| Headquarters Forrest's Cavalry |
| Okolona |
| July 17, 1864 |
| |
| [General S. D. Lee] |
| |
| General, |
| ***** |
| In the event the enemy does not threaten
any immediate movement against us, I respectfully suggest that
Roddey's command remain or be encamped at Tupelo, Mabry's at or near
Camargo, and Buford's and Chalmers' divisions and Neely's brigade be
sent in the neighborhood of Pikeville, on Chuckatouchee Creek, to be
fitted up, rested, and reorganized. With this disposition of the
command, at least 100 captured negroes now getting up forage can be
placed at work on the railroad {must mean the
Mobile & Ohio RR}, and in a short time have it open and
running to Corinth. |
| ***** |
| The manifest indisposition of the
management of the Mobile & Ohio road to do anything unless aided
by the army, renders it very certain that if the road is desired we
shall have to furnish the labor necessary to repair it, otherwise if
the troops are not drawn back to the forage our teams will
necessarily be run down in hauling it to the commands, and the
negroes also be required to handle it along the railroad and place
it on cars to be sent forward as far as the road can carry it. As
soon as the road is repaired, General Roddey, with his command, can
occupy Corinth
again, if it is desirable to do so. |
| ***** |
| I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient
servant, |
| N. B. Forrest |
| Major-General |
|