CHAPTER IX. DISTRICT OF WEST TENNESSEE. THE operations of the early part of February, 1862, had brought General Grant and his army into the State of Tennessee, and to enable him to act with promptitude and success, it became necessary to increase his line of operations. Therefore, on the 14th day of February, General Halleck issued an order creating the new district of West Tennessee, to embrace all the country between the Tennessee and Mississippi Rivers, to the Mississippi State line, and Cairo, making the head-quarters temporarily at Fort Donelson, or wherever the general might be. The first order issued by General Grant, after the assumption of the command of that district, was a congratulatory order to his troops on their late victory. The order was worded as follows: HEAD-QUARTERS, DISTRICT OF WEST TENNESSEE, [General Order No. 2.] The general commanding takes great pleasure in congratulating the troops of this command for the triumph over rebellion, gained by their valor, on the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth instant. For four successive nights, without shelter, during the most inclement weather known in this latitude, they faced an enemy in large force, in a position chosen by himself. Though strongly fortified by nature, all the additional safeguards suggested by science were added. Without a murmur this was borne, prepared at all times to receive an attack, and, with continuous skirmishing by day, resulting ultimately in forcing the enemy to surrender without conditions. The victory achieved is not only great in the effect it will have in breaking down rebellion, but has secured the greatest number of prisoners of war ever taken in any battle on this continent. Fort Donelson will hereafter be marked in capitals on the map of our United Country, and the men who fought the battle will live in the memory of a grateful people. By order, U. S. GRANT, Brig.-Gen. Commanding. Although one of the principal objects of the campaign-the reopening of the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivershad been accomplished, General Grant did not allow his forces to remain long idle. After Fort Donelson had been reduced, the gunboats, under Commodore Foote, were pushed up the Cumberland River, while, at the same time, a co-operating land force, consisting of a division of General Grant's army, marched along the western bank. the 20th of February, the town of Clarksville was taken, without a fight; and at this depot were found supplies enough for subsisting General Grant's army for twenty days. The place was at once garrisoned and held, while the gunboats moved still further up the river, to open the way for the army of the Ohio to occupy Nashville. On The Union army had by this time advanced some distance into the territory of the rebels; and it became necessary, in order to protect the morale as well as the persons of those composing that army, that a most rigid discipline should be exacted, and a searching law imposed upon all, both friend and foe. General Grant, therefore, appended to his army orders of February 22d, the following: HEAD-QUARTERS, DISTRICT OF WEST TENNESSEE, General Orders, No. 7.] Tennessee, by her rebellion, having ignored all laws of the United States, no courts will be allowed to act under State authority; but all cases coming within the reach of the military arm, will be adjudicated by the authorities the government has established within the State. Martial law is, therefore, declared to extend over West Tennessee. Whenever a sufficient number of citizens return to their allegiance to naintain law and order over the territory, the military restriction here indicated will be removed. By order of J. A. RAWLINS, A. A. G. Major-General U. S. GRANT. In addition to the above, General Grant also caused the following order from the head of the department, to be read at dress parade: HEAD-QUARTERS, DISTRICT OF WEST TENNESSEE, The following order from the commander of the department is published for the information of this command: HEAD-QUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF MISSOURI, The major-general commanding this department desires to impress upon all officers the importance of preserving good order and discipline among these troops and the armies of the West, during their advance into Tennessee and the Southern States. Let us show to our fellow-citizens of these States, that we come merely to crush out this rebellion, and to restore to them peace and the benefits of the Constitution and the Union, of which they have been deprived by selfish and unprincipled leaders. They have been told that we come to oppress and plunder. By our acts we will undeceive them. We will prove to them that we come to restore, not violate, the Constitution and the laws. In restoring to them the glorious flag of the Union, we will assure them that they shall enjoy, under its folds, the same protection of life and property as in former days. Soldiers! Let no excesses on your part tarnish the glory of our arms! The orders heretofore issued from this department in regard to pillaging, marauding, and the destruction of private property, and the stealing and concealment of slaves, must be strictly enforced. It does not belong to the military to decide upon the relation of master and slave. Such questions must be settled by the civil courts. No fugitive slave will, therefore, be admitted within our lines or camps, except when especially ordered by the general commanding. Women and children, merchants, farmers, and all persons not in arms, are to be regarded as non-combatants, and are not to be molested, either in their persons or property. If, however, they assist and aid the enemy, they become belligerents, and will be treated as such. As they violate the laws of war, they will be made to suffer the penalties of such violation. Military stores and public property of the enemy must be surrendered; and any attempt to conceal such property by fraudulent transfer or otherwise will be punished. But no private property will be touched, unless by order of the general commanding. Whenever it becomes necessary, forced contributions for supplies and subsistence for our troops will be made. Such levies will be made as light as possible, and be so distributed as to produce no distress among the people. All property so taken must be receipted fully and accepted for as heretofore directed. These orders will be read at the head of every regiment, and all officers are commanded strictly to enforce them. It will thus be seen, that, although strict martial law was to be exacted, and every effort made to crush the rebellion, still non-combatants were to be respected in their persons and property. After Nashville had been occupied, the gunboats were taken down the Cumberland River for further operations; and, among others, a reconnoissance was made up the Tennessee River, as far as the northern State lines of Mississippi and Alabama. It was ascertained by the officers of the fleet, that along the banks of this river the Union feel ing was strongly manifested, and that the gunboats were welcomed with enthusiasm. It was also discovered that no large rebel force was concentrated near the river itself, and that a base of operations might be established near the borders of the southern Tennessee State line. In consequence of this discovery, General Grant removed his headquarters to Fort Henry, on the Tennessee River, where he began fitting out his expedition for operations at a distance of about one hundred miles further up that stream. About this time another very strong effort was made, by General Grant's detractors, to get him removed, and it was even reported that he had been deprived of his command. Subsequent events explained the origin of the rumor, in the fact that General C. F. Smith had been placed in command of the troops in the field, while General Grant was still kept at Fort Henry, organizing and fitting out the forces with which he was about to operate. The advance troops were sent by transports up the Tennessee River, to Savannah, Tennessee, and while en route, and even after disembarking, General Smith held the command until the arrival of General Grant at that place.* On the 11th of March, 1862, General Grant, while at Fort Henry, was presented with a handsome sword, by the regimental commanding officers. The handle of the sword was made of ivory, mounted with gold, and the blade was of the finest tempered steel. Two scabbards were attached to the sword, the service one being of fine gilt, while the parade scabbard was of rich gilt, mounted at the band. The sword was enclosed in a fine rosewood case, and ac * The Florence (Ala.) Gazette, of March 12, 1862, had the following very significant article: "We learned yesterday that the Unionists had landed a very large force at Savannah, Tenn. We suppose they are making preparations to get possession of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad. They must never be allowed to get this great thoroughfare in their possession, for then we would indeed be crippled. The labor and untiring industry of too many faithful and energetic men have been expended on this road to bring it up to its present state of usefulness, to let it fall into the hands of the enemy to be used against us. It must be protected. We, as a people, are able to protect and save it. If unavoidable, let them have our river; but we hope it is the united sentiment of our people, that we will have our railroad." |