War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

The system of roving or independent scouts he regards as detrimental, and should be abandoned.

0 comments
A scouting party

Headquarters Military Division of the West1 Tuscumbia, November 15, 1864. General Forrest, ……………..Commanding Cavalry, & c.: General: It is the direction of General Beauregard that you make to these headquarters, as early as practicable, a report of the number of scouts you have employed, where operating, how employed and organized and supplied with provisions, how [...]

Civil War Irregulars: Rangers, Scouts, Guerrillas, and Others, War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

The system of roving or independent scouts he regards as detrimental

0 comments
A scouting party

Headquarters Military Division of the West, Tuscumbia, November 10, 1864. General J. B. Hood, …………….Commanding, &c.: General: General Beauregard instructs me to say that he desires you would instruct Generals Wheeler and Roddey to furnish as early as practicable the number of scouts they have employed, where operating, how employed, organized, and supplied with provisions, [...]

Civil War Irregulars: Rangers, Scouts, Guerrillas, and Others, War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

“…irresponsible parties wandering about the rear…”

0 comments
A scouting party

Circular.] …..Headquarters First Army Corps1 Near Richmond, Va., October 20, 1864. …..The attention of the lieutenant-general commanding has been directed to the large number of irresponsible parties wandering about the rear and flanks of the Federal army, who claim to be scouts of the Army of Northern Virginia. They do us no good, but by [...]

Civil War Irregulars: Rangers, Scouts, Guerrillas, and Others, War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

The condition of Mississippi is truly deplorable in many respects…

0 comments

Jackson, Miss., September 7, 1864. General Braxton Bragg, ………………………….Richmond, Va.: General: In the course of the tour of inspection made by Major B. F. Jones and myself in the State of Mississippi many facts relating to the condition of this portion of the country have presented themselves and are of sufficient importance, I think, to [...]

Civil War Irregulars: Rangers, Scouts, Guerrillas, and Others, War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

…straggling soldiers, deserters, absentees, and parties grouped together under the name and guise of "independent scouts"…

0 comments

General Orders, No.2 Hdqrs. Dept. of W. Va. and E. Tenn.1 Abingdon, Va., June 25, 1864 I. The brigadier-general commanding is informed of the disgraceful manner in which straggling soldiers, deserters, absentees, and parties grouped together under the name and guise of “independent scouts” have been depredating upon the private rights and property of peaceful [...]

Civil War Irregulars: Rangers, Scouts, Guerrillas, and Others, War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

Scout Report

0 comments

Panola, August 16, 1863.1 General Chalmers: Scout reports 5 miles south Oxford, 7 o’clock last night, about 1,700 cavalry passed Water Valley road toward Grenada. THOS. HENDERSON, Captain, &c. War of the Rebellion: Serial 053 Page 0501 KY.,SW.VA.,TENN.,MISS.,N.ALA., AND N.GA. Chapter XLII. The reports and dispatches of Henderson’s Cavalry Scouts: Unlike many of the independent [...]

Civil War Irregulars: Rangers, Scouts, Guerrillas, and Others, Henderson’s Cavalry Scouts, War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

Federal movements reported

0 comments

Panola, August 15, 1863.1 General Chalmers: Major Chalmers reports 3 o’clock: The Federal column that crossed at Rocky Ford, 1,200 strong, went into Oxford 10 a .m. The column by Abbeville, 800 and seven pieces artillery, crossed at 9 o’clock, bound for Water Valley and Grenada. He will camp at Leeter’s Mill to-night. Colonel Slemons [...]

Civil War Irregulars: Rangers, Scouts, Guerrillas, and Others, Henderson’s Cavalry Scouts, War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

Abbeville and Rocky Ford forces united…

0 comments

Panola, August 15, 1863.1 General Chalmers: Scout Carman just in; reports Abbeville and Rocky Ford forces united and in Oxford this evening at 2 o’clock. THOS. HENDERSON, Captain, &c. War of the Rebellion: Serial 053 Page 0500 KY.,SW.VA.,TENN.,MISS.,N.ALA., AND N.GA. Chapter XLII. The reports and dispatches of Henderson’s Cavalry Scouts: Unlike many of the independent [...]

