A McCook at Reynolds' Station

The following orders from Buell's headquarters at Huntsville to Col. Edward M. McCook*  at Reynolds' Station indicate that Columbia, Tennessee has been selected as a point for consolidation in middle Tennessee.  Located in Murray County just south of Nashville, it is more centrally located and thus able to quickly supply troops to Murfreesboro, Franklin, Shelbyville, Pulaski and Nashville.

Ref.: http://ehistory.osu.edu/osu/sources/recordView.cfm?Content=023/0204

HEADQUARTERS,
Huntsville, July 23, 1862.
Colonel McCOOK, Reynolds' Station:

The First and Second Kentucky Cavalry (Wolford's and Board's) and the Second Indiana Cavalry (McCook's) are ordered to concentrate at Columbia immediately, to assume active operations against the enemy's cavalry, which is threatening our lines and posts. It will be necessary for you to remain at Reynolds' Station in person at present to superintend matters relating to our supplies. You will be permitted to join your regiment as soon as practicable.

JAMES B. FRY,
Chief of Staff.

Ref.: http://ehistory.osu.edu/osu/sources/recordView.cfm?Content=023/0205

HEADQUARTERS,
Huntsville, July 23, 1862.
Colonel McCOOK, Reynolds' Station:

It is reported that the enemy, 500 strong, was marching south through Marshall County last night. Wolford's cavalry is just ordered to march south from Columbia and form junction with your regiment, and both then to move to within 5 or 6 miles of Reynolds', and move upon the enemy wherever he may be and attack and pursue. Board's cavalry at Columbia ready to re-enforce or act on the rear.
Send a messenger after your regiment to halt it till Wolford's comes down. Get all information you can and report and be prepared for vigorous action. Notify infantry below you and look out for trains.

JAMES B. FRY,
Chief of Staff.

The "infantry below you" refers to the Seventeenth Kentucky who remain at Pulaski, about eight miles south of Reynolds' Station.  In his diary entry of July 27th, Captain Cox mentions hearing the long roll of the drums one night the previous week.  This must be the night.


* Editor's Note: Col. Edward M. McCook is one of the Fighting McCook Family from Ohio.  Major Daniel McCook provided 10 sons to the service of his country and was killed in The Battle of Buffington Island, defending against Morgan's raid.  All but one of his sons (J.James McCook, who died in 1842 during his enlistment in the USN) served in the Civil War.  His brother, Dr. John James McCook, served as a volunteer surgeon and contributed four sons to the cause.  Perhaps, the most prominent son, Maj. Gen. Alexander McDowell McCook, is currently commanding his divisions at Battle Creek, Tennessee, guarding the all-important passage to Chattanooga. The Seventeenth Kentucky is also under his command, Rousseau's Division, Harris' Brigade as Buell's march to Louisville is being organised.