Major General Don Buell, having been copied on Gen. George Morgan's letter to Stanton, adds his comments in support of more troops to guard against raids on Union supply lines in his letter on this day in 1862. It is significant that he also chooses to bypass his commanding officer, "Old Brains" Halleck.
BUELL'S HEADQUARTERS, May 12, 1862.
(Received May 14, 1862-9.45 a. m.)
Honorable E. M. STANTON,
Secretary of War:
There is great and immediate need of more cavalry in Kentucky and Tennessee. The warfare has already assumed a guerrilla character in Tennessee, and it is to be renewed in Kentucky by marauding bands organized in the State, assisted by a few rebel troops. Kentucky ought to have at least three more regiments and Tennessee two more, if they can be spared from the East. I would recommend that they be sent immediately. They cannot be had elsewhere.
D. C. BUELL.*
Buell's statement that the troops "cannot be had elsewhere" is an obvious comment on Halleck's organizational maneuvers. How long can Stanton continue to ignore the alarm bells tolling of Haleck's inadequacies as a field commander?
*ORE correspondence courtesy of my Favorite Link, Ohio State's eHistory
This blog chronicles the life of the 17th Regiment Kentucky Volunteer Infantry in the American Civil War on the 150th aniversary of their service. Follow these volunteers through several major battles while experiencing both the pace and duration of the conflict. The posts may be read chronologically by accessing the archives and selecting them individually, beginning with the Preface.
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