[USA War room] Washington Telegraph Office

[Jabberwock]

War Department
Washington, August 17, 1861

To: Major General Kurtz
From: Lt. General Scott

Sir -

Again, my apologies for any misunderstanding regarding troops designated for amphibious operations. The current crisis in trained field leadership dictates the use of these troops in Maryland. However, this forces us to replan and reschedule your anticipated attack on Norfolk via Fort Monroe, which was their more immediate objective.

The reoccupation of Florida is not cancelled, but it is suspended pending initiation of the Carolinas operation. These two operations would require the same resources simultaneously.

Please keep this office informed of the status of General Burnside, and provide more detailed progress reports on fortification efforts in Maryland and southern Pennsylvania. The rebels currently have the ability to advance into portions of this area relatively unopposed, providing them with opportunities, and depriving our response forces of counter-attack opportunities on enemy units that have been weakened by attacking entrenched positions. I also foresee a need for adequate fallback positions, since the enemy can concentrate forces more effectively than we can at the moment. The more they can destroy or control infrastructure throughout the area, the more it limits our future offensive operations.

Your Obedient Servant,
Lt. Gen. Scott

[Jabberwock]

Executive Mansion
Washington, August 18, 1861

To: Major General Kurtz

Sir -

Would it be possible to assign Burnside to headquarters duty, giving Keyes (currently at HQ) command of the reaction force?

[Jabberwock]

Executive Mansion
Washington, August 24, 1861

To: Maj. Generals Cai & Kurtz

Gentlemen -

Due to recruiting activities in Chicago and Baltimore, I have been able to add two regiments of volunteers (mustering in Maryland) to my recent proposal.

I have ordered Sec. Welles to concentrate on the Richmond Blockade, the Potomac Crossing, and scouting in the Lower Rappahanock. This is at the expense of interdiction efforts in the Chesapeake.

[Jabberwock]

Executive Mansion
Washington, August 25, 1861

To: Major General Cai
Copy to: Sec. Welles

Sir -

It occurs to me that my missive of the 16th inst. may have addressed too many issues, causing confusion about one particular priority - the enlistment and mustering processes, and that orders regarding these processes may not have been passed along to local commanders.

Cavalry and artillery should not use the same facilities. No regiment should be assigned to local defenses until it has completed both processes. If each regiment can complete these processes separately, it would help speed deployment overall. Please look into delays in deployment caused by these issues, so that we can deploy our regiments into the field more efficiently in the future.

Gideon, please address similar issues in regards to shipbuilding and naval deployment.

[AndrewKurtz]

CiC East
Somewhere west of Alexandria

August 24th, 1861

General Scott,

Troops still available for attack on Norfolk, lead by General Burnside. During the next two weeks, available troops will be moved to a designated launching point. Please specify where said troops should rendevous with supply, transports and escorts. Attack to launch late September with goal of securing Norfolk by early winter.

General Kurtz

[Jabberwock]

War Department
Washington, August 26, 1861

From: Lt. General Scott
To: Major General Kurtz

Sir -

The New England volunteers have been released to your command. Move sufficient forces, in your judgement, to Fort Monroe, that when combined with the forces at Fort Monroe they can hold that point and take Norfolk. Move them by the most efficient means at your disposal. If you require transport, you should inform the Navy Department of your requirements. We have been assured of their full cooperation. The Norfolk expedition will be under command of either General Mansfield or General Keyes, at your discretion, and under your direction.

Release General Burnside to the command of General Cai, and inform General Cai that he is available for reassignment.

Move your choice of either the 1st Rhode Island Brigade or 6th Delaware Brigade into the fortifications created by the 1st Pennsylvania Brigade, prior to issuing any additional orders to that brigade.

These are peremptory orders.

