Delicate Relations
From the editor: In early February it became clear that Ulysses S. Grant had shifted a large force under ‘Cump’ Sherman to operate in central Mississippi. This action reopened the long standing rift between Joe Johnston and President Davis. The President, still believing that Federal power in the West is insufficient to launch two simultaneous attacks in two separate areas, wants Johnston to send reinforcements to bolster Leonidas Polk's small 9,000-man Army of Mississippi. However, Johnston argues that he can’t give Polk sufficient reinforcements and hold his position at Dalton. He writes: "We cannot both hold this route to Georgia & effectually aid Gen. Polk." It is a scene reminiscent of Johnston's and Davis' disagreements during the Vicksburg campaign. Shortly after Davis orders Johnston to send Hardee's Corps to Mississippi, Johnston learns that Union forces have taken Ringgold and are approaching the mountain gaps outside Dalton. This forces President Davis to quickly rescind his order and Hardee's men are hustled back to Johnston's army. Although the affair blows over quickly when Sherman withdraws from Meridian and George Thomas pulls his men back to Ringgold, it strains the delicate relations between Johnston and Davis. Johnston's belief that the President's strategic vision is shortsighted and self-defeating is again reinforced as is Davis' belief that Johnston is too timid to be an effective army commander. Perhaps even more ominous is Davis' decision to cut Johnston out of the loop in the ongoing discussions for organizing offensive operations in the West. Rather than deal with the prickly Johnston, Davis turns to his new chief-of-staff Braxton Bragg to determine the future course of action for Johnston's army.
February 21 1864 (Sunday)
From his headquarters in New Market, Tennessee, thirty miles northeast of Knoxville, James Longstreet informs Joseph E. Johnston that it will be a few days before he can send William T. Martin's cavalry division to Dalton, Georgia. He writes: "As I am now in the immediate presence of the enemy, I cannot dispense with cavalry. As soon as I can get a little halt I will send the cavalry as the President has ordered." Longstreet also notifies President Jefferson Davis that the loss of Martin's cavalry "involves the necessity of withdrawing my army to Bristol." Davis is not pleased that ‘Old Pete’ is planning to withdraw from his position near Knoxville. He writes: "It was not intended by the order in regard to the cavalry that you should abandon your present line. My views were exactly the reverse." He continues: "You must exercise your discretion about retiring, but it is hoped that you will not find it necessary to fall back farther than the vicinity of Morristown and Bean's Station." Longstreet counters by reintroducing his proposal to launch a mounted invasion into Kentucky. "I propose to endeavor to mount my entire command and move it across the mountains into Kentucky.... If we can go into Kentucky as mounted infantry we can get possession of the railroad there and hold it long enough to force the enemy to leave Tennessee, and we can remain in Kentucky until General Johnston can come up and to join us.... I have written… [Robert E. Lee] upon this subject, and hope that he may be able to aid us in furnishing a large number of horses and mules."
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF EAST TENNESSEE, New Market, Tenn., February 21, 1864.
General R.E. LEE, Commanding: The cavalry that I have had is ordered back to General Johnston.... This makes it necessary that I should withdraw my forces to a point in my rear with less exposed flanks than in my present position, and will take me so far back and leave me so little cavalry, that I can hope to do nothing more than wait for the enemy to turn me out by one flank or the other, and throw me gradually back. It leaves us, too--that is, General Johnston and I--with two armies between us; this army entirely helpless.... The enemy can concentrate both armies upon General Johnston, without the chance of a counter move by me against this portion of his line. You will readily see my difficulties, as well as those of General Johnston. Under the circumstances, I can see no great hope of doing more than check the enemy occasionally on this road, unless he is bold enough to come out and attack me. This he will not do, as he can always throw me back by turning my flanks by his superior numbers and excess of cavalry. It seems to me that the only thing left for me is to mount the command and move into Kentucky. If I can get on the railroad between Louisville and Nashville I can hold Kentucky, I think. At all events, I can hold it long enough to force the enemy to quit Tennessee and allow General Johnston to advance and regain it. The only way to mount us is by sending us 5,000 mules from Virginia, 2,500 from Georgia, and 2,000 from South Carolina; I have 5,000.... We have no time to spare, and the whole thing should be kept from other parties. I remain, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
