

Lee had written two days before, "As regards myself, should you think that the service will be benefited by my repairing to the Army of Tennessee, I will of course submit to your judgment. From your knowledge of all the circumstances attending the operations of both armies, you can come to a more correct conclusion than I can from my point of view. In my conversation with you on this subject when the question was proposed. I did not intend to decline the service, if desired that I should undertake it, but merely to express the opinion that the duty could be better performed by the officers already in that department."  Lee here is likely referring to discussions with Davis after it was decided to send Longstreet's Corp west.  As when Lee had offered his resignation after Gettysburg, Davis was still faced with the essential question of who he could replace Lee with.  There was no satisfactory answer.  

September 7, 1863 (Wednesday): Defending Mississippi

General Stephen D. Lee

HEADQUARTERS,
Near Crystal Springs, September 7, 1863.
Major General S. D. LEE,
Commanding Cavalry:
    GENERAL: I have information from a reliable citizen just out from Natchez that the enemy are preparing for a simultaneous raid from Natchez and Vicksburg. Some allowance should be made for information coming through a citizen, yet it should at least put us on the watch. My scouts in the vicinity of Natchez report the enemy impressing all the horses in that region. I think such a movement quite probable. These raids would likely attempt to form a junction at Hazlehurst or Brookhaven. you see my position. I can manage any force that may be sent from Natchez if I am protected from a force coming in my rear from the direction of Vicksburg. Would it not be advisable to concentrate a sufficient force of cavalry at some point near this place to prevent these raids from forming a junction and capture them should they come out? Any additional information I may receive will be fowarded to you at once. I learned yesterday that the enemy is rebuilding the bridge across Pass Manchac, on New Orleans and Jackson Railroad, and will probably occupy Ponchatoula very soon.
    I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,


    John L. LOGAN,
    Colonel, Commanding Brigade.

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 52, Part 2, Page 523.

Vicksburg was vital to control of the Mississippi River, but it also served as a jumping off point for raids into the interior of the Confederacy.  Lee was an interesting character.  At Antietam he commanded the guns in the hottest of the action around Dunker Church.  After the battle Jefferson Davis asked Lee for an artillery officer of high ability to send West.  Captured at Vicksburg with Pemberton and paroled, Lee was appointed major general and given command of a cavalry division.

 

September 6, 1863 (Tuesday): To Move An Army

General Otto Strahl

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF TENNESSEE,
Chattanooga, September 6, 1863.
Lieutenant-General POLK:
    Send everything to the rear. Retain only fighting men.
     By command of General Bragg:


     GEORGE WM. BRENT,
     Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF TENNESSEE,
Chattanooga, Tenn., September 6, 1863.
Lieutenant-General POLK:
Commanding Corps:
     GENERAL: It is ordered that six days' rations be drawn and carried be the troops, but that only the bacon be cooked. The beef will be driven on the hoof. Bread or meal must be taken by the corps for six days.
     I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,


     KINLOCH FALCONER,
    Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS POLK'S CORPS,
Chattanooga, September 6, 1863.
Major-General CHEATHAM:
   GENERAL: The lieutenant-general commanding desires that you will have your command placed in readiness to move without delay with three days' cooked rations.
    Most respectfully, general, your obedient servant,


    THOS. M. JACK,
    Assistant Adjutant-General.

    (Same to Major-General Hindman.)

HEADQUARTERS POLK'S CORPS,
Chattanooga, September 6, 1863.
Major General T. C. HINDMAN:
    GENERAL: The lieutenant-general commanding wishes you to hold your command ready for movement at a moment's notice.
    Respectfully, general,


    [THOS. M. JACK,]
    Assistant Adjutant-General.

   (Same to Major General B. F. Cheatham.)

HEADQUARTERS POLK'S CORPS,
Chattanooga, September 6, 1863
Major-General CHEATHAM:
    GENERAL: When you are ready are to move the lieutenant-general desires you to inform him of the fact, in order that he may put the column in motion.
     Respectfully, general, your obedient servant,


     [THOS. M. JACK,]
     Assistant Adjutant-General.]

