ORs: (CS) Gen. K. Smith to President Davis - July 14, 1862

War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies
Series 1, Volume 16, Part 2, Page 726

MONTYALE, TENN.,
July 14, 1862.

His Excellency JEFFERSON DAVIS,
President Confederate States of America:

Mr. PRESIDENT:
I inclose you the Knoxville Register of the 13th. The two articles marked in pencil, if you can spare the time, I wish you would read. The accompanying letter* I have just sent to the editor of the Register, with the request that he publish it in the next edition of his paper. This is the first, and I hope the last, time I shall be forced to appear in the columns of a paper. I cannot discover that any troops have passed through Nashville on their way north. Buell’s corps is massed between Huntsville and Chattanooga. Morgan hugs the Cumberland Mountains close, and gives no opportunity for an attack. He will not move from the mountain fastnesses, except in co-operation with Buell. I see by the Northern papers that three divisions of Grant’s army are to operate against East Tennessee in connection with Buell’s corps. This brings an overwhelming force, that cannot be resisted except by Bragg’s co-operation.

Gen. Bragg telegraphed me June 26 that McCown’s division (3,000 effective) would leave that day for Chattanooga, and that he would immediately move on Buell’s rear. McCown arrived at Chattanooga on the 3d instant. Bragg was then at Tupelo; the difficulty of obtaining transportation, I understood, prevented the movement of his army.

I have organized my command into two divisions. General Stevenson, with four brigades of infantry and one of cavalry, occupies the line of the Clinch. His force (10,000 effective) is mobilized, well equipped and efficient. General Stevenson is an officer of worth and merit, and has been a treasure to me in this department.

General Heth, with three brigades of infantry, and General McCown, with two of infantry and one of cavalry (about 10,000 men), hold Chattanooga and its approaches. Colonel Morgan was sent by me with 1,300 cavalry into Kentucky; the disorders in that State are extremely propitious for his operations. Colonel Forrest, with three regiments of cavalry, was sent into Middle Tennessee. He will, I trust, delay Buell’s movement till Bragg’s columns make their appearance. The Federal armies will not, I think, attempt any movement south this summer. They will concentrate all their strength on East Tennessee, and with it as a base and its resources at their disposal will be prepared for a vigorous campaign south next fall.

I came here a few days since convalescing from an attack of typhoid fever and weak and debilitated from its results. I have recovered rapidly, and in a few days will be ready for active service. With the highest regard and respect, I remain, yours,

E. KIRBY SMITH,
Major-General, Commanding

*Not found

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