January 3, 1863 (Thursday): McClellan Acquiesces

1861 Map of Kentucky/Tennessee (Library of Congress)

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,

                                                                        Washington, January 3, 1862.

Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK:

        Commanding Department of Missouri:

     GENERAL:  It is of the greatest importance that the rebel troops in Western Kentucky be prevented from moving to the support of the force in front of General Buell.  To accomplish this an expedition should be sent up the Cumberland River, to act in concert with General Buell’s command, of sufficient strength to defeat any force that may be brought against it.  The gunboats should be supported by at least one and perhaps two divisions of your best infantry, taken from Paducah and other points from which they can best be spared.  At the same time such a demonstration should be made on Columbus as will prevent the removal of any troops from that place; and, if a sufficient number have already been withdrawn, the place should be taken.  It may be well also to make a feint on the Tennessee River, with a command sufficient to prevent disaster under any circumstances.

     As our success in Kentucky depends in a great measure on our preventing re-enforcements from joining Buckner and Johnston, not a moment’s time should be lost in preparing these expeditions.

     I desire that you give me at once your views in full as to the best method of accomplishing our object, at the same time stating the nature and strength of the force that you can use for the purpose and the time necessary to prepare.

     Very respectfully,

                                                                        GEO. B. McCLELLAN,

                                                                        Major-General, Commanding.

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 7, Part 1, Page 527.

McClellan is here responding with unusual alacrity to the President’s desire for Halleck to cooperate with Buell in such a way as to allow Buell to move ultimately to the relief of eastern Tennessee.  There is an element of these plans being made up on the fly, which suggests McClellan is aware of the necessity to respond to political realities which required relief for Unionists in east Tennessee.  The hanging of bridge burners there provided a rallying point for Republicans who believed the Army too slow to move to the defense the defense of those loyal to the flag in border states.