     (Same to Major-General Hindman.)

HEADQUARTERS HINDMAN'S DIVISION,
September 6, 1863.
Lieutenant Colonel T. M. JACK,
Assistant Adjutant-General:
     COLONEL: The brigade commanders of this division have been requested to report as soon as they are ready to move, and the information will be sent to corps headquarters promptly. I write this to account for the present delay. I am apprehensive of trouble upon the subject of transportation for rations.
     Respectfully,


     [T. C. HINDMAN,]
     Major-General, commanding

HEADQUARTERS BRECKINRIDGE'S DIVISION,
September 6, 1863-6.45 p.m.
Colonel ARCHER ANDERSON,
Assistant Adjutant-General:
     COLONEL: By direction of the lieutenant-general commanding I have the honor to inform him that my headquarters for to-night are on the open ground near the frame hospital which I pointed out to him this afternoon.
     I respectfully suggest that I have received no orders except verbally from you this morning to move my command to Chattanooga, and that I have found my brigades moving under other orders, which is may apology for their scattered condition. I have officers in search of them, and will report their exact locality as soon as possible.
     I am, colonel, respectfully, your obedient servant,


     JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE,
     Major-General, Commanding.


CHATTANOOGA, September 6, 1863.
Lieutenant-general POLK,
Commanding Corps:
     GENERAL: I am instructed by the general commanding to say that you need not put your troops in motion to-night.
     I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,


     GEORGE WM. BRENT,
     Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS POLK'S CORPS,
Chattanooga, September 6, 1863.
Major-General CHEATHAM:
     GENERAL: The movement of this corps is suspended until further orders.
     Most respectfully, general, your obedient servant,


     [THOS. M. JACK,]
     Assistant Adjutant-General.


    (Same to Major-General Hindman.)

LOOKOUT POINT, September 6, 1863.
Lieutenant-General POLK,
Commanding Corps:
     Enemy just in front of my pickets. Send battery, if you can, immediately.


    STRAHL,
    Brigadier-General.

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 30, Part 4, Pages 612-614.

This is a rare, but good example, of a series of orders to move an army on short notice.  Bragg has decided to leave Chattanooga, but great coordination is required to move his whole force as each part must, to some extent, cover the others.

 

September 5, 1863 (Monday): Wilder Reports

Monument to Wilder's "Lightning Brigade" at Chickamauga

HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., FOURTH DIV., 14TH ARMY CORPS,
September 5, 1863-7 p.m.
Lieutenant Colonel R. L. KIMBERLY,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General:
    SIR: I have the honor to report that my battery threw some thirty shells at the pontoon-bridge that is moored to the landing at Chattanooga, all laid ready to swing across the stream. We succeeded in sinking two of the pontoon-boats, but there is a reserve of several in the water near by. All of the small flat-boats that were at the landing when we first arrived are taken away. We suppose they are in the mouth of Chattanooga Creek, where a great deal of pounding was going on last night.
     There appears to be more camp-fires back of Chattanooga than every before. Nothing would be easier than for the rebels to ferry a force across the river at the base of Lookout Mountain, as their artillery completely covers the long promontory below Chattanooga formed by the bend in the river, and if they could throw their whole army between Burnside and Rosecrans, on the north side of the river, they would compel both to fall back without a battle, and perhaps with the loss of their communications and a quantity of supplies, leaving them in a country destitute of rations. This is, however, only speculation, with a possibility of its being accomplished. I have sent my caissons and baggage up the mountain to-night, so as to be prepared for anything.
    Two deserters of the Thirty-fourth Alabama came in to-day and state that it is currently reported that Longstreet's corps from Lee's army is arriving, and that the rebels are going to dash through on the line indicated to invade the North. They also state that a cavalry force is stationed on South Chickamauga Creek, ready to ford the river at Friar's Island, covered by their artillery.
     A courier just arrived from midway between Friar's and Chattanooga states that the infantry picket opposite is to-night relieved by a cavalry force. Ambulances have been busy to-day running between Chattanooga and the direction of Tyner's, as if disposing of their sick, preparatory to a move.
I have directed two companies to guard the road going down the river below Williams' Island, and in case we are compelled to fall back, they are to hold the road going to Sequatchie Valley. I have also two companies at Therman, in Sequatchie Valley, guarding some rations left there. I have sent one more company to the mouth of North Chickamauga as a reserve. My entire available force in the three regiments here, including all detached parties, is not over 1,200 effective men.
     I am, sir, very respectfully, yours to command,


