mont telegraphed to USG. "Your dispatch of to day not understood. Send telegraphic dispatches to me direct, Keep me minutely and frequently advised." Copies, ibid., Western Dept., Telegrams; DLC-USG, VIA, 1. Also on Sept. 1, Frémont telegraphed to Col. Richard J. Oglesby, 8th Ill. "Say to Gen'l McClernand that Col: Wallace is not to move until Gen'l Prentiss be heard from. Up to noon to day Grant had not heard from Prentiss—" Copies, ibid.
1.
No letter from USG to Kelton of Aug. 31 has been found. USG may refer
to a Sept. 1 letter of Capt. William S. Hillyer to Kelton. "I am directed by Brig
Gen Grant Commanding at Cape Girardeau to report to you that on yesterday
after noon he received information which he deems reliable that the enemy has
abandoned his positions at Benton—near Commerce and Saxton and is rapidly
retreating towards New madrid, with the intention of concentrating his force at
the last named place—this information is derived from several sources, each
corroborating the others—the first information was derived from a union man
who had been taken prisoner by the enemy and was released with a pass from
'Jeff Thompson, Comd M. S. G.,' and who brought a proposition from 'Thomp-
son' for the exchange of prisoners. Gen Grant declined to entertain any com-
munication from 'Thompson.' I left Cape Girardeau about 7 o'clock last evening
(Aug 31) on board Government Steamer Louisiana. Gen Grant directed me to
report further that he would have made this report himself, but the steamer ar-
rived as he was about to write it, and he did not think it necessary to detain her, as
the report could be made through me. Up to the time I left Cape Girardeau, no
information had been received at Head Quarters of the junction of the forces
under Gen Prentiss with the forces under Col Marsh at Jackson, but the informa-
tion was hourly expected. Gen Grant yesterday ordered the part of Col Marsh
20th Illinois Regiment stationed at Cape Girardea[u] to move this morning and
join the detachment under Col Marsh at Jackson, and instructed] Col Marsh
upon their arrival to send back the detachment of the 11th Missouri under his
command, to Cape Girardeau. The force of the enemy retreating from Benton &
Commerce is reported as 6000 men. All which is respectfully submitted." ALS,
DNA, RG 393, Western Dept., Letters Received.
2.
Charleston, Mo., about twelve miles southwest of Cairo, Ill.
|
Head Quarters | |
|
Cape Girardeau Mo. | |
|
September 1 st 1861 | |
| SIR: |
Gen. Prentiss has just arrived. Will move the column under his command to Sikeston as soon as possible. I will go to Birds Point and take command there and push out from that point.
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