J. LONGSTREET, Lieutenant-General, Commanding.
Nathan B. Forrest draws his cavalry command together to meet the Union advance at West Point, Mississippi. Rather than confront Forrest's cavalry in battle, W. Sooy Smith, commanding the Union Cavalry Expedition, orders a hasty withdrawal. Forrest reports: "As the enemy withdrew I followed them with my escort and a portion of [William W. Faulkner’s 12th Kentucky Cavalry] …. Our advance at first was necessarily slow and cautious. I soon ascertained...that the enemy had begun a rapid and systematic retreat, and dashed on after them.... They made several stands, but [Colonel Robert ‘Black Bob’ McCulloch], with his [Second Missouri Cavalry], having caught up, we continued to charge and drive them on." Forrest sends instructions to James R. Chalmers: "I will follow on as long as I think I can do any good. Send the 2,000 [cavalry] and move as rapidly as possible with the light artillery." Forrest's fierce pursuit forces Smith to hurry his men back to Okolona. George E. Waring, Fourth Missouri Cavalry, reports: "[I] received frequent reports of attacks on the rear of the Second Brigade, which was following us, and at 3 p.m. halted at a plantation 4 miles north of Prairie Station.... Remained in this position until the Second Brigade had closed up, and then proceeded...to the camp of the division, about 3 miles south of Okolona."
Report of Brig. Gen. W. Sooy Smith, U.S. Army, commanding expedition from Memphis.
SIR: The whole command arrived near West Point...and careful reconnaissances were made of the Sakatonchee Swamp on our right, the Oktibbeha on our front, and the Tombigbee on our left. They were all found strongly held by the enemy, present in four brigades and to the number of about 6,000 or 7,000, according to the best information that could be obtained.... The enemy was in a position in my front and on my flanks which afforded him every advantage. The ground was so obstructed as to make it absolutely necessary that we should fight dismounted, and for this kind of fighting the enemy, armed with Enfield and Austrian rifles, was better prepared than our force, armed mainly with carbines. There was but one of my brigades that I could rely upon with full confidence. The conduct of the other two on the march had been such as to indicate such a lack of discipline as to create in my mind the most serious apprehensions as to what would be their conduct in action. Any reverse to my command, situated as it was, would have been fatal.... Under the circumstances I determined not to move my encumbered command into the trap set for me by the rebels....I therefore determined to move back and draw the enemy after me, that I might select my own positions and fight with the advantages in our favor....Very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
WM. SOOY SMITH, Brig. Gen., Chief of Cavalry, Mil. Div. of the Mississippi.
Other Union activity reported on this date:
1. Truman Seymour withdraws back to Baldwin, Florida, and reports: "The enemy has from 10,000 to 15,000 men. I do not consider Baldwin as defensive against half that force, as it can be completely turned. I shall therefore go back to…Jacksonville."
2. Phillip St.G. Cooke, commanding at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, reports a “foraging party” of the Fourth Wisconsin returned with 50 cattle and “three prisoners.”
Other Confederate activity reported on this date:
1. Joseph Finegan pens a victory dispatch to President Davis: "I met the enemy in full force...and defeated him…. My cavalry are in pursuit."
2. Lt. Colonel J.S. Mosby reports a series of skirmishes near Circleville and Dranesville, Virginia. He writes: “They fled in every direction in the wildest confusion.”
February 22 1864 (Monday) –Washington’s Birthday—
W. Sooy Smith attempts to make a stand near Okolona in hopes of slowing Forrest's determined pursuit. Nathan B. Forrest reports: "With my escort I came upon and charged the enemy 4 miles from Okolona, and drove their rear guard into town.... They received us with a volley and charged with yells, but were handsomely repulsed in the open field and forced to retreat, which they did rapidly and in confusion, using every exertion to check pursuit by ambuscading and forming regiments on either side of the road, who would fire and retreat successively Before attempting or being able to make a stand of any kind they were crowded so closely that they cut out the horses and abandoned five pieces of artillery, and gaining the broken and hilly country...their resistance became more stubborn." Smith's men retreat along the road to Pontotoc and form another line. Before he can shore up this new position, Smith's line again gives way. He reports: "A portion of [Colonel La Fayette McCrillis' Third Illinois Cavalry...stampeded at the yells of our own men charging..., galloped back through and over everything, spreading confusion wherever they went.... [The enemy] pressed their attack with great determination, but at last fell back." In the action Forrest's brother is killed. He reports: "[Colonel Jeffrey E. Forrest] was killed this evening.... We have captured four or five pieces of artillery. [The fighting] was obstinate, as the enemy were forced to make repeated stands to hold us in check and to save their pack-mules, &c., from stampede. The fight closed with a grand cavalry charge of the enemy's whole force. We repulsed them with heavy loss and completely routed them."
Report of Maj. Gen. Nathan B. Forrest, C.S. Army.