      J. T. WILDER,
      Colonel, Commanding.
 
      P. S.-I have forwarded your orders to signal officer.

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 30, Part 3, Page 367.

Not wanting to be trapped in another Vicksburg, Bragg abandoned Chattanooga, spreading false stories through fake deserters as he left.  Halleck and the Union high command believed he was fleeing for Atlanta when his real purpose, as supposed by Wilder, was to interpose between Burnside, about to take Knoxville, and Rosecrans.  Bragg's army was on the loose and the Chickamauga campaign fully underway.  Wilder was a very able officer, who had come to prominence in the Tullahoma Campaign.  His mounted soldiers moved swiftly and were well armed, earning the sobriquet "The Lightning Brigade".  Much would be heard from them at Chickamauga.

September 4, 1863 (Sunday): Honoring the Dead

Fort Willard (www.fairfaxcounty.gov)

HEADQUARTERS CHIEF ENGINEER OF DEFENSES,
Washington, September 4, 1863.
Colonel J. C. KELTON,
Assistant Adjutant-General:
SIR: I respectfully recommend that the following works and forts, forming part of the Defenses of Washington, may be called after the officers whose names are set opposite, and who have died or been killed in the service of the United States:
    Fort at Rozier's Bluff, on east side of the Potomac River, 2 miles below Alexandria, to be called Fort Foote, after Rear-Admiral A. H. Foote, U. S. Navy, who died of disease June 26, 1863, and whose distinguished services in command of the United States naval forces upon the Western rivers are well known.
    Water battery at Alexandria to be called Battery Rodgers, after Fleet Captain G. W. Rodgers, U. S. Navy, killed August 17, 1863, in a naval attack upon Fort Wagner, Charleston Harbor, S. C.
    Fort Blenker, south side of Potomac, to be called Fort Reynolds, after Major General J. F. Reynolds, killed July 1, 1863, at Gettysburg, Pa.
     Redoubt A, near Fort Lyon, to be called Fort Weed, after Stephen H. Weed, captain Fifth Artillery, brigadier-general of volunteers, killed July 2, 1863, at Gettysburg, Pa.
     Redoubt B, near Fort Lyon, to be called Fort Farnsworth, after Brigadier General Elon J. Farnsworth, killed July 3, 1863, at Gettysburg, Pa.
     Redoubt C, near Fort Lyon, to be called Fort O'Rorke, after Patrick H. O'Rorke, first lieutenant of Engineers, U. S. Army (colonel of volunteers), killed July 2, 1863, at Gettysburg, Pa.
     Redoubt D, near Fort Lyon, to be called Fort Willard, after George L. Willard, major Nineteenth Infantry (colonel of volunteers), killed July 2, 1863, at Gettysburg, Pa.
      I am, very respectfully, your most obedient,


      J. G. BARNARD,
      Brigadier General Chief Engineer Defenses of Washington.

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 29, Part 2, Page 154.

The naming of fortifications after heroes of the war not only acknowledged their service but that of the organizations they served with.  It is worth noting the officers named were all conspicuous for bravery in combat.  Unlike the modern military, which is given to such trivializations as naming aircraft carriers after politicians, those honored actually achieved military distinction of such high note as to merit the honor.