Decisions at Raymond Part 3

[tony_gunter]

Pemberton is convinced that Grant was aiming at the railroad bridge, and orders the construction of fortifications at that point. As the works neared completion, Bowen points out that the road nexus at Edwards would allow Grant to turn the position over any of a number of fords. Pemberton orders Bowen to Edwards and replaces his men at the Big Black Bridge. Bowen scrambles to create a fortified position at Edwards.

There is another road nexus 15 miles east at Raymond. Pemberton orders Wirt Adams to take command of all cavalry and watch the roads to both positions.

The available cavalry in the area:

Wirt Adams' Regiment
20th Mississippi Regiment Mounted Infantry (8 companies?)
4th Mississippi Regiment Mounted Infantry (4 companies?)
1st Tennessee Partisans

For whatever reason, Wirt Adams only assumes command of the first two.

Bowen, in a panic, orders Adams to move with his entire command to Edwards. Pemberton stresses to Adams that all of the roads must be covered, Gregg's Brigade is moving to Raymond, and Gregg must be kept informed of any approach of the enemy.

However, Adams is already engaged with cavalry on all roads south of Edwards. He leaves one squadron to watch the roads southeast of Raymond until Gregg arrives, at which point they are to return to the main body. Eventually, Wirt Adams detects Sherman's move towards Dillon's Plantation, near which is a crossroads that threatens both Edwards (10 miles) and Raymond (7 miles). Adams moves with his entire force to oppose this column of troops, unaware that McPherson is moving behind him toward Raymond.

Could the Confederate dispositions have been better chosen? Could Pemberton have managed the dispositions better in person than his headquarters in Vicksburg? What was the 4th Mississippi mounted doing during all of this? Did Adams neglect to assume command of the 1st Tennessee Partisans because they were irregulars?

 

[RedRover]

Could the Confederate dispositions have been better chosen? Could Pemberton have managed the dispositions better in person than his headquarters in Vicksburg? What was the 4th Mississippi mounted doing during all of this? Did Adams neglect to assume command of the 1st Tennessee Partisans because they were irregulars?

I notice in the initial order, Wirt was to assume command of the cavalry AT Edward's on the 11th of May:

Regarding the 4th Mississippi Cavalry, at least two companies were at Brookhaven by May 5; about 30 miles south of Crystal Springs along the railroad:

Col. Richardson, commanding the cavalry above, was the commanding officer of the 1st Tennessee Partisan Rangers. Up to March, he was organizing fifteen companies (!) in Tennessee, and was reporting to Gen. Pemberton. Efforts to embody the regiment failed, as they were skirmishing with and beset by federal troops, and the officers disbanded the commands in April, 1863, with Col. Richardson reportedly joining Gen. Pembertons' army...

 

[13 IL Cav & 64 GA Inf]

Pemberton is convinced that Grant was aiming at the railroad bridge, and orders the construction of fortifications at that point. As the works neared completion, Bowen points out that the road nexus at Edwards would allow Grant to turn the position over any of a number of fords. Pemberton orders Bowen to Edwards and replaces his men at the Big Black Bridge. Bowen scrambles to create a fortified position at Edwards.

There is another road nexus 15 miles east at Raymond. Pemberton orders Wirt Adams to take command of all cavalry and watch the roads to both positions.

The available cavalry in the area:

Wirt Adams' Regiment
20th Mississippi Regiment Mounted Infantry (8 companies?)
4th Mississippi Regiment Mounted Infantry (4 companies?)
1st Tennessee Partisans

For whatever reason, Wirt Adams only assumes command of the first two.

Bowen, in a panic, orders Adams to move with his entire command to Edwards. Pemberton stresses to Adams that all of the roads must be covered, Gregg's Brigade is moving to Raymond, and Gregg must be kept informed of any approach of the enemy.

