Category Archives: Henry Halleck

December 24, 1862: Columbus and Memphis threatened

Posted on December 24, 2012 by Allen Gathman

With communications disrupted by Van Dorn’s raid, all the Union positions in upper southwest are jeopardized. Rumors fly, and reinforcements are hard to come by. COLUMBUS, KY., Via Cairo, Ill., December 24, 1862-8 a. m. Major-General HALLECK, General-in-Chief: I am … Continue reading →

Posted in Henry Halleck, Kentucky, Samuel R. Curtis, Tennessee | Leave a comment

December 21, 1862: Aftermath of Van Dorn’s raid

Posted on December 21, 2012 by Allen Gathman

Earl Van Dorn **************************************************** Van Dorn and Forrest’s raiders captured the supply depot at Holly Springs, and broke up the railroad between Memphis and Columbus, KY. Halleck ordered reinforcements out to support them. Meanwhile, Grant relieved Mizner of his command … Continue reading →

Posted in Earl Van Dorn, Henry Halleck, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nathan Bedford Forrest, Tennessee | Leave a comment

December 18, 1862: Grant orders McClernand into the Vicksburg campaign

Posted on December 18, 2012 by Allen Gathman

Finally, Grant gets the order from Halleck to bring McClernand into the Vicksburg attack, which McClernand had been maneuvering for over the past couple of months. The message below puts him in charge of an army corps. Official Records HEADQUARTERS … Continue reading →

Posted in Henry Halleck, John A. McClernand, Mississippi, Ulysses S. Grant, Vicksburg, William Tecumseh Sherman | Leave a comment

December 5, 1862: Still more on the telegraph war

Posted on December 5, 2012 by Allen Gathman

Halleck ******************************************************************* Grant was having a lot of trouble with insubordination from the telegraphers in Mississippi, as we’ve seen. Stanton already got involved; now Halleck tries his hand at it. Even the order from Stanton to release Van Duzer, the … Continue reading →

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November 24, 1862: Moving on Vicksburg

Posted on November 24, 2012 by Allen Gathman

Grant and Halleck planned to attack Vicksburg before winter set in. Halleck wasn’t letting Grant take trains south, but he favored a naval movement. Here we see Halleck requesting a report on troop strength; Grant has 72,000 men available. He’s … Continue reading →

Posted in David Porter, Henry Halleck, Mississippi, Ulysses S. Grant, Ulysses S. Grant, Vicksburg | Leave a comment

November 22, 1862: Grant not allowed to take trains south

Posted on November 22, 2012 by Allen Gathman

Grant requisitioned trains for his expedition south in Mississippi, but he was rebuffed — Halleck forbade him to get any more trains, and to take any of them south. Guess he was afraid the rebels would capture them. Official record … Continue reading →

Posted in Henry Halleck, Mississippi, Ulysses S. Grant, Vicksburg | Leave a comment

November 16, 1862: What to do with all these contrabands?

Posted on November 16, 2012 by Allen Gathman

As Grant moves south from Memphis, he finds that he’s got more freed slaves than he knows what to do with. Halleck tells him to put them to work for the Union, and take food for them from the rebels. … Continue reading →

Posted in Contrabands, Cotton, Henry Halleck, Ulysses S. Grant | Leave a comment

November 11, 1862: Grant, you have command.

Posted on November 11, 2012 by Allen Gathman

As we’ve seen, Stanton and McClernand were maneuvering behind Grant’s back, putting together a quasi-independent expedition on Vicksburg. Grant got wind of it and wrote to Halleck to find out if this was authorized, and Halleck quickly came back with … Continue reading →

Posted in Edwin M. Stanton, Henry Halleck, John A. McClernand, Mississippi, Ulysses S. Grant, Vicksburg | Leave a comment

November 10, 1862: Grant — What’s going on here?

Posted on November 10, 2012 by Allen Gathman

In answer to my earlier speculation, it looks like Grant, at least, had no idea until today that McClernand and Stanton were outfitting a Vicksburg expedition behind his back. Here he asks Halleck what exactly is going on? Who commands … Continue reading →

Posted in Edwin M. Stanton, Henry Halleck, John A. McClernand, Mississippi, Ulysses S. Grant, Vicksburg | Leave a comment

November 9, 1862: Grant needs troops to take Holly Springs

Posted on November 9, 2012 by Allen Gathman

Having performed his reconnaissance in force, Grant found that Pemberton had sent the troops back into Holly Springs. So Grant’s looking for reinforcements to take the place, and getting a bit antsy. Official Record Major General H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief. … Continue reading →

Posted in Henry Halleck, Mississippi, Ulysses S. Grant | Leave a comment