Your Obedient Servant,
Lt. Gen. Winfield Scott

[Jabberwock]

War Department
Washington, August 26, 1861

From: Lt. General Scott
To: Major General Cai

Sir -

General McClellan's services are required in the east. Release him to the command of General Kurtz, and inform General Kurtz that he is available for reassignment.

Your Obedient Servant,
Lt. General Winfield Scott

[Jabberwock]

War Department
Washington, September 1, 1861

From: Lt. General Scott
To: Major General Kurtz

Sir -

After reviewing the latest training and readiness reports from the 6th Delaware, I have determined that brigade is not suitable for entrenchment duties in Franklin, PA. Use the 1st Rhode Island brigade for that purpose. Use the 6th Delaware as you see fit. The 2nd Maryland and the 8th Volunteers (Maryland) are also suitable for entrenching or garrison duties. Continue to compile detailed reports on the progress of entrenchments across Maryland and southeastern Pennsylvania, for presentation to the President as soon as they are available.

The Union Brigade should be assigned to the 5th Division, where it can be brigaded with the USMC Regiment.

Please ensure that all enlistment and mustering duties are handled in the same manner as the President has specified for General Cai.

Now that additional cavalry are available and the Virginia & Tennesee railroad is broken, we need to break each of the major rail lines through Virginia. The primary targets are the Orange and Alexandria Railroad behind Manassas and the Valley Railroad between Covington and Staunton. Secondary targets should include the Manassas Gap Railroad either east or west of Front Royal, the Weldon Railroad south of Richmond, and the Richmond and Fredericksburg Railroad. Please present planned routes for some of your cavalry regiments to achieve these objectives as soon as possible. Coordinated simultaneous strikes will increase the chances of survival for all units involved. Raids in locations that allow the disruption of two rail lines simultaneously are favored.

The rebel cavalry regiment that was at Romney, has fallen back through Moorefield. They are believed to be patrolling somewhere between the latter point and Staunton.

Due to the precarious position of the US Cavalry regiment at Liberty, surrounded on the east, west, and north by at least five enemy cavalry regiments; I would suggest either evasive maneuvers to the west, across the mountains, in the direction of Charleston, WV ... or a daring and unexpected assault on Lexington and/or Charlotte, NC, hopefully drawing some of those forces in pursuit, followed by an escape to the transports (USS Theodore and Barbarian) which will be waiting in the Santee River.

[Jabberwock]

War Department
Washington, September 1, 1861

From: Lt. General Scott
To: Major General Cai

Sir -

Recent developments in Western Virginia require use of regular troops from Ohio to immediately control the situation there. Please continue to provide your fullest cooperation and support to General Kurtz in that area, and coordinate your activities there with him.

Please occupy Prestonburg; continue to attack raiders in the area; and either patrol the Ohio River to prevent their escape, or patrol the Monongahela River to prevent further mischief in that area.

[Jabberwock]

War Department
Washington, September 1, 1861

From: Lt. General Scott
To: Major General Cai

Sir -

Please send sufficient cavalry forces immediately into the Indian Territory for an attack into Arkansas, while the weather holds. Retain or reassign sufficent forces in eastern Missouri to chase down the enemy raiders. It is expected that you will be able to intercept enemy forces at Union, Ironton, or Charleston.

[Jabberwock]

War Department
Washington, September 2, 1861

From: Lt. General Scott
To: Major Generals Kurtz and Cai

Sirs -

The enemy division at Grafton consists of 4 regiments of infantry and 2 light artillery batteries. Additional cavalry reinforcements are expected. Please coordinate on a plan to secure the area as soon as possible, preferably cutting off lines of retreat (through Beverly, Rawlesburg, Sutton, and Millboro) prior to or simultaneously with an assault. I would suggest organizing assault forces at Wheeling or Mannington, proceeding to Beverly, and attacking from the south; but other views on how to proceed are invited.

[AndrewKurtz]

CiC East
Somewhere west of Alexandria

September 2th, 1861

General Scott,

Have ordered continued entrenchment and concentration of forces across the main front. In reviewing the enemy dispositions, consider current risk of an enemy attack along the Potomac or valley low.

