Bragg to March on Washington?

Is Bragg really in Tennessee?  Just one day after reporting that Bragg was harassing Buell in Middle Tennesse,Jeremiah T. Boyle offers this alternate reality to his president as he confesses his ignorance on the matter.  Lincoln surely wonders why it is so difficult to locate an army of some 35,000 troops but can now, at least, restrict the search to Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee.  Is this is yet another example of rebel trickery?  Providing misinformation to gullible Union officers has been refined into an art form by the citizens of Tennessee.

Ref.:  http://ehistory.osu.edu/osu/sources/recordView.cfm?Content=023/0496

HEADQUARTERS,
Louisville, Ky., September 8, 1862 - 11 a. m.
His Excellency President LINCOLN:

Intelligent persons who left Nashville on 6th instant say that nothing is known of Bragg's army in Tennessee. There is some conjecture that Bragg may joined the forces near Washington. My view of their plans is likely all wrong.

J. T. BOYLE,
Brigadier-General.

This latest information certainly gets the president's attention, so he queries General Buell.

Ref.:  http://ehistory.osu.edu/osu/sources/recordView.cfm?Content=023/0497.: 

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, September 8, 1862 - 7.20 p. m.
General BUELL:

What degree of certainty have you that Bragg with his command is not now in the valley of the Shenandoah, Virginia?

A. LINCOLN.


SPOILER ALERT:  Buell responds to the War Department at midnight on September 10, 1862 from Nashville.  All recent records of troop movements in south-central Kentucky have been ordered by General H.G. Wright.  However, Buell has sent several encrypted messages that are mentioned, but not contained, in the OREs (Official Records Extracts). It is likely, therefore, that the march to Louisville is underway, but not completed.


Ref.:  http://ehistory.osu.edu/osu/sources/recordView.cfm?Content=023/0500

NASHVILLE, TENN.,
September 10, 1862 - 12 m.
His Excellency ABRAHAM LINCOLN:

Bragg is certainly this side of the Cumberland Mountains with his whole force, except what is in Kentucky under Smith. His movements will probably depend on mine. I except that for the want of supplies I can neither follow him nor remain here. Think I must withdraw from Tennessee. I shall not abandon Tennessee while it is possible to hold on. Cut off effectually from supplies, it is impossible for me to operate enforce where I am; but I shall endeavor to hold Nashville, and at the same time drive Smith out of Kentucky and hold my communications.

D. C. BUELL,
Major-General.