ORs: (US) Report of Brig. Gen. Thomas J. Wood, of skirmish at Short Mountain Crossroads

War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies
Series 1, Volume 16, Part 1, Page 902

HEADQUARTERS SIXTH DIVISION,
August 31, 1862.

MAJOR:
The more information I obtain the more certain I am that an attempt ought to be made to cut up, .capture, or at all events prevent Forrest from joining Bragg. I am still more certain that the object of Forrest’s movement down this way was to cross the mountains and effect a junction with Bragg, and having been disappointed in this movement, he will attempt to effect the same purpose by the way of Sparta and down the Sequatchie Valley. The junction should by all means be prevented, as Forrest’s command would be of the greatest advantage to Bragg in his advance. That the advance will be made sooner or later I am quite certain. The attempt will be made to sweep everything to Nashville, retake it, and then invade Kentucky. I have got hold of some information to-day on this point. I think General Thomas is mistaken in not believing Bragg to be on this side of the Tennessee River. I am satisfied the advance will be made by one of two roads—by the road by which I went out the other day, the Hills’ Trace road to Dunlap, or up the valley and around by Sparta, or perhaps by both roads at once. The general, I think, ought to have both roads watched clear to the other side of the mountains.

I sent out a party of cavalry this morning beyond where my people encountered Forrest yesterday evening, which has just returned, with information that as late as 11 o’clock to-day Forrest, with the bulk of his command, was near to Short Mountain. I understand Short Mountain is near and a little to the right of the McMinnville and Lebanon road. Cannot the general send out a force there to rout him out? He probably halted there to collect his scattered forces.

Respectfully,

TH. J. WOOD,
Commanding.

Major FLYNT,
Assistant-Adjutant General.