Civil War Irregulars: Rangers, Scouts, Guerrillas, and Others, Henderson’s Cavalry Scouts, War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

…attack him upon the flank and harass his movements as much as possible.

0 comments
A scouting party

Grenada, August 14, 1863. Colonel W. C. Falkner, Commanding First Regiment Mississippi Partisans: Colonel: Information has just been received that a column of the enemy, 600 strong, with four pieces of artillery, passed through Byhalia yesterday for Wyatt, and another of the same strength—no artillery reported—passed through Salem for Water Valley. You will move up [...]

Civil War Irregulars: Rangers, Scouts, Guerrillas, and Others, War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

Scout Givens reports from Byhalia

0 comments

Panola, August 14, 1863.1 General Chalmers: Scout Givens reports from Byhalia, August 13, 4 o’clock p.m., enemy passed 600 strong, four pieces of artillery, eight ambulances, six wagons, with eight days’ rations, a number of spades, shovels, picks, and axes, and one pontoon bridge. They took the road to Wyatt and Cox’s Cross-Roads. Three car-loads [...]

Civil War Irregulars: Rangers, Scouts, Guerrillas, and Others, Henderson’s Cavalry Scouts, War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

600 Yankees passed through Salem

0 comments

Panola, August 14, 1863.1 General Chalmers: Scout near La Grange reports 600 Yankees passed through Salem, taking Beck’s Springs road 3 o’clock yesterday evening. Have four wagons, two ambulances; have six days’ rations, and bound for Water Valley. THOS. HENDERSON, Captain Independent Scouts. War of the Rebellion: Serial 053 Page 0497 KY.,SW.VA.,TENN.,MISS.,N.ALA., AND N.GA. Chapter [...]

Civil War Irregulars: Rangers, Scouts, Guerrillas, and Others, Henderson’s Cavalry Scouts, War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

J. E. Johnston to Major-General Walker

0 comments

CANTON, June 5, 1863.1 Major-General WALKER, Yazoo City: Captain [Thomas] Henderson, at Scott’s Ferry, reported Brigadier-General [John] Adams at Pritchard’s Cross-Roads last night. I suppose that the general has reported to you. I cannot suspect that he will neglect the Valley road. I have desired Jackson to send you a squadron. Send information to Loring [...]

Civil War Irregulars: Rangers, Scouts, Guerrillas, and Others, Henderson’s Cavalry Scouts, War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

If it is not too late, evacuate Vicksburg…

0 comments

CAMP, Between Livingston and Brownsville, May 17, 1863. [Received, May 18, in Vicksburg.] Lieutenant-General PEMBERTON: Your dispatch of to-day, by Captain [Thomas] Henderson, was received. If Haynes’ Bluff is untenable, Vicksburg is of no value, and cannot be held. If, therefore, you are invested in Vicksburg, you must ultimately surrender. Under such circumstances, instead of [...]

Civil War Irregulars: Rangers, Scouts, Guerrillas, and Others, Henderson’s Cavalry Scouts, War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

…retreat will render it necessary to abandon the works at Snyder’s Mill..,

0 comments

Hdqrs. Dept. OF Mississippi AND Eastern Louisiana, Vicksburg, Miss., May 17, 1863.1 General Joseph E. Johnston, Commanding, &c.: General: Whilst writing my communication this morning, the enemy attacked me on my right, left, and center. My troops, although strongly posted behind breastworks and protected in rifle-pits, were forced from their positions, owing to the demoralization [...]

Civil War Irregulars: Rangers, Scouts, Guerrillas, and Others, Henderson’s Cavalry Scouts, War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

You must ultimately surrender.

