Thu Oct 11, 2007 4:49 am
[font="Courier New"][RIGHT]DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Memphis, Tn., Early October 1862[/RIGHT]
HON. EDWIN McMASTERS STANTON, Secretary of War:
So as to guide you in deciding what new forces to raise, here is a status report on the location and condition of the various divisional commands in the West, along with requisition requests to bring each to full TO&E strengt:.
1) Wallace's Division - St. Louis, Mo.: Resting and refitting. Needs one sharpshooter regiment.
2) Prentiss' Division - Cairo, Il.: Resting and refitting. No needs, at full TO&E.
3) Hurlbut's Division - Memphis, Tn.: Sent to Memphis for resting and refitting. Could use one new infantry regiment.
4) Kearny's Division - Decatur, Al.: Ordered to occupy Decatur. Could use one new infantry regiment.
5) Curtis' Division - Mercer Cty, Ky.: Sent on "hearts and minds" operation to reestablish rail control to Lexington, Ky.. Badly understrength and in need of replacements; needs three infantry regiments and four artillery batteries before it will be fit for combat duty.
6) Woods' Division - Madison Cty, Al.: Sent to occupy Madison Cty. Needs one artillery battery.
7) McPherson's Division - Jackson Cty, Al.: Sent to occupy Jackson Cty. No needs, at full TO&E.
8) McCook's Division - Jackson Cty, Al.: Sent to occupy Jackson Cty. Needs one artillery battery.
9) King's Division - Bolivar, Ms.: Defending depot at Bolivar. Needs one sharpshooter regiment.
10) Granger's Division - Bolivar, Ms.: Resting. Needs one infantry and one sharpshooter regiment.
11) Sigel's Division - Argentia Cty, Ar.: Sent to occupy Argentia Cty. Needs one infantry and one sharpshooter regiment, plus one artillery battery.
12) Sherman's Division - Little Rock, Ar.: Resting. Needs one sharpshooter regiment.
13) Davis' Divison - Little Rock, Ar.: Defending Little Rock. Needs four artillery batteries.
14) Asboth's Division (planned) - Bolivar, Ms.: Needs two infantry and one sharpshooter regiments, plus 3 artillery batteries.
Total requisition needs for the department, for divisional TO&E requests are thus: 9 infantry regiments, 6 sharpshooter regiments, and 14 artillery batteries.
Speaking of artillery, I note that the president signed into law House bill 1.07d, which amongst other things doubles the size of army artillery batteries. As a result, all our current batteries are 50% understrength, and we are short on gun replacements.
I think it also would be a good idea to have at least two pontooning units in the department as well, for the two main army commands, for use in riverine operations.
And we are still desperate for garrison units, of any quality. One of the reason a few divisions are short infantry regiments was the needs to deploy garrison troops to enforce martial law in Kentucky and Tennessee. A 15th division was broken up entirely, in fact, to supply needed garrisons.
I remain, sir, your obedient servant,
[RIGHT]H.W. HALLECK,
Maj. Gen., Commanding[/RIGHT][/font]