Horatio G. Wright
We saw a few days ago that Buell had selected “Bull” Nelson to lead the defense of Kentucky against the rebel invaders. It appears something went wrong with his plan, as Halleck had sent Major-General Wright to Louisville ahead of him to command the department. Nelson would support, and as it turns out, go to Lexington to relieve Lew Wallace of his command there.
From the Official Record:
HEADQUARTERS, Louisville, Ky., August 23, 1862-11.10 a. m.
Major-General HALLECK, Commander-in-Chief:I arrived here this morning, in obedience to orders from Major-General Buell, to assume command of the troops arriving in Kentucky, to repel the threatened invasion of Kentucky and Tennessee north of the Cumberland River. I was directed to organize these troops into brigades and divisions and enforce discipline and instruction without an hour’s delay. Two batteries of artillery are ordered to join me from Nashville, both of which accompanied me to Franklin, Ky., where I left them last night. Generals Manson, Jackson, and Cruft accompany me on this mission. The rebel General Kirby Smith is moving in the direction of Burkesville, on the Cumberland River, with 15,000 good troops. My business was to meet him and drive him back. I find here Major-General Wright, who arrived in this city one hour before, and is announced to command the new Department of the Ohio. Under these circumstances shall I return to my division? I solicit your orders in the premises.
W. NELSON,
Major-General.************************************************************************
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, August 23, 1862.
Major-General NELSON, Louisville, Ky.:You and the officers under your command will remain in the new Department of the Ohio, and render all possible assistance to General Wright in driving the enemy from Kentucky.
H. W. HALLECK,
General-in-Chief.************************************************************************
GENERAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE OHIO,Numbers 1.
Louisville, Ky., August 23, 1862.Pursuant to General Orders, Numbers 112, War Department, Washington, August 19, 1862, the undersigned hereby assumes command of the Department of the Ohio, composed of the States of Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Kentucky east of the Tennessee River, and including Cumberland Gap and the troops operating in its vicinity.
Headquarters for the present will be at Cincinnati, Ohio, where all the usual reports, returns, &c., will be sent.
H. G. WRIGHT,
Major-General, Commanding Department.*****************************************************************************
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE OHIO,
Louisville, Ky., August 23, 1862.Major General LEW. WALLACE:
GENERAL: Major General William Nelson, with the brigadier-generals from his late division, having been assigned to duty in this department by order from Washington, goes to Lexington to-morrow, to assume the command of the troops at that point and vicinity and at Lebanon, thus relieving you from the duty for which you promptly volunteered when the services of general officers were so much needed.
In thanking you for the efficient services you have rendered permit me to express the hope that you will continue to aid General Nelson in case he should temporarily require the assistance of general officers.
To Major General C. M. Clay, whose proffered services you accepted, the thanks of the Government are due, and I must ask you to express to him my own sense of the obligation. I trust that he too will render any aid in his power to General Nelson.
Very respectfully,
H. G. WRIGHT,
Major-General, Commanding.