ORs: (US) Orders General Wheeler - April 26, 1863

War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies
Series 1, Volume 23, Part 2, Page 794-5

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF TENNESSEE,
Tullahoma,
April 26, 1863.

Maj. Gen. JOSEPH WHEELER, Commanding Cavalry Corps:

GENERAL:
The following are the orders of General Bragg:

Major-General Wheeler must guard the right flank of the army against all movements of the enemy. To do this, he must establish a cordon connecting on the left with that of Brigadier-General Martin, now established. If, as it is reported and believed, the country south of Alexandria will not subsist the whole body of his cavalry, or a force sufficient to resist and drive back heavy columns penetrating the cordon, the main body must of necessity be sent far enough north to procure subsistence, and a force (at least 500 men) established as guards upon the line from Martin’s right. Arrangements the most complete must be made that the commandant of the line and the commandant of each guard shall communicate instantly to the main body of Wheeler’s corps and to the cavalry on their right and left any movement of the enemy. It is hoped that any such movement promptly communicated will then be checked by the prompt movement of the main body on the enemy’s rear. A perfect acquaintance with the roads on the part of the general, and the utmost vigilance on the part of the troops forming the cordon, will alone enable General Wheeler to carry this plan into successful execution. The vigilance of his guards must be secured by the daily inspection of staff officers sent along the line.

If forage cannot be had on the line for the troops in front of McMinnville, and General Wheeler cannot obtain it from the right, it must be procured by rail from this place.

The headquarters of the general should be so placed that he can receive the earliest information and dispatch his orders most promptly.

There is danger of the enemy, by such a movement as that made on the 21st, prosecuted with a little more energy and determination, reach-ing the railroad to Bridgeport. This would be so serious a disaster that the general’s attention is called to it, and he is asked to take all possible security against it.

I am, sir, very respectfully, &c.,

W. W. MACKALL,
Chief of Staff.