ORs: (US) Maj.-Gen. D. C. Buell to Gen. Nelson - July 29, 1862

War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies
Series 1, Volume 16, Part 2, Page 226

HEADQUARTERS,
Huntsville, Jury 29, 1862.

General NELSON,
Murfreesborough:

My first orders contemplated only such arrangements as were necessary to meet the exigency then existing about Nashville and Murfreesborough, and supposed that you would only use the troops that were near at hand, without removing those more distant, which were necessary for the security of other points. At the same time I gave orders for concentrating a larger force in that quarter to provide more permanently for the future. I supposed that my dispatches had indicated this to you. My purpose is to put two brigades and two regiments of cavalry at McMinnville under your immediate command, with two brigades and at least two regiments of cavalry in reserve at Murfreesborough, the whole subject to your orders. This arrangement will I hope render our roads and Nashville comparatively safe, with small bridge guards protected by stockades. I hoped that General Johnson would be at Murfreesborough yesterday in time to give you a second cavalry regiment to move with you on McMinnville, and I understood you would march yesterday. What prevented? It is very important that that point should be occupied at once. If you think it necessary take two brigades with you now. Your third brigade will commence moving to-morrow and will all concentrate at Murfreesborough in a few days. Should it be necessary I will re-enforce you at McMinnville by one of Wood’s brigades, but it is desirable not to send a larger force there at present if it can be avoided. The information I have indicates that a considerable force will soon be at Chattanooga, with the probable intention of assuming the offensive. Bragg and Price are both spoken of as coming on. We must be prepared. The delay in operating our roads and establishing road guards with suitable stockades worries me exceedingly.

D. C. BUELL.