| Headquarters Porter's Partisans |
| Holly Spring |
| June 6, 1862 |
| |
| General G. T. Beauregard |
| Commanding Western Department |
| |
| General, |
| Acting under your
orders, I have caused to be burned in Fayette, Shelby, and Tipton
Counties, Tennessee, and Marshall and De Soto Counties, Mississippi,
upwards of 30,000 bales of cotton. My men have met with but little
opposition. In obedience to your order I caused to be removed from
Somerville, Tenn., to this place, when I felt constrained to fall
back, two wagon loads of harness and four wagons and teams belonging
to Confederate States.
|
| My scouts have just
returned from the vicinities of Somerville, Bolivar, and Grand
Junction. They report the enemy advancing from Bolivar toward Grand
Junction.
|
| The operator at Grand
Junction telegraphed late this evening that the head of the column
was at Middleburg, advancing on Grand Junction. It occurred to me
their purpose was to get possession of the Government Armory at this
place. I have advised the officer in charge of the armory to pack up
all guns on hand and to be ready to remove the machinery at a
moment's notice.
|
| The president of the Mississippi Central Railroad
will afford every facility for the removal of all valuable property. |
| Shall I continue to
burn cotton likely to fall into the hands of the enemy? In case the
enemy advances toward this place shall I burn bridges on the
Mississippi Central Railroad? If they advance from Grand Junction
toward Memphis, shall I burn bridges on the Memphis & Charleston
Railroad?
|
| Since my company was
raised, by authority of the Secretary of War, issued before the
conscript law, I have been so constantly occupied with carrying out your orders that I
have had no opportunity to draw clothing, arms, or equipments. May I
draw them at the first place I find them?
|
| I have 150 men,
almost all large planters. I have applications every day for
membership. May I
increase my command to 300 or 500?
|
| For character,
qualifications, and energy, I respectfully refer to Col. Thomas
Peters, brigade quartermaster to General Polk; Brig. Gen. Jones M.
Withers (as to faithfulness); Maj. Gen. John C. Breckinridge (for
character). If necessary I can multiply references.
|
| Hoping that the
responsibilities I have assumed may meet with your approbation and
that you will give me definite instructions as to what you wish me
to do, I remain,
|
| Ed. E. Porter |
| Captain |