0 comments

Camp, Between Livingston and Brownsville, May 17, 1863. Lieutenant-General PEMBERTON: Your dispatch of to-day by Captain [Thomas] Henderson was received. If Haynes’ Bluff is untenable, Vicksburg is of no value and cannot be held. If, therefore, you are invested in Vicksburg, you must ultimately surrender. Under such circumstances, instead of losing both troops and place, [...]

Civil War Irregulars: Rangers, Scouts, Guerrillas, and Others, War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

Extracts from the journal of Commander Semmes, C.S. Navy, commanding C.S.S. Sumter

0 comments

Wednesday, August 28.—Bright, elastic morning, with a gentle breeze from the S. E. Suspended the second lieutenant from duty for remaining out of the ship during his watch without leave and sending off a midshipman to keep it, in violation of the general orders of the ship, and justifying the act when called on in [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

Extracts from the journal of Commander Semmes, C.S. Navy, commanding C.S.S. Sumter

0 comments

Tuesday, August 27.—Morning cloudy, clearing as the day advanced. Got sights for my chronometers, which gave me satisfactory results. Still coaling and watering. We hear a report that there are two ships of war off the entrance, keeping themselves out of sight, hoping to waylay us. A fisherman is said to have supplied one of [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

Extracts from the journal of Commander Semmes, C.S. Navy, commanding C.S.S. Sumter

0 comments

Monday, August 26.— Morning cloudy, clearing off about 9 o’clock. Coaling and receiving wood and water. Little breeze and warm. The governor sends me an apology by the paymaster for not being able to show me some official civility and hopes that I will return at some future period under different circumstances. The dunce! His [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

Extracts from the journal of Commander Semmes, C.S. Navy, commanding C.S.S. Sumter

0 comments

Sunday, August 25.— Cloudy in the morning. Went on shore to church at half past 8. The good old mother has her churches and clergymen , even in this remote Dutch colony. It is estimated that there [are] 10,000 Catholics in the colony. The church was a neat, well-arranged building, the congregation full and mixed, [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

Extracts from the journal of Commander Semmes, C.S. Navy, commanding C.S.S. Sumter

0 comments

Saturday, August 24.—Clear and pleasant; some passing clouds and in the evening slight squalls and rain. The Dutch steamer with the mail arrived to-day from Demerara. We were looking anxiously for news from home, as at last accounts ( July 20, from New York) a battle near Manassas Junction seemed imminent. Demerara papers to the [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

Extracts from the journal of Commander Semmes, C.S. Navy, commanding C.S.S. Sumter

0 comments

Thursday, August 22.—Clear and pleasant. Landed with Mr. Smith and my cockswain and took a walk, stopping at the hotel and reading such of the Yankee newspapers as I could ?nd. The privateer Sumter made some ?gure111 these lying sheets. Have received in the last two days just 18 tons of coal. The Yankee consul [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

Extracts from the journal of Commander Semmes, C.S. Navy, commanding C.S.S. Sumter

0 comments

Wednesday, August 21.—Clear; temperature, pleasant. Returned the visit of the commander of the Abeille. He is a clever man, with pro-slavery sympathies, and seemed to understand well the cause of our quarrel with the North, but is a Frenchman all over and seemed to think we had not treated the pavillon Français with due respect [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

Extracts from the journal of Commander Semmes, C.S. Navy, commanding C.S.S. Sumter

0 comments

Tuesday, August 20.—Weather clear and temperature, out of the sun, quite cool and pleasant. Called on the governor and had an agreeable interview with him. Returned the calls also of the Dutch and French commanders. Received the visits of two Dutch commanders and several citizens. Made arrangements for receiving a supply of coal. The French [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies

Extracts from the journal of Commander Semmes, C.S. Navy, commanding C.S.S. Sumter

0 comments

Monday, August 19.—Day broke clear, had all hands at quarters at 5:30 a.m., daylight. The strange steamer got up steam and ran toward us. Got our anchor and stood down for her. Hoisted the French colors. Soon afterwards the stranger hoisted French colors also. Hauled down the French colors and hoisted our own, and continued [...]

War of the Rebellion: from the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies and Navies