COLONEL: Ten miles from Pontotoc they made a last and final effort to check pursuit, and from their preparations, numbers, and advantageous position no doubt indulged the hope of success. They had formed in three lines across a large field on the left of the road, but which a turn in the road made it directly in our front. Their lines were at intervals of several hundred paces, and the rear and second lines longer than the first.... My ammunition was nearly exhausted, and I knew that if we faltered they would in turn become the attacking party, and that disaster might follow. Many of my men were broken down and exhausted with clambering the hills on foot and fighting almost constantly for the last 9 miles. I determined, therefore, relying upon the bravery and courage of the few men I had up, to advance to the attack. As we moved up, the whole force charged down at a gallop, and I am proud to say that my men did not disappoint me. Standing firm, they repulsed the grandest cavalry charge I ever witnessed.... Each successive line of the enemy shared the same fate and fled the field in dismay and confusion, and losing another piece of artillery, and leaving it strewn with dead and wounded men and horses. Half of my command were out of ammunition, the men and horses exhausted and worn down with two days' hard riding and fighting, night was at hand, and further pursuit impossible.... I regard the defeat of this force...as a victory of which all engaged in it may justly feel proud.... Its moral effect upon the raw, undisciplined and undrilled troops of this command is in value incalculable. It has inspired them with courage and given them confidence in themselves and their commanders.... All of which is respectfully submitted.
N.B. FORREST, Major-General.
After burning all the buildings in Baldwin, Florida, the rear guard of Truman Seymour's defeated army trudges back to Jacksonville. Captain Benjamin F. Skinner, Seventh Connecticut, reports: "[I] scattered turpentine and rosin around in the railroad building preparatory to burning the same. [Colonel Guy V. Henry, 40th Massachusetts Mounted Infantry,] directed me to march with the rest of my command to Jacksonville, and go by way of the railroad.... I resumed my march, arriving in Jacksonville about 7 o'clock, having marched 20 miles." Seymour reports the reasons for his withdrawal to Department of the South commander Quincy Gillmore: "So greatly superior in force is the enemy that the position at Barber's against him would be entirely insecure.... This post is accordingly evacuated. The same objections apply to Baldwin with equal strength. Everything was removed from that place, and Colonel Henry was directed to remain as a rear guard, and he has doubtless fallen back tonight." Aware that he had advanced into battle at Olustee without orders, Seymour defends his actions in a letter to Gillmore: “Events...modified the condition of affairs under my command.... Of course the object of the movement was entirely frustrated, and from all that I could learn the enemy was in largely superior force and was intending to advance upon the position at Barber's, and was only delayed by the belief that this movement of mine was in progress."
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF FLORIDA, Jacksonville, Fla., February 22, 1864.
Brig. Gen. [John W. Turner], Chief of Staff: I saw no reason why I should not carry out the major-general's expressed desire--that is, to push on to the Suwannee [River], and, by cutting that bridge, hinder any strong occupation of West Florida by the enemy.... I did not consider that I was committing any violation of the general plan of operations, nor do I believe so now. If the troops are under my command and are expected to be active against the enemy, I presume the major-general commanding has sufficient confidence in my judgment to leave such points somewhat to my decision.... I earnestly request that some latitude may be allowed me in such matters, and that I be not so bound by instructions concerning matters that can be perfectly originated and carried out here, by the proper officers, that I must be placed in the unpleasant position of disobeying them outright, or of doing what my experience and judgment tell me clearly is not to be approved by the posture of affairs. And I am sure that I desire no more than is naturally to be claimed by any office, of my rank and experience. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
T. SEYMOUR, Brigadier-General.
Casualties at Okolona, Mississippi:
U.S.: 388 (54 killed, 179 wounded, 155 missing/captured)
C.S.: 110 (25 killed, 75 wounded, 10 missing/captured)
Other Union activity reported on this date:
1. Upon receiving “reliable information” that two C.S. division have been dispatched to Alabama, U.S. Grant orders an advance toward Dalton, Georgia.
2. F.H. Warren, commanding at Indianola, Texas, reports “25 mounted infantrymen…driving cattle [were surrounded] by well-armed and well-mounted cavalry of the enemy.” Fourteen men are captured.
3. Colonel S.G. Hicks, 40th Illinois, reports “guerrillas” entered Mayfield, Kentucky, killed “a good Union man,” took another prisoner, and “robbed three stores.”
4. Colonel W.B. Stokes, 5th Tennessee (U.S.) Cavalry, reports a skirmish on Calfkiller, Creek, Tennessee. Two companies were attacked by “irregulars,” surrounded, and “overwhelmed.”
Other Confederate activity reported on this date:
1. R.E. Colston reports a skirmish on Whitemarsh Island, Georgia. He writes: “The enemy lost several men killed or wounded, but they carried them off with them.”
2. W.E. Jones reports a series of skirmishes at Gibson’s and Wyerman’s Mills on Indian Creek, Virginia. He writes, “The First Battalion, 11th Tennessee (U.S.) Cavalry...was surprised..., entirely surrounded, and together with an infantry company…, captured.”
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