However, Adams is already engaged with cavalry on all roads south of Edwards. He leaves one squadron to watch the roads southeast of Raymond until Gregg arrives, at which point they are to return to the main body. Eventually, Wirt Adams detects Sherman's move towards Dillon's Plantation, near which is a crossroads that threatens both Edwards (10 miles) and Raymond (7 miles). Adams moves with his entire force to oppose this column of troops, unaware that McPherson is moving behind him toward Raymond.

Could the Confederate dispositions have been better chosen? Could Pemberton have managed the dispositions better in person than his headquarters in Vicksburg? What was the 4th Mississippi mounted doing during all of this? Did Adams neglect to assume command of the 1st Tennessee Partisans because they were irregulars?

I don't know, but am interested. Don't have time to do proper research on this, but WILL follow those who do.

 

[tony_gunter]

I notice in the initial order, Wirt was to assume command of the cavalry AT Edward's on the 11th of May:

View attachment 523496


Regarding the 4th Mississippi Cavalry, at least two companies were at Brookhaven by May 5; about 30 miles south of Crystal Springs along the railroad:
View attachment 523497

Col. Richardson, commanding the cavalry above, was the commanding officer of the 1st Tennessee Partisan Rangers. Up to March, he was organizing fifteen companies (!) in Tennessee, and was reporting to Gen. Pemberton. Efforts to embody the regiment failed, as they were skirmishing with and beset by federal troops, and the officers disbanded the commands in April, 1863, with Col. Richardson reportedly joining Gen. Pembertons' army...

View attachment 523498

So the 1st Tennessee Partisans were not at Vicksburg it sounds like. Later during the period of confusion when Adams couldn't quite figure out how to cover all the roads, Richardson is writing Pemberton from Edwards and signs his communications "R V Richardson, Commanding Calvary & etc"

What Cavalry (and etc) was Richardson commanding exactly? Just scouts?

 

[RedRover]

So the 1st Tennessee Partisans were not at Vicksburg it sounds like.

Col. Richardson was present, at the least.

Later during the period of confusion when Adams couldn't quite figure out how to cover all the roads, Richardson is writing Pemberton from Edwards and signs his communications "R V Richardson, Commanding Calvary & etc"

What Cavalry (and etc) was Richardson commanding exactly? Just scouts?

Richardson obviously had no command in these operations other than his assignment by Pemberton to command some cavalry.

For example, during late April, Richardson had commanded a few companies of the 20th MS (mtd.) against Grierson's raiders, between Hazlehurst (south of Crystal Springs on the railroad) and toward Greensburg. On May 3, 1863 Richardson reported to Pemberton the somewhat disorganized condition of the cavalry etc. in that region...

By early June, Richardson was evidently commanding over some cavalry on on the "sea coast"... on the Gulf.

In late 1863 Col. Richardson was dispatched back to West Tennessee to continue attempting to organize the partisan commands, and after Forrest's campaign in that region, he was assigned command of one of Forrest's brigades in early 1864.

 

[tony_gunter]

Col. Richardson was present, at the least.



Richardson obviously had no command in these operations other than his assignment by Pemberton to command some cavalry.

For example, during late April, Richardson had commanded a few companies of the 20th MS (mtd.) against Grierson's raiders, between Hazlehurst (south of Crystal Springs on the railroad) and toward Greensburg. On May 3, 1863 Richardson reported to Pemberton the somewhat disorganized condition of the cavalry etc. in that region...

View attachment 523510




By early June, Richardson was evidently commanding over some cavalry on on the "sea coast"... on the Gulf.

View attachment 523503

View attachment 523505

In late 1863 Col. Richardson was dispatched back to West Tennessee to continue attempting to organize the partisan commands, and after Forrest's campaign in that region, he was assigned command of one of Forrest's brigades in early 1864.

Bizarre that Pemberton is complaining about having no cavalry, then ordering the disbanding of Richardson's force and ordering him under arrest.

Should have just ordered them south.

 

[tony_gunter]

Col. Richardson was present, at the least.