Have ordered two additional concentrations of forces.

First, have ordered forces to Ft. Monroe to both hold the fort and attack the Norfolk area. These forces are being assigned to General Mansfield.

Second, have ordered a concentration of forces at Wheeling to deal with the enemy incursion into western Virginia. Request permission to order General Burnside to take control of these forces. Once Grafton is releived, General Burnside can be released for Western duty.

Cavalry forces have been ordered to positions where they can support against existing raids or, should the opportunity present itself, raid rail deep in enemy territory. Existing raiding force has been ordered to join with the cavalry protecting the rail to the east of Grafton.

Have ordered General Burnside to Wheeling in anticipation of your reply. Should you decide General Burnside must continue west, please inform General Cai to forward an appropriate general to lead the forces in Wheeling.

Best regards,
General Kurtz

[johnnycai]

West Theatre HQ.
St. Louis, Sept3, 1861

From: Major General Cai
To: President Lincoln, Lt. Gen. Scott & Maj. Gen. Kurtz

Mr. President, General Scott, General Kurtz,

The rebels seem to holding back in the West theatre or are resolved to have the Union forces commit first and plan to counter or strike in another direction.
The unfortunate situation at Grafton will be countered. I have 2-3 brigades with artillery ready to to rail to the West of Grafton. Can General Kurtz arrange for his forces to meet me there. General Kurtz, please advise if you need any W. Virginian towns garrissoned by the newly raised Ohio militia.
Prestonburg will be assaulted with a small brigade, as will Clarksburg by the cavalry in Cincinnati.
[McC] has been ordered via rail to Washington, shall he be routed toward Grafton to lead the forces in the area?
I have planned to march the MO cavalry south of Rollo toward Madison Ark., perhaps a diversion for the upcoming assault on Ft. Donelson/Henry or Bowling Green. The cavalry at JeffCity will be ordered to the Indian territories to pillage and burn those outposts should they be lightly defended.
Halleck will be ordered to assume local command of St. Louis troops and Lyon will be sent back to St. Louis where naval transport will take his division to Cairo in preparation for our main Western campaign objectives. This assualt requires our river ironclads so my planning is geared to that schedule as they are still under construct.
Next month, the forces gathering at Cincinnati will be launched at Lexington while Hunter/Porter will provide the operational reserve and ensure Louisville remains under Union control.

respectfully,
General Cai

[Jabberwock]

War Department
Washington, September 3, 1861

From: Lt. General Scott
To: Major Generals Cai & Kurtz

Sirs -

General Cai will issue orders for General Burnside to take command of the Capitol Defense Forces. I will take personal command of the outer defenses of Washington. I require the temporary assistance of General Butler in that regard. General Kurtz will issue orders for his transfer. General McClellan should be sent directly to Alexandria, taking field command of the forces there upon his arrival.

General Hooker (taking one of the light brigades of his 2nd division with him) may command the assault on Grafton. In that case, General Keyes should take command and form a new division at Frederick. If, in General Kurtz's judgement, Hooker's specific talents are required at Frederick, then General Keyes and/or one of the brigadier generals currently in Kentucky or Indiana may command the assault on Grafton. It would be preferable to have two generals available for that assault.

General Kurtz will also provide defense in depth in Maryland and southeastern Pennsylvania, using small Volunteer brigades to create the necessary fortifications. This will provide the security needed to immediately defend the area, to protect the railroads from raiders, and to deter enemy counter-offensives once our forces are sufficiently organized to go on the offensive. By direction of the President, we will not go over to a general offensive in Maryland or Virginia without these preparations.

If it is necessary to re-issue orders, then do so. If additional communication is required, requested, or desired, then do so. In the future I expect two-way communication prior to any issuance of orders. If necessary, I will personally issue these specific orders. If it is necessary for me to take personal temporary command of enlistment activities, I will do that as well.

