Wednesday, May 16, 2012

W.C. Fields Anticipated

The troop movement planned for the previous day is now promised for tomorrow on this day in 1862.  Perhaps Halleck is anticipating the advice of W.C. Fields:  "Never put off 'till tomorrow what you can put off 'till the day after just as well."

Assistant Secretary of War.
FARMINGTON, May 16, 1862.
Honorable E. M. STANTON,
Secretary of War:

All the divisions will be up to permanent line tomorrow evening, after which active operations may be expected. I will be located in Farmington village. Flag of truce from Beauregard appeared at our line yesterday, in charge of Colonel Jacob Thompson, late Secretary of the Interior, with 61 of our prisoners, releasted [sic] on parole. To-day an other flag arrived by Colonel John Pegram, with 114 more.
Beauregard sends all our surgeons tomorrow for exchange. Halleck will return an equal number, and left paroles of those sent in by the enemy. One of our men in from Corinth to-night says the enemy are receiving re-enforcements every day. A full and well-uniformed regiment of 1,000 men arrived this morning. All quiet in front. Weather clear and road good. Army in excellent condition.

THOMAS A. SCOTT,
Assistant Secretary of War.*


* ORE correspondence courtesy of my Favorite Link, Ohio State's eHistory

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