| Atlanta |
| December 5, 1863 |
| |
| Lieutenant-Colonel Presstman |
| Army of Tennessee |
| |
| Colonel, |
| I desire to call your attention to the
importance of establishing at the earliest day possible defenses for
the protection of the railroad bridges in the rear of the army
against cavalry raids. Experience has shown conclusively that a
small closed work located within the minié range of the bridge is
decidedly the most reliable protection. Open works and lines of
rifle-pits do not give a sense of security to small bodies of
troops, such as we must depend upon for the safety of bridges, as
the men are liable to panics on the approach of cavalry,
apprehending movements to take them in reverse, and will desert
their positions at the critical moment. It is desirable that the
troops stationed at a bridge should live within the defensive work;
and to secure this it is well, when practicable, to have them
quartered in common log huts, which can be so placed as to form a
part of the work itself, having loop-holes prepared through the
outer wall for musketry. In each work it will be well to arrange for
a couple of pieces of light artillery, say 6-pounders or light
howitzers. For a rough sketch, showing the plan of a work, see the
following. |
| In the plan a line of shanties with
loop-holes is sketched in for two fronts, which will generally be
sufficient; but should additional shelter be required, a third or
even a fourth front may be occupied in like manner; where the
shanties are not built earthen parapets to be built. A ditch
sufficient to resist cavalry should extend around the whole
inclosure. Each bastion should be arranged for a field piece, as
light artillery can be readily moved from one to the other. The
square form need not be adhered to in all cases; the configuration
of the ground must govern as to form. |
| I think the works for protecting the
bridges should be built without delay. |
| I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient
servant, |
| J. F. Gilmer |
| Major-General and Chief Engineer |
|