Dispatch captured from Rosecrans to Burnside

[Trevor]

Early County News
Nov 1863

A Puzzle
The Atlanta Confederacy publishes the following dispatch from Rosencrans
to Burnside, taken on the person of a Yankee courier. Let the reader
decipher it:

Hd. Qrs. Dep't Cumberland, Chattanooga, Oct. 16th, 1863
Enemy the increasing they go period this as fortified into to some be it
and Kingston direction you up cross numbers. Wiley boy Burton and it will
too in far strongly go out sorely free without your which at naught and
between on are greatly for pontoons front you we move as be stores you not
to delay spare should least to probably us our preparing Staunton from you
combinedly [sic] between to oppose fortune Roanoke rapid we let possible
speed if him that and your time a communications can be at this news on so
complete with the crossing keep move near once more no from us open and
McDowell. Julia five thousand ferry the you must driver at them prisoners
artillery men pieces wounded to Godwin relay horses in Lambs of and yours
truly Quick killed loss the ours minds ten show two deserters Bennet Gordon
answer also with across day.
152 words R. H. Thone, Captain and A.D.C.

Does anyone know the cipher for this? I'm stumped!

 

[ole]

Looks like one ought to skip words to read the message. How many words? That could vary. First skip five then four then one then two and then three. Or jump back and forth x words.

 

[Copperhead-mi]

The actual ciphered message was:
To Jaque Knoxville, Enemy the increasing they go period this as fortified into some be it and Kingston direction you up cross numbers Wiley boy Burton & if will too in far strongly go ought surely free without your which it ought and between or are greatly for pontoons front you we move as be stores you not to delay spare should least to probably us our preparing Stanton from you combinedly between to oppose fortune roanoke rapid we let possible speed if him that and your time a communication can me at this news in so complete with the crossing keep move hear once more no from us open and McDowell julia five thousand ferry the you must driven at them prisoners artillery men pieces wounded to Godwin relay horses in Lambs of and yours truly quick killed Loss the over minds ten snow two deserters Bennet Gordon answer also with across day.

The deciphered message:

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND

Chattanooga, October 16, 1863 —7p.m.

Major-General Burnside,

Knoxville, Tenn.:

The enemy are preparing pontoons and increasing on our front. If they cross between us you will go up, and probably we too. You ought to move in the direction, at least as far as Kingston, which should be strongly fortified, and your spare stores go into it without delay. You ought to be free to oppose a crossing of the river, and with your cavalry to keep open complete and rapid communications between us, so that we can move combinedly on him. Let me hear from you, if possible, at once. No news from you in ten days. Our cavalry drove the rebel raid across the Tennessee at Lamb's Ferry, with loss to them of 2,000 killed, wounded, prisoners, and deserters; also five pieces of artillery.

Yours,

ROSECRANS

Answer quick.

From Signal Corps Association

 

[Bonny Blue Flag]

Fascinating! Enjoyed it very much.

What is the secret for deciphering it?

--BBF

 

[Copperhead-mi]

Fascinating! Enjoyed it very much.

What is the secret for deciphering it?

--BBF

Go about half way down the page underneath the deciphered message on the Signal Corps Association site for an explanation of which absolutely zero, I understand.

 

[Trevor]

Ahha. Thanks for the help. I was feeling like there should be something simple but things usually are not. I appreciate it!