Aot - 1865

[larry_cockerham]

January 8, 1865

No orders of importance issued with reference to further movements.

January 9, 1865

Stewart's corps arrived at Tupelo and went into camp. The Union Cavalry was reported at Eastport, Mississippi. Time was running out for the Army of Tennessee in Mississippi. Thomas and Wilson were still on the trail.

MONTGOMERY, January 9, 1865.

President JEFFERSON DAVIS:

I will leave as soon as practicable for Hood's army, and will send to Hardee's assistance all troops which can be spared. Condition of common roads and breaks in railroads will, however, delay their arrival. Should circumstances permit I will return with them.

G. T. BEAUREGARD,
General.

Seems to me Beauregard and Davis tried to run a war by remote control, with the results that might be expected from poor management and minimal logistical support. Gentlemen and Ladies, what do YOU think?

[richard]

I just love what the National Geographic Society said about the AOT in there book on the War.

"The Army of Tennessee would never fight again" Page 340
"Eyewitness to the Civil War"

I guess that they stopped researching before Hood crossed the Tennessee River.

[johan_steele]

Never fight again... four major engagements and inumerable smaller ones. Proof the National Geographic doesn't know its... umm you get my point.

Larry another outstanding thread. When you gonna put her together in book format?

[ole]

In "One Road; Two Armies," Larry does have a real book. I don't know of another that traces the niggly little details of Hood's advance and retreat. He needs a local publisher who will fork over the geetas to put a skilled editor on the project. The result will be a book I'd buy in a New York minute.

ole

[larry_cockerham]

There's still a bunch of work needed to tell the story. I do, however, greatly appreciate the kind comments.

January 10, 1865

Cheatham's corps ordered to move from Corinth to Tupelo.

From the history of the 11th Tennessee Infantry:

As the ghost of the Army of Tennessee withdrew from the Volunteer State, the brigade was within a few miles of Corinth, Mississippi by January 4. By January 10, the army had moved through Corinth and had established camp at Tupelo. When Hood's army arrived in Tupelo on Jan. 10, 1865, there were fewer than 15,000 infantry. On the 15th, Hood was relieved of command and replaced by Gen. Joseph E. Johnston.” [ Not exactly true, it was Lt. Gen. Richard Taylor on Jan 22. Johnston returned Feb 22, 1865. ]

P.G.T. Beauregard retained command in Hood’s absence. Taylor was to remain with Forrest in defense of Alabama and Mississippi.

[larry_cockerham]

January 11, 1865 No orders of importance.

January 12, 1865 Cheatham's corps arrived at Tupelo. All stores reported moved away from Corinth to Tupelo.

January 13, 1865 No orders of importance.

From the History of the 33rd Mississippi:

On 13 Jan 1865 the men moved the camp 3 to 4 miles south and camped near the railroad at Verona, Mississippi. It had been raining and sleeting almost constantly for several days. The remainder of January, 1865, was spent moving from Verona to Okolona to West Point, and then to *******n.

The weather was no friend to the AOT, though conditions were just as severe to Wilson's forming cavalry a few miles to the northeast where they camped along the Tennessee River near Gravelly Springs. Rest was needed by all; the war wasn't quite over.

[ole]

The weather was no friend to the AOT, though conditions were just as severe to Wilson's forming cavalry a few miles to the northeast where they camped along the Tennessee River near Gravelly Springs. Rest was needed by all; the war wasn't quite over.

Have been religiously following your narrative, Larry. Thank you. But can't resist mentioning that Wilson's boys did have food, shoes, warm clothes and tents. Yeah. You and I wouldn't begin to think of camping out in December under any circumstances -- even with Arctic gear and MREs. Kinda makes one understand and appreciate the soldier, doesn't it.

ole

[richard]

The Union camps at Waterloo and Gravely Springs had a lot to be desired. Yes, they had wooden structures to bunk down in and they did have some heat. They still had tons of mud to contend with. The horses had very little food as the area was poor and had been ravished by both army's. Flood waters had swept away or destroyed most of the corn and hay that had been stockpiled for them near the camps. The troops were at times down to one quarter ration of parched corn a day, the remaining going to the horses.

