The AOAR

[samgrant]

Something new! The AOAR.

In July of 1864 Grant designated a new command, The "Armies Operating Against Richmond", with Marsena R. Patrick assigned to the post of Provost Marshall.

This was apparently an umbrella organization which included the Army of the Potomac and the Army of the James based at City Point for military intellegence purposes involving the Bureau of Military Intelligance (BMI), under George H. Sharpe. Meade felt this infriged upon his authority and oppossed it. He wanted all intelligence delivered to himself.

Grant compromised so that most of the scouts reported to the AOP, but at City Point, with Grant, Sharpe would coordinate all BMI operations, and serve as the central information clearing house.

- Grant's Secret Service by William B. Feis

also refered to in: The Secret War for the Union: The Untold Story of Military Intelligence in the Civil War by Edwin C. Fishel


In the ORs and elsewhere one will find references to "the armies operating against Richmond" like that in the lower case, but seldom as "The Armies Operating Against Richmond".

Wonder if that had to do with the secretive nature of this organization?

Any one have anything to add?

For info on the BMI, see my post:

http://civilwartalk.com/forums/showt...t=intelligence