Dr. Wirtz Says That No Regimental
Surgeons Can be Spared From the
General Hospital.
62 Mississippi, WEST TENNESSEE, ETC. [CHAP. XXXVI.
MEMPHIS, TENN., February 21, 1863.
Lieut. Col. John A. RAWLINS, Assistant Adjutant-General.
Having just received the dispatch (copy inclosed), I forward it for information of Major-General Grant.
I have considered it prudent, under this information, to withhold the cavalry dash on Jackson.
I very respectfully suggest to the major-general that it will be necessary, in order to maintain our troops in provisions and forage, that at least eight good boats be kept running between this point and Saint Louis. The army horses are perishing for want of long forage.
I also call attention to the copy of a letter from Parsons, at Saint Louis, herewith,† which indicates the necessity at that point of a considerable amount of river transportation, which, I take it, are forces expected by General Grant from Missouri.
We are again afloat with a heavy rain.
Nothing has been heard here of the gunboats ordered up the Tennessee.
We are examining the lists of regimental surgeons, and will send down such as can safely be spared. Dr. Wirtz and Dr. Irwin, his successor
__________________________________
† Not found.
CHAP. XXXVI.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.--UNION. 63
in charge of hospitals, affirm that none can be spared from general hospital here.
The progress of rebuilding railroad from Columbus is very slow, but Colonel Webster assures me it will be completed to-morrow.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. A. HURLBUT.
[Inclosure.]
CORINTH, February 21, 1863.
Maj. Gen. STEPHEN A. HURLBUT.
A scout came in from Jackson last night; reports two regiments of infantry at Jackson, and a large portion of the rebel army encamped on east side of Black River, near the bridge. A force of 800 men only at Meridian, but all the surplus rolling-stock of railroad centered there. One brigade of rebel cavalry north of Grenada, and Barteau's regiment (800) at Okolona. Dodge says this is entirely reliable. I have, therefore, suspended movement of Hatch for the present.
C. S. HAMILTON.
Source:
United States. War Dept., United States. Record and Pension Office., United States. War Records Office., et al., "Vicksburg," The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Prepared, Under the Direction of the Secretary of War, by the Late Lieut. Col. Robert N. Scott, Third U. S. Artillery. Published Pursuant to Acts of Congress. Series I-Volume XXIV-In Three Parts. Part III-Correspondence, Etc. Washington: Government Printing Office. 1889, pp. 62-63.
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