[PINCKNEYUSMCRET]

As my ole Company Commander said, "War is a miserable business". While I admire the courage of both the blue and the gray. Those AOT boys were some stubborn folks hanging on to the end. When my time comes I would like to chat with those warriors.

Pinckney

[larry_cockerham]

January 14, 1865

General Beauregard arrived at Tupelo, on visit to the army, late at night. Doubtless he was working up the courage to bring the hammer down on Hood.

Union Cavalry under General James Wilson arrived at Gravelly Springs, Alabama this same day. The 5th Division, 1st Brigade US moved from Waterloo, AL to Gravelly Springs, AL and remained there during the month.

[larry_cockerham]

January 15, 1865

A system for furloughing the Confederate troops was established. (See General Orders, No. 1, 1865, and circular letter to corps commanders, field dispatches, N. 542.) On this day Samuel Robinson of the 63rd Virginia wrote a letter to his wife from Tupelo, Mississippi.

[larry_cockerham]

January 16, 1865 .

The army including Lee’s Corps still in same camp at and near Tupelo. Whit Parker must have been there, a young man of nineteen years still suffering mightily from the soreness of the schrapnel which had been removed from his legs and thighs. His youth doubtless helped him move about better than an older man might have fared. Still he was about six hundred miles from his native Virginia. The Tennessee River was beautiful, but it didn't compare to the Holston that he called home. Rest was the most precious gift the 63rd Virginia could have received at this time, aside from a ticket home. The war was to continue. Survival was the order of the day.

[larry_cockerham]

January 17,1865 (Tuesday)

General Beauregard arrives in Tupelo with instructions, from Secretary Seddon, to grant General Hood's request to be relieved of command and to send as many troops "as may be spared" to Augusta, Georgia. Beauregard immediately approved a "judicious system of furloughs" for the men in Hood's army "to prevent disorder and desertion in [the] Army of Tennessee." John Bell Hood sends two dispatches to President Davis, one offering "to command a corps or division," and the second requesting that he be assigned "west of the Mississippi River." According to Hood, "I think I can be of more service there than east of the river."

Although Beauregard is satisfied that the army "requires immediate reorganization and consolidation" and believes that "to divide this small army at this juncture to re-enforce General Hardee would expose to capture Mobile, Demopolis, Selma, Montgomery, and all the rich valley of the Alabama River," he organizes the "first shipment of about 8,000 troops" for the long and arduous train ride to Georgia.

[larry_cockerham]

General Beauregard then wrote the following response:

TUPELO, January 17, 1865. (Received 3 o'clock 24th.)
- Hon. J. A. SEDDON, Secretary of War:

Telegram of the 15th instant received. I will leave for Georgia and South Carolina soon as practicable after having placed General Taylor in command of the Army of Tennessee, and take, after conference with him, as many troops as can be spared from here.

G. T. BEAUREGARD

The move was on. One more attempt to stop Sherman.

[larry_cockerham]

Where were the 63rd and 54th Virginia in this logistical nightmare attempting to move 18,000 soldiers east at short notice?

Calvin Livesay’s diary describes a train ride south. Apparently he and his immediate comrades had been separated from the main body of the regiment. If Whitfield Parker was an ineffective at that time, he would have stayed with the main wagon train and would have perhaps have required assistance in moving about. Placing these men on trains would have been the logical move. I suspect the 54th and 63rd Regiments went with the main body. More study will hopefully reveal the order the Corps were transported.

[larry_cockerham]

Meanwhile the Union Army is on the move in Georgia:

"Cump" Sherman gives instructions to General Howard regarding the next phase of their campaign. "As soon as possible we will cast off, and then for another cruise that will, in my judgment, do more to bring matters to a crisis than the last. Choose the best points you can find to land stores for Pocotaligo. Don't cross the Salkehatchie [River], but hold all the ground up to it, as though we intended to break across. The next movement I want the enemy to feel is from the left flank."

