Description:

Henry W. Halleck
St. Louis, MO, March 6 and 7, 1862
Gen. Halleck Telegraphs (2) on Corinth Strategy & Friction w/ Buell Before Shiloh
ALS

Henry W. Halleck autograph telegraphs (2) signed to Thomas A. Scott, Assistant Secretary of War. 4pp. (2 sheets), 5.25" x 8.5"; St. Louis, Missouri; March 6 and 7, 1862. In these two hastily written telegraphs marked to be sent "in cipher", General Halleck conveys his strategic assessments of Union operations against Confederate concentrations at Corinth and their defense line from Island No. 10 to Chattanooga. Written in pencil. With wear and soiling along the folds, resulting in minor separations. Exceptional content outlining Halleck's real-time strategic thinking in the critical weeks before Shiloh.

From the collection of Larry Berra, son of baseball legend Yogi Berra.

Halleck's first telegraph, dated March 6, 1862, reads:

"Your letters were sent to Nashville several days ago.

It is reported that Beauregard has twenty thousand men at Corinth & is fortifying. If so he will make a Manassas of it. It Is his best point to cover Memphis & Chattanooga. What a mistake that [Don Carlos] Buell did not send forces to move with us up the Tennessee, so as to sieze [sic] that point, [Charles F.] Smith has gone to do it but I fear it is too late & that he is too weak. I cannot make Buell understand the importance of strategic points until it is too late.

H.H. Halleck / Major Genl."

Written just weeks after Union victories at Forts Henry and Donelson, Halleck warns that P. G. T. Beauregard is concentrating forces at Corinth, Mississippi, a vital railroad junction. Fearing it may become a heavily fortified stronghold "like Manassas," he emphasizes the urgency of seizing the position before Confederate forces under Albert Sidney Johnston can consolidate. His frustration with Don Carlos Buell is evident, criticizing his failure to coordinate an advance up the Tennessee River that might have secured Corinth at an earlier moment.

He reports further the following day:

"I telegraphed to Genl Buell to reinforce me as strongly as possible at or near Savanna. Their line of defence is now an oblique one extending from Island No 10 to Decatur or Chattanooga. Having destroyed the R.R. & bridges in his rear [Albert Sidney] Johnston cannot return to Nashville. We must again pierce his centre at Savanna or Florence. Buell should move immediately & not come in too late as he did at Donelson. I wish a demonstration on Island No 10 as soon as possible to try the effect of the mortar boats. The gunboats should not seriously expose themselves. If the place is strong, it must be turned in the same manner as Bowling Green & Columbus.

H.H. Halleck / Major Genl."

The March 7, 1862 telegraph presents a concise strategic overview of the Western Theater: Halleck identifies Johnston's forces as stretched along an overextended defensive line and argues that it can be broken by a coordinated Union advance. He stresses the importance of Buell reinforcing the movement up the Tennessee River toward Savannah or Florence, where he believes the Confederate center (anchored on Corinth) is vulnerable, while calling for a limited demonstration against Island No. 10 to fix enemy forces.

These expectations played out dramatically at the Battle of Shiloh (April 6–7, 1862). Before Buell's army could fully unite with Ulysses S. Grant, Johnston struck first, launching a surprise Confederate attack near Pittsburg Landing. The first day saw heavy Union losses and near collapse, but Buell's timely arrival during the night allowed Union forces to counterattack on April 7. Johnston was killed during the fighting, and the Confederates (under Beauregard) withdrew to Corinth. The battle ended in a strategic Union victory, validating Halleck's focus on the Tennessee River advance and Corinth, as well as his fears about delayed coordination, as Buell's slower movement nearly proved disastrous.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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