ORs: (CS) Report of Colonel Wharton - October 5, 1862

War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies
Series 1, Volume 16, Part 2, Page 912

FREDERICKTOWN, Ky.,
October 5, 1862—11.30 a. m.

Maj. Gen. LEONIDAS POLK,
Commanding Army of the Mississippi:

GENERAL:
I dispatched you at 1 a. in. this morning. Nothing from the enemy save that a lieutenant and 10 men (whom I had near Bloomfield last night) report the enemy moving from Bloomfield to Bardstown. The lieutenant and party are still near Bloomfield. General Hardee has ordered me to defend this road until his column passes through Springfield. One of my scouts has just returned and reports the rear of General Hardee’s command 6 miles from Springfield and that Colonel Wheeler was 1 1/2 miles in the rear.

In your dispatch of last night you use the following language:

On your arrival at Springfield you will establish line of pickets out to Lebanon for the purpose of picketing said road to that place (Lebanon), thence picket the road along toward Danville from Lebanon, so as to fence off the enemy’s cavalry from our right flank. At Lebanon, on to-morrow evening, you will find Wade’s regiment of cavalry and your two companies that were sent to Columbia. You will assume command of these. Colonel Wheeler has instructions to protect the rear and left flank.

Do you mean for me to march with my whole command via Lebanon to Danville, picketing the roads mentioned in your dispatch?

Most respectfully, your obedient servant,

JNO. A. WHARTON,
Colonel, Commanding Cavalry Brigade.