General Hardee informs President Davis of the latest movements of Sherman's army. "Enemy seems to be concentrating at Pocotaligo. A force reported to be moving up the Coosawhatchie." Hardee continues, "Deserters from the enemy concur in stating that the force which crossed at Port Royal Ferry, and which is now [in] vicinity of Pocotaligo, consists of Fifteenth and Seventeenth Army Corps; also that their destination is Charleston."

[larry_cockerham]

HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS,
Near Steep Bottom Church, January 17, 1865--9.15 a.m.
General L. McLAWS, Commanding, near Salkehatchie Station:

- GENERAL: There were captured..., near Station No. O, three Yankee prisoners who belong to the Eighteenth Missouri Regiment, Sheldon's brigade, Mower's [division], Seventeenth Corps. They state that the Seventeenth Corps was near Station No. 6, and that the Fifteenth...is at Beaufort....They do not know the amount of artillery or number of wagons with them, but say their wagon train is small; say the talk in camp is that Charleston is their destination....They say the Fourth [Fourteenth] and Twentieth Corps were to march from Savannah to Charleston by the line of the railroad. A scouting party of about fifty men came up a short distance this side of Gillisonville yesterday, and was driven back toward Grahamville....

Respectfully, general, your obedient servant,
J. WHEELER, Major-General.

[larry_cockerham]

January 18, 1865

On this day Gen. Sherman turned over the city pf Savannah to Gen. John G. Foster who had been in command on the coast and issued orders for the movement of his whole army, at this time numbering about 65,000 men. The right wing was at Pocotaglio about 45 miles north of Savannah and the left wing at Robertsville, twenty miles west of Pocotaglio. The weather and the complexity of the move caused some delay.

[larry_cockerham]

January 21, 1865 in the Confederate Congress:

In joint committee, January 9, 1865.

Resoled, That the chairman of the committee communicate to the President of the Confederate States a copy of the joint resolution under which the committee have been appointed, and to request respectfully on behalf of the joint committee an interview upon the subject thereof at this earliest convenience.

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION.

Resolved (the House of Representatives concurring), That if the President will appoint General J. E. Johnson to the command of the Army of Tennessee, it will, in the opinion of the Congress of the Confederate States, be hailed with joy by the army and will receive the approval of the country.
[Indorsements.]

A concurrent resolution relative to the assignment of General Joseph E. Johnston.

SENATE, January 16, 1865.
Passed the Senate.
JAMES H. NASH,
Secretary.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, January 18, 1865.
Considered and passed.
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF THE SENATE, C. S. A., January 21, 1865.
I do hereby certify that this resolution originated in the Senate; and that the within is a true copy of the same as finally passed by the two houses of Congress.

JAMES H. NASH,
Secretary.

[larry_cockerham]

January 21, 1865 (Saturday) More Union communication:

General Grant informs "Cump" Sherman that, instead of having General Thomas "make a campaign into the heart of Alabama," as Sherman has suggested, he has transferred Schofield's corps to Virginia. "The advance, 6,000, will reach seaboard by the 23d, the remainder following as rapidly as railroad transportation can be procured from Cincinnati. The corps numbers over 21,000 men." Grant explains he reasons; "I was induced to do this because I did not believe Thomas could possibly be got off before spring. His pursuit of Hood indicated a sluggishness that satisfied me that he would never do to conduct one of your campaigns."

[larry_cockerham]

WASHINGTON, D. C., January 21, 1865. (Received 29th.) -
Maj. Gen. W. T. SHERMAN, Commanding Military Division of the Mississippi:

When Hood had crossed the Tennessee, and those in pursuit had reached it, Thomas had not much more than half crossed the State, from whence he returned to Nashville to take steamer for Eastport. He is possessed of excellent judgment, great coolness, and honesty, but he is not good on a pursuit. He also reported his troops fagged, and that it was necessary to equip up....Canby has been ordered to act offensively from the sea coast to the interior toward Montgomery and Selma....In the meantime should you be brought to a halt anywhere, I can send two corps of 30,000 effective men to your support from the troops about Richmond. To résumé: Canby is ordered to operate to the interior from the gulf. A. J. Smith may go from the north, but I think it doubtful. A force of 28,000 or 30,000 men will co-operate with you from New Berne or Wilmington, or both. You can call for re-enforcements. This will be handed to you by Captain Hudson of my staff, who will return with any message you may have for me. If there is anything I can do for you in the way of having supplies on shipboard at any point on the sea coast ready for you let me know it.

