Buell Ordered to East Tennessee Posthaste

On or about this day in 1862, Buell is again cautioned against falling back on Nashville.  The political pressures noted previously are clearly having an influence on mimlitary strategy.  The footnotes are copied as printed on the eHistory website.

Ref.:  http://ehistory.osu.edu/osu/sources/recordView.cfm?Content=023/0638

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, October 23,* 1862.
Major-General BUELL, Lebanon, Ky.:

Your three dispatches of yesterday+ are received and will be submitted to the Secretary and President to day. It is the wish of the government that your army proceed to and occupy East Tennessee with all possible dispatch. It leaves to you the selection of the roads upon which to move to that object; but is urges that this selection be so made as to cover Nashville and at the same time prevent the enemy's return into Kentucky. To now withdraw your army to Nashville would have a most disastrous effect upon the country, already wearied with son many delays in our operations. To wait for the rising of the Cumberland for supplies will carry us into the rainy season, when the roads will be almost impassable and the campaign will terminate with no results Neither the Government nor the country can endure these repeated delays. Both require a prompt and immediate movement toward the accomplishment of the great object in view - the holding of East Tennessee.

H. W. HALLECK,
General-in-Chief.

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* True date appears to have been October 22, 12.20 p. m.

+ One of these dispatches refers to prisoners of war, and will appear in Series II; the others appear as of October 22, on pp.636, 637.


Meanwhile, in a move that will have great significance for the Seventeenth Kentucky and the rest of Buell's Army of the Ohio, General William Starke Rosecrans is sent this telegram from Washington.


Ref.:  http://ehistory.osu.edu/osu/sources/recordView.cfm?Content=023/0639

WASHINGTON, D. C., October 23, 1862.

Major-General ROSECRANS, Corinth, Miss.:

You will immediately repair to Cincinnati, where you will receive orders. Telegraph your arrival. Go with the least possible delay.

H. W. HALLECK.