Richardson obviously had no command in these operations other than his assignment by Pemberton to command some cavalry.

For example, during late April, Richardson had commanded a few companies of the 20th MS (mtd.) against Grierson's raiders, between Hazlehurst (south of Crystal Springs on the railroad) and toward Greensburg. On May 3, 1863 Richardson reported to Pemberton the somewhat disorganized condition of the cavalry etc. in that region...

View attachment 523510




By early June, Richardson was evidently commanding over some cavalry on on the "sea coast"... on the Gulf.

View attachment 523503

View attachment 523505

In late 1863 Col. Richardson was dispatched back to West Tennessee to continue attempting to organize the partisan commands, and after Forrest's campaign in that region, he was assigned command of one of Forrest's brigades in early 1864.

It sounds like he was gathering home guard / militia as he went. I wonder if he brought them to Edwards but didn't fall under Adams' command because they were not regulars?

 

[RedRover]

Bizarre that Pemberton is complaining about having no cavalry, then ordering the disbanding of Richardson's force and ordering him under arrest.

Should have just ordered them south.

Pemberton didn't order them disbanded. They had been struggling to organize in West Tennessee, while skirmishing and fighting, practically behind Union lines. They disbanded themselves more or less. The Confederate authorities were demanding they embody for active service, but this wasn't happening. Richmond told Gen. Pemberton to arrest Col. Richardson's activities there, etc. and turn over the regional command to Gen. Chalmers. But in the meantime federal operations ran Richardson out.

Federal troops in West Tennessee and North Mississippi were still dogging some of them through the summer. From the History of the 9th Illinois Cavalry:

In late 1863 Richardson was sent back to West Tennessee to finish the organization previously attempted. He had enrolled, or claimed to have enrolled, something like 2,000 men, when General Forrest and a small force was sent there to get things organized...

But he was rather disappointed to find that Richardson had been able to muster only a fraction of his command...

Forrest's operations were somewhat successful, allowing for gathering the partisans, and conscripts in that vicinity for active service. Richardson was subsequently appointed by Forrest to command of one of his four brigades.

 

[RedRover]

It sounds like he was gathering home guard / militia as he went. I wonder if he brought them to Edwards but didn't fall under Adams' command because they were not regulars?

During the Grierson raid in late April, Richardson and Adams were doing just that...

As the Vicksburg campaign commenced, Richardson, as previously noted, arrived at Brookhaven on May 5 with three companies of the 20th MS. Pemberton immediately ordered him to Port Gibson:

But on the 6th of May, Pemberton sent out new orders for Richardson to proceed to Edward's Depot instead, and all the cavalry to unite there.

On the 11th Gen. Pemberton ordered Wirt Adams to assume command of the whole of the cavalry at Edwards' Depot. It would appear that when Wirt Adams assumed that command, the previous orders of Gen. Pemberton, to assume command of the whole upon uniting, took effect. Richardson appears to have then been reassigned.

 

[tony_gunter]

During the Grierson raid in late April, Richardson and Adams were doing just that...

View attachment 523535


As the Vicksburg campaign commenced, Richardson, as previously noted, arrived at Brookhaven on May 5 with three companies of the 20th MS. Pemberton immediately ordered him to Port Gibson:

View attachment 523529

View attachment 523537

But on the 6th of May, Pemberton sent out new orders for Richardson to proceed to Edward's Depot instead, and all the cavalry to unite there.

View attachment 523536


On the 11th Gen. Pemberton ordered Wirt Adams to assume command of the whole of the cavalry at Edwards' Depot. It would appear that when Wirt Adams assumed that command, the previous orders of Gen. Pemberton, to assume command of the whole upon uniting, took effect. Richardson appears to have then been reassigned.

When Wirt Adams consolidated his force to oppose Sherman's column, he only rode with his own regiment and the 20th Ms … that still leaves whatever state troops and the two companies of the 4th MS, right?