[Jabberwock]

War Department
Washington, September 3, 1861

From: Lt. General Scott
To: Major General Kurtz

Sir -

I require details of your cavalry dispositions and plans. We cannot await raiding opportunities in Virginia, we must create them. There are now sufficient cavalry forces available for both defensive and offensive operations.

General Burnside has been ordered to another department. He has been instructed to obey orders that are received through his proper chain of command.

The raiding force currently at Liberty, VA is in need of resupply. They will not find supplies east of Grafton, and would likely be intercepted and captured en route, as the enemy will be expecting them to retreat north. My suggestions were crafted with those details in mind. Please reconsider their planned orders in that regard.

Your Obedient Servant,
Lt. General Winfield Scott

[Jabberwock]

War Department
Washington, September 4, 1861

From: Lt. General Scott
To: Major General Cai

Sir -

Would it be possible for General Hunter, General Porter, or General Wallace to command the Lexington expedition or assist the West Virginia expedition?

Also, please inform me in more detail of your plans to finish off understrength raider units.

[johnnycai]

West Theatre HQ.
St. Louis, Sept9, 1861

From: Major General Cai
To: President Lincoln, Lt. Gen. Scott & Maj. Gen. Kurtz

Mr. President, General Scott, General Kurtz,
I go personnally to attend the matters at Grafton immediately with General Wallace.
General Banks has been assigned to NYCity where he is tasked with raising troops.
Raids into Arkansas and the Indian territories have been ordered. Kentucky will have to wait for now.

Sincerely,
General Cai

[Jabberwock]

Executive Mansion
Washington, September 9, 1861

To: Major General Cai

Sir -

I appreciate your personal attention to the Grafton matter, as well as the loan of General Wallace and the Ohio troops. You are welcome to accompany the expedition as long as it does not interfere with your ability to communicate with Washington or troops in your own department.

We will sort out whether the troops should remain and whether departmental lines should be redrawn (possibly adding parts of Ohio to the eastern division or parts of Western Virginia to the western division), once the immediate situation is under control. In the meantime, please act only in an advisory capacity to General Kurtz's designated commander, pending my receipt of his wishes in this regard. I invite your opinion as to possibly redrawing those lines. I will also ask for General Kurtz's opinion. You are invited to discuss that and any other pertinent matters between yourselves as well.

[Jabberwock]

Executive Mansion
Washinton, September 9, 1861

To: Major General Kurtz

Sir -

General Cai has offered the services of General Wallace to the Grafton expedition, and also offered to accompany the expedition himself. I have directed that he act only in an advisory capacity in that case, pending further communication in regards to your wishes. Please find out from him what specific units are availabe, designate to him how you would like troops deployed as they cross into the east, and inform him, General Scott, and me of your choice for a field commander. If command arrangements outside the scope of this directive are made between yourself and General Cai, keep General Scott and me informed.

This situation has called our attention to a possible need for redrawing the borders between the Military Division of the East and the Military Division of the West in regards to Ohio and Virginia west of the Alleghany Mountains. Please collaborate with General Cai on the most efficient way of doing this, if you mutually decide it should be done, and present your opinions to me. If you mutually decide that it is not desirable, I will need to know that as well.

[Jabberwock]

Executive Mansion
Washington, September 10, 1861

To: Maj. Generals Cai & Kurtz

Gentlemen -

Here is the proposal regarding recruitment and purchasing for the second half of September. I apologize for the delay in getting this out, as it may affect planned orders:

Unassigned:

• none

From the governors of the states:

East

• New Jersey - 3 bttys. Napoleons
• Maryland - 2 rgts. Cavalry

Total - 2 Cav., 3 12lb. bttys.

