ORs: (CS) Report from Gen. Polk - October 19, 1862

War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies
Series 1, Volume 16, Part 2, Page 963-4

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Cumberland Ford, Tenn.,
October 19, 1862—12 p. m.

General BRAXTON BRAGG,
Commanding Department No. 2:

GENERAL:
I arrived at this point after dark this evening.’ On the morning of the 17th, the day you left London, I ordered one brigade to bait at Little RockCastle, and another at Pitman’s. 6 miles in advance, for the support of the cavalry engaged in resisting the enemy’s advance upon London. 1 also ordered the rest of the army to halt for twenty-four honrs—Cheatham’s wing at Big Laurel and Hardee’s at Barboursville. These orders were given in consequence of information from General E. K. Smith to the effect that he could not retire his army without the protection and support of mine. I held the position between Wild Cat and Little RockCastle, and aided in holding that between Wild Cat and Mershon’s Cross-Roads until General Smith’s column had come up to the latter place and passed into, the road indicated for him by you, leading from that point to Flat Lick. General MeCown’s forces having been ordered to proceed along the Big Hill road as far as to Pitman’s were halted there and required to furnish two brigades to replace those of the Army of the Mississippi posted at that point and at Little Rockcastle. The brigades relieved were ordered to join their commands at Big Laurel and both of the wings of this army ordered to resume the line of march. General McCown was ordered by me to fall back on this road, following the Army of the Mississippi, and Colonel Wheeler directed to cover his rear. Colonel Wharton, on arriving at Big Laurel, was directed to take the left and aid in protecting the rear of General E. K. Smith’s column, retiring by the way of the Raccoon Shoot road. I remained at London until all of these dispositions were completed, and have been in constant communication with the rear and with General E. K. Smith ever since.

I am pleased to say that thus far everything has been well secured and is moving forward satisfactorily. All of the trains of the Army of the Mississippi have either passed this point or are encamped here with me to-night. General ilardee, with his wing, troops and trains, will encamp at the Gap to-night. General Cheatham’s troops, with the exception of two brigades forming the rear guard, are encamped around me here. Those brigades are a short distance in the rear. A large number of General Smith’s wagons have also passed this point. General Smith himself came forward to-day and met me shortly after I reached Flat Lick. The rear of his army, he informs me, under the command of General Stevenson, will be at Flat Lick on to-morrow night, the whole of his trains being in advance of his column. At Flat Lick the troops under General McCown will join him, and the whole column (mine and his) will be covered at that point by Wharton and Wheeler, which will secure the safe retirement of both armies with all their trains. By General Smith I am informed Morgan’s cavalry was detached by him to make a circuit of the enemy to cut off his trains and harass his rear. Buford’s cavalry being raw I have been unwilling to trust them. Ashby’s command was too small to do the work required, and I deemed it safest therefore to direct Wheeler with Wharton to cover and bring up the whole of the rear. General Smith will direct Morgan armd Buferd to performn the duty you have assigned them when lie shall have passed through the Gap. He will leave a force to hold possession of time Gap when he shall have passed his army through it.

Thus far I have managed to secure forage for the Army of the Missisippi, ad rations, includllng bread, for the men, and with the assistance of what I am informed will be found at the Gap, will continue to do so until we reach the railroad. I am taking with me between 1,500 and 2,000 head of cattle through the Gap. General Smith’s army has suffered some inconvenience from being separated from its trains but has had sufficient mount of forage and plenty of beet He has ordered his supply train to be halted, and thinks he will find in it and in the trains that are to meet us at the Gap a sufficient amount of flour to serve him. Your notes of this date from the Gap are received. The Munfordville battery will be left at the Gap as directed, and your orders with regard to the routes to be pursued by the left ad right wings of the Army of the Mississippi and its wagon trains shall be complied with also your wishes in regard to the sick ad wounded at the Gap. Everything being nowsecured to the rear I will move to the front in the morning, and will proceed from the Gap on the road to be pursued by the right wing to Knoxville,wherel shall be early on the morning of the 21st instant.

I have the honor to be, general, very respectfully, your obedient

L. POLK,
Major-General, Commanding