ORs: (US) Gen. O. M. Mitchel to Gen. D. C. Buell

War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies
Series 1, Volume 16, Part 2, Page 58

HUNTSVILLE,
June 24, 1862.

General BUELL:
We still hold our own near Jasper, on the other side of Battle Creek. A large force of the enemy’s cavalry entered Jasper on the 21st, expecting to meet there seven or eight regiments of their infantry, with artillery, which were to have crossed at iRankin’s Ferry, opposite the mouth of the Sequatchie, but did not cross for some reason unknown to us. The rebel cavalry fell back and our scouts penetrated to Jasper and beyond. I have ordered Colonel Sill to strengthen his position on Battle Creek, which is by nature very strong. His right rests on the river Tennessee and his front Battle Creek, which cannot be forded, while his left rests on the mountains. The Eighteenth Ohio left this morning at 6 by rail for Stevenson. The Nineteenth Illinois and half Simonson’s battery will probably reach Bellefonte this evening. On to-morrow General Negley’s force will begin to reach Elk River, so we are doing what we can. I have supposed it possible the enemy’s cavalry crossing opposite Chattanooga might pass the mountains to McMinnville for a raid on Wartrace and Murfreesborongh. I have directed the commanding officer to be ready.

Please give me all the notice you can, that we may be ready to transport your troops.

O. M. MITCHEL,
Major-General.