West

• Ohio - 1 rgt. SS, 1 rgt. Cavalry
• Missouri - 3 sqdns. gunboats

Total - 1 SS., 1 Cav., 3 gunboats

Naval/Amphibious

• Connecticut - 1 rgt. Cavalry

Total - 1 Cav.

Economic Development

• 10 Locomotives
• 20 Steamboats
• moderate investment in New Mexico

This leaves us with enough money and personnel to form two new divisions, one for each theater. I would suggest that Generals Wallace and Keyes immediately create skeleton division organizations with some of the troops readily available before reporting to new assignments. For the future, please keep me informed of your desires for new divisions, so that I can budget for them more specifically.

I have budgeted an additional surplus for rail repair. We continue to have a surplus of supplies.

If you concur with this proposal, please endorse. Endorsement consists of a message stating "Your proposal of the 10th inst. received and endorsed." This courtesy simply lets me know that it has been read, and that you concur with the suggestions it contains, prior to my forwarding orders to the various administrative departments. If you do not concur or you have concerns, discuss, as we have in the past.

[Jabberwock]

Executive Mansion
Washington, September 10, 1861

To: Generals Cai, Kurtz, & Scott; Secretary Welles; Asst. Sec. Fox

Gentlemen -

Please note the new detailed policy on amphibious troops. Most of these troops should be easily identifiable by state designations, as they will be drawn largely from New England. Some naval or marine brigades will also be designated for amphibious operations.

Amphibious troops will be under command of the appropriate theater commander once they have landed in hostile territory or other specific notification has been issued. The Naval officer commanding any expedition may determine if allowing the appropriate army commander to direct the landing operation is desirable. Naval transport is expected to remain nearby in the case that a rapid withdrawal is necessary, also in the case of a planned diversionary raid. In either case, upon reboarding naval transport, troops will operate under command of the navy until again released. Theater commanders are expected to coordinate land operations of these troops with the Navy Department unless a specific permanent release has been issued. Troops not specifically designated as amphibious, but using naval transport, will be under naval command only while in transit, unless other specific instructions are issued by the theater CinC.

[Jabberwock]

Navy Department
Washington, September 11, 1861

From: Sec. Welles
To: Major General Kurtz

Sir -

If you require naval transport for either the Irish Brigade in New York, or the California Brigade in Philadelphia, it is available. If so, please indicate destinations for those transports. Additional transports from Brooklyn are being ordered to Fort Monroe, pending an indication of your needs.

[Jabberwock]

War Department
Washington, September 11, 1861

From: Lt. General Scott
To: Major General Kurtz

Sir -

General Cai has ordered the First Michigan brigade to proceed from Lawrence, OH to Fairmont, WV; in the vicinity of Grafton. They are expected to arrive on September 23, if the rail lines are intact. In the likely event that the rail lines have been interrupted, their arrival is expected on the 29th instant. General Wallace's new 6th division of Indiana troops have received similar orders. They are expected to arrive by rail in Fairmont on the 29th inst., ... or the 6th prox. if the rail lines have been interrupted. Neither unit has orders to attack Grafton.

If these orders do not suit your needs, please have additional orders to redirect those troops issued and waiting for them upon their arrival at Wheeling. These are General Cai's troops, but will be operating temporarily under your command, pending further direction from this office or the President in that regard. Instructions to that effect are being sent to the field commanders (General Wallace, Colonels Grisham, Lewis, & Samuel).

Pending direction from the President, further orders will be issued to clarify the proper chain of command for the 6th, 10th, and 13th Ohio Militia brigades, currently garrisoning the south bank of the Ohio River.

It is not specifically required that General Keyes create a division with the Washington Brigade prior to his deployment into the field. That is left to your discretion. The resources are available should you choose to do so.

[AndrewKurtz]

CiC East
Somewhere west of Alexandria

September 2th, 1861

General Scott,

Please clarify seemingly conflicting orders. Previous agreement that we needed corps commanders in the east. However, now other orders seem to be in place for the only two corps commaders available. What are the current orders for General Banks and Butler?