U.S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General.

[larry_cockerham]

The recent rainy weather in South Carolina and Georgia has slowed Sherman's preparations for embarking on his new campaign. He writes to Admiral Porter, "The weather has been villainous, and all the country is under water, and retards me much. It may be some days yet before I can cast off, as the roads are under water, and my men are not exactly amphibious yet, nor the mules either." However, Sherman remains optimistic. "I shall spare no efforts to be off, and the foul weather of January may be a guarantee for better in February and March." Sherman also gives Porter his opinion of Benjamin Butler. "The best part of the taking of Fort Fisher was the killing of Butler. He has no blood on his skirts, and, judging from the past, it will be long before his blood stains anything. His solicitude for the blood of his men is a moonshine." In addition, Sherman sends a letter to General Grant promising to meet him in Virginia in "April or May." Sherman writes, "I have turned over everything to General Foster, so that nothing now hinders me but water....When I am at Goldsborough and move against Raleigh, Lee will be forced to divide his command or give up Richmond."

[larry_cockerham]

HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI, In the Field, Savannah, January 21, 1865. - Lieut. Gen. U.S. GRANT, City-Point, Va. - GENERAL: I have been told that Congress meditates a bill to make another lieutenant-general for me. I have written to John Sherman to stop it, if it is designed for me. It would be mischievous, for there are enough rascals who would try to sow differences between us whereas you and I now are in perfect understanding. I would rather have you in command than anybody else for you are fair, honest, and have at heart the same purpose that should animate all. I should emphatically decline any commission calculated to bring us into rivalry....I doubt if men in Congress fully realize that you and I are honest in our professions of want of ambition. I know I feel none, and to-day will gladly surrender my position and influence to any other who is better able to wield the power. The flurry attending my recent success will soon blow over, and give place to new developments....I am, truly, yours, W. T. SHERMAN, Major-General

[larry_cockerham]

It was about this date that Generals Hatch, Croxton and Hammond arrived shortly after Wilson at Gravelly Springs, Alabama. Watkins and La Grange arrived the next day. This was the beginning of the almost two-month training period for Wilson’s forming Cavalry that was to battle Forrest at Selma, Alabama on April 2. As the 13,000 plus newly armed and outfitted cavalry was being assembled, log cantonments (cabins) were crafted from the surrounding Alabama woods. Intensive training was to follow prior to the movement south. James Patterson Cockerham and the 10th Tennessee remained in western Tennessee. The war, for him at least, was over.

[larry_cockerham]

Some 27,000 men assembled under Wilson between Waterloo and Gravelly Springs. There were mounts available for 17,000 men, leaving 10,000 still dismounted.

According to Donn Piatt and Henry Van Boynton in their General George Thomas, A Critical Biography,

“Hatch’s entire Division composed of veterans of the highest quality from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri and Tennessee [at least two of these men, John Q.A. Bryant and James Patterson Cockerham were from North Carolina, serving in the 10th Tennessee] voluntarily gave up their horses and arms in order that they might be used to eke out the supply of other divisions.” [The 10th Tennessee had participated heavily in the pursuit of the AOT from Nashville and after several months prior service, were well overdue a rest period.] Arrangements were made to remount and rearm their splendid Division, but their was no chance of getting this done in time to enable it to participate in the earlier stages of the final campaign, but orders were left for it to take the field and join the corps at the earliest possible day wherever it might be. Meanwhile, it was to continue to camp at Chickasaw and keep watch and ward as best it might over Northern Mississippi and West Tennessee.” James Patterson Cockerham served out the remainder of the war in West Tennessee, largely on guard duty.