September 13, 1862: Thomas, get to Bowling Green

George Thomas

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Bragg and Kirby Smith are about to unite their forces in Kentucky, and Buell is desperate to stop them. If they can’t stop Bragg, they’ll have to abandon Nashville, first Confederate capital to fall to the Union. Bragg was already at Glasgow, as it turns out, about 30 miles east of Bowling Green. Buell needs George Thomas to get to Bowling Green fast, and while Buell never seemed to get anywhere quickly, he wasn’t shy about ordering others to get the lead out.

Official Record:

SEPTEMBER 13, 1862-8 p. m.
General THOMAS:

March with your own and Paine’s division for Bowling Green on receipt of this order. You must reach Bowling Green in three days and a half at most, and will march directly on from there. You must march by 3 o’clock on the morning of the 15th, day after to-morrow, and earlier if possible. Leave the siege artillery and most of the cavalry with Negley.

It seems quite certain that the whole of Bragg’s army is in or marching to Kentucky, and that it will be concentrated at Glasgow to-morrow, it not sooner. If, however, you have positive information that as much as two divisions of Bragg’s army are near Nashville, or not moving to cross the Cumberland, you may, if you deem it advisable, leave Paine’s division and bring only your own. Post Negley at the defensible works and positions and at the capitol and bridge, and direct him to have twenty day’s rations at each point for its garrison. He must defend his position to the last extremity. Bring only wagons enough to carry your ammunition and four days’ full rations and the cooking utensils, not exceeding five loaded wagons to each regiment, exclusive of ammunition. You may, however, at your discretion and unknown to the troops, bring 50 empty wagons to each division to cary men who give out on the march. You must, however, start with none but able-bodied men.

You will find the best watering places at Tyree Springs and at a creek 5 miles north of Mitchellsville and at Cave Spring, 3 miles south of Bowling Green, and it is expected you will be able to make these marches. Explain the urgency of the matter to Governor Johnson. If Bragg’s army is defeated Nashville is safe; if not, it is lost. At any rate bring forage for your animals on the march for three days.

JAMES B. FRY,
Chief of Staff.