Also, is Meagher and the Irish Bridgade under my command? Are they currently allocated for any purpose, or may they by used for the attack on Norfolk?

General Kurtz

[Jabberwock]

War Department
Washington, September 11, 1861

From: Lt. General Scott
To: Major General Kurtz

Sir -

General Banks will be performing recruitment duties in New York City.

General Butler will be transfered to the outer defenses of Washington, to help organize those defenses. His services will only be required here for a few days. Once that is done he will be available for field command. The sooner he arrives here, the sooner he will be available.

General McClellan has been placed under your command. His current orders are to proceed to Washington, but you may modify those orders. Since the largest portion of our army is stationed around Alexandria, I suggest using his training abilities there.

The Irish Brigade is under your command, and may certainly be used for the attack on Norfolk. Please inform Secretary Welles of your specific requirements as to their immediate destination.

Amphibious cavalry raids based out of Baltimore, either prior to or simultaneous with that attack, could temporarily prevent enemy reinforcements from reaching Norfolk. Sec. Welles has informed me that transports are available for that purpose, if it suits your plans. A raid at Culpeper or Charlottesville could also prove helpful, if some of our right-flank cavalry can reach there in time without engaging large enemy forces. If not, these movements could still delay enemy troops moving back to the front lines from the direction of Norfolk.

Your Obedient Servant,
Gen. Scott

[AndrewKurtz]

CiC East
Somewhere west of Alexandria

September 12th, 1861

General Scott,

Meagher and forces have been ordered to Ft. Monroe, onboard two transports to support future operations, along with other forces deemed necessary to hold Ft. Monroe and launch attack on Norfolk.

Forces have been ordered to Grafton to meet with Wallaces forces. Expect to launch attack to repel rebel force at the end of September. Once the rebels have been expelled, Wallace and force will be return to General Cai.

Butler orders to DC and at your disposal for the organization of the forces in DC.

McClellan ordered to Alexandria to take overall command of a corps to be made up of the 4th and 5th divisions.

Further entrenchment by forces along the Potomac. Cavalry moved to Ft. Tobacco as jump-off point of cavalry raid in support of Norfolk attack.

General Kurtz

[Jabberwock]

Navy Department
Washington, September 12, 1861

From: Sec. Welles
To: Major General Kurtz

Sir -

You may have some issues with bypassing the 1st NC Brigade at Hampton Roads. Upon your request, I can have the James River fleet return to Baltimore for resupply in October, hopefully drawing the fire of that brigade's batteries, to which we will reply, alleviating this problem, although not solving it entirely.

[Jabberwock]

War Department
Washington, September 13, 1861

From: Lt. General Scott
To: Major General Kurtz

Sir -

Colonel Twain's 1st MD brigade remains idle near Baltimore, and the 6th Delaware inside Wilmington. In both locations, other units have made considerable progress on entrenchments, while these units have not. I would like your permission to order the 6th Delaware to join McDowell's command in place of the 20th MD Volunteers (now departing Salisbury), leaving the 20th MD free to move to Carlisle, PA, and begin work on entrenchments there. I would like to order Colonel Twain's command to Adams County, PA, to begin work on entrenchments there, until a more suitable brigade can be found for that task. Once a more suitable brigade is found, the 1st MD can move into some of the fortifications that you have cavalry preparing closer to the front line, freeing those units for more appropriate tasks.

Additional volunteers will be made available in the next month for the express purpose of systematically fortifying the general area. This is at the expense of other priorities.

Please reply at your earliest convenience.

Your Obedient Servant,
Winfield Scott

[AndrewKurtz]

CiC East
Somewhere west of Alexandria

September 13th, 1861

General Scott,

Permission granted.

General Kurtz

[Jabberwock]

War Department
Washington, September 13, 1861

From: Lt. General Scott
To: Major General Kurtz

Sir -

Thank you.