gary
Captain
- Joined
- Feb 20, 2005
I found something in the O.R. where Forrest attempted to sack John Chalmers and sent him to Polk for reassignment. He took Chalmers's only tent and gave it to his brother. Chalmers complained. Polk reinstated Chalmers to his command. So, why the dislike?
Chalmers was not in favor with Forrest and Forrest wanted him sacked. O.R. Series I, Vol. 32, part III, pages 609-610. Note, in the interim, Chalmers’s Division remained with Forrest and under command of Col. McCulloch.
HEADQUARTERS FORREST'S CAVALRY DEPARTMENT,
Columbus, March 10, 1864.
Col. T. M. JACK,
Assistant Adjutant-General :
COLONEL: I have the honor respectfully to forward you a copy of letter received from Brig. Gen. James R. Chalmers, and to state that I have relieved him from duty with my command and ordered him to report to the lieutenant-general commanding for assignment. I am satisfied that I have not and shall not receive the co-operation of Brigadier-General Chalmers, and that matters of the smallest moment will continue, as they have heretofore done, to be a source of annoyance to myself and detrimental to the service, and, holding myself responsible to the proper authority for all orders I have or may hereafter issue, I deem it both necessary and beneficial that we should separate.
Hoping that the lieutenant-general commanding may be able to place Brigadier-General Chalmers in a position more congenial to his taste and wishes than the one he now occupies, I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
N. B. FORREST,
Major-General.
Like a bad penny, Chalmers came back to Forrest by order of General Polk. When Chalmers was sent away, Forrest took his only tent. O.R. Series I, Vol. 32, part III, page 648.
SPECIAL ORDERS No. 77.
HDQRS. DEPT. OF ALA., MISS., AND E. LA.,
Demopolis, Ala., March 17, 1864.
* * * * * * * * * *
IV. Brig. Gen. James R. Chalmers will resume command of his division and report to Maj. Gen. N. B. Forrest, commanding, &c.
By command of Lieutenant-General Polk:
THOS. M. JACK,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
Chalmers was not in favor with Forrest and Forrest wanted him sacked. O.R. Series I, Vol. 32, part III, pages 609-610. Note, in the interim, Chalmers’s Division remained with Forrest and under command of Col. McCulloch.
HEADQUARTERS FORREST'S CAVALRY DEPARTMENT,
Columbus, March 10, 1864.
Col. T. M. JACK,
Assistant Adjutant-General :
COLONEL: I have the honor respectfully to forward you a copy of letter received from Brig. Gen. James R. Chalmers, and to state that I have relieved him from duty with my command and ordered him to report to the lieutenant-general commanding for assignment. I am satisfied that I have not and shall not receive the co-operation of Brigadier-General Chalmers, and that matters of the smallest moment will continue, as they have heretofore done, to be a source of annoyance to myself and detrimental to the service, and, holding myself responsible to the proper authority for all orders I have or may hereafter issue, I deem it both necessary and beneficial that we should separate.
Hoping that the lieutenant-general commanding may be able to place Brigadier-General Chalmers in a position more congenial to his taste and wishes than the one he now occupies, I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
N. B. FORREST,
Major-General.
Like a bad penny, Chalmers came back to Forrest by order of General Polk. When Chalmers was sent away, Forrest took his only tent. O.R. Series I, Vol. 32, part III, page 648.
SPECIAL ORDERS No. 77.
HDQRS. DEPT. OF ALA., MISS., AND E. LA.,
Demopolis, Ala., March 17, 1864.
* * * * * * * * * *
IV. Brig. Gen. James R. Chalmers will resume command of his division and report to Maj. Gen. N. B. Forrest, commanding, &c.
By command of Lieutenant-General Polk:
THOS. M. JACK,
Assistant Adjutant-General.