A.  Halleck first accuses Grant of mismanagement within his command.

Saint Louis, Mo., March 3, [received?] 1862.

General GEORGE B. MCCLELLAN,  Washington, D.C.:

General Pope will attack New Madrid to-morrow. At the same time here will be a bombardment of Columbus.

I have had no communication with General Grant for more than a week. He left his command without my authority and went to Nashville. His army seems to be as much demoralized by the victory of Fort Donelson as was that of the Potomac by the defeat of Bull Run. It is hard to censure a successful general immediately after a victory, but I think he richly deserves it. I can get no returns, no reports, no information of any kind from him. Satisfied with his victory, he sits down and enjoys it without any regard to the future. I am worn-out and tired with this neglect and inefficiency. C.F. Smith is almost the only officer equal to the emergency.

                                    H. W. HALLECK.

B.  McClellan replies, supporting Halleck's concerns.

WASHINGTON, March 3, 1862--6 p.m.

Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK,  Saint Louis:

Your dispatch of last evening received. The future success of our cause demands that proceedings such as Grant's should at once be checked. Generals must observe discipline as well as private soldiers. Do not hesitate to arrest him at once if the good of the service requires it, and place C. F. Smith in command. You are at liberty to regard this as a positive order if it will smooth your way.

I appreciate the difficulties you have to encounter, and will be glad to relieve you from trouble as far as possible.

                                GEO. B. McCLELLAN,

 Major-General, Commanding U.S. Army.

Approved:

                                EDWIN M. STANTON,

 Secretary of War.

C.  Halleck reports a rumor that Grant has resumed his "former bad habits," and suggests that this might explain the mismanagement within Grant's command.  No one has ever substantiated that such a rumor existed, and Halleck never brings the subject up, again.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI,
Saint Louis, March 4, 1862.

Major-General MCCLELLAN,  Washington:

A rumor has just reached me that since the taking of Fort Donelson General Grant has resumed his former bad habits. If so, it will account for his neglect of my often-repeated orders. I do not deem it advisable to arrest him at present, but have placed General Smith in command of the expedition up the Tennessee. I think Smith will restore order and discipline.

I hear unofficially, but from a reliable source, that our forces took possession of Columbus this morning, the enemy falling back to Island No. 10 and New Madrid. I am expecting official telegram hourly.

                              H. W. HALLECK,

 Major-General.

D. Halleck orders Grant to put Brig. Gen. C.F. Smith in command of the developing expedition up the Tennessee River, then asks Grant why has he not obeyed orders.   

SAINT LOUIS, March 4, 1862.

Maj. Gen. U.S. GRANT,  Fort Henry:

You will place Maj. Gen. C. F. Smith in command of expedition, and remain yourself at Fort Henry. Why do you not obey my orders to report strength and positions of your command?

                              H. W. HALLECK,

 Major-General.

E.  Grant passes the command on to Smith.  We need to keep in mind that Smith was Commandant of Cadets while Grant was at West Point, and all indications are that Grant admired Smith, greatly.  Thus the sincerity of the comments in the final paragraph.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF WEST TENNESSEE,
Fort Henry, March 5, 1862.

Maj. Gen. C. F. SMITH,  Fort Henry, Tenn.:

By directions from headquarters Department of the Missouri you have been assigned to the command of the expedition up the Tennessee River. For instructions, see inclosed letter from Major-General Halleck.

Information that seems to be reliable places the rebel forces at Eastport and Corinth at 20,000 men, with rolling stock between the two places sufficient to throw all the troops to either place in a short time.

If this should prove true, I can hardly say what course should be pursued to carry out the instructions. A general engagement is to be avoided, while the bridges are to be destroyed, if possible. The idea probably is there must be no defeat, and rather than risk one it would be better to retreat.

I will remain at Fort Henry and throw forward all the troops that can be provided with transportation. The commissary of subsistence is directed to take along 300,000 rations, and all the forage here is to go. It will probably be necessary to procure forage on the road.

Allow me to congratulate you on your richly-deserved promotion, and to assure you that no one can feel more pleasure than myself.

U.S. GRANT,

 Major-General, Commanding.

F.  Further orders from Grant to Smith.  Grant is not under arrest (as some claim), but confined to Fort Henry, with Smith commanding the active expedition.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF WEST TENNESSEE,
Fort Henry, March 5, 1862.

Maj. Gen. C. F. SMITH,  Fort Donelson, Tenn.:

By direction of Major-General Halleck, you will take command of the entire expedition and carry out the instructions of the department commander, while I am directed to remain at Fort Henry. I am now having arrangements made for embarking troops as rapidly as possible, but with the present stage of water it must take several days to embark them.

I have sent orders to-day for three regiments from Clarksville and all the troops at Donelson except Oglesby's brigade. I will be here when you arrive and give you all the information I am in possession of.

U.S. GRANT,

 Major-General, Commanding.

G.      Grant wants Smith to come to Fort Henry, probably so Smith can learn what Grant's plans were for the upriver campaign.  (The published OR gives no timing for these three messages sent on the same day.  The Publisher has ordered them as they appear in the OR.)

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF WEST TENNESSEE,
Fort Henry, March 5, 1862.

Maj. Gen. C. F. SMITH,
Commanding U.S. Forces, Clarksville, Tenn.:

By directions just received from headquarters of department you are to take command of the expedition which I designed commanding in person. You will repair to Fort Henry with as little delay as practicable.

 U.S. GRANT,

H. Here Grant tells Halleck that he has given command of the expedition to Smith, and after some details asserts that he is  "not aware of ever having disobeyed any order from headquarters" and then goes on at some length defending/explaining himself.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF WEST TENNESSEE,
Fort Donelson, March 5, 1862. (Received March 9.)

Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK,  Saint Louis, Mo.:

Your dispatch of yesterday is just received. Troops will be sent, under command of Major-General Smith, as directed. I had prepared a different plan, intending General Smith to command the forces which would go to Paris and Humboldt, while I would command the expedition upon Eastport, Corinth, and Jackson in person. Information received this morning, however, would have changed my plan, even if your orders had not done it. Forces going to Eastport must go prepared to meet a force of 20,000 men. This will take all my available troops after garrisoning Clarksville, Forts Donelson and Henry.

By your instructions I do not know whether I am to abandon Clarksville entirely or not. There are some stores there and heavy ordnance that must be disposed of before the place can be abandoned.

I am not aware of ever having disobeyed any order from headquarters---certainly never intended such a thing. I have reported almost daily the condition of my command and reported every position occupied. I have not, however, been able to get returns from all the troops, from which to consolidate a return for department headquarters. All have come in except from General Smith's command at Clarksville----five small regiments of infantry and two companies of artillery. The general has probably been unable to get his in consequence of being ordered to Nashville by General Buell. General Smith has been relieved by General Buell, and was ordered immediately to the Tennessee by me.

As soon as I was notified that General Smith had been ordered to Nashville I reported the fact, and sent a copy of Buell's order. My reports have nearly all been made to General Cullum, chief of staff, and it may be that many of them were not thought of sufficient importance to forward more than a telegraphic synopsis of.

The Tennessee is now so high that there are but few points on the river where troops can be embarked. Fort Henry is under water. The water is about 6 feet deep inside the fort. The continuous rains have made it almost impossible to get from Fort Donelson to the Tennessee. It is now very difficult to get across the country. I will leave at Fort Donelson four regiments of infantry, all of them very small, having suffered severely at Donelson, and from sickness since. I will leave two regiments at Clarksville until further directions are received. I have forty-six infantry regiments, three cavalry regiments, and eight independent companies, and ten batteries of light artillery. The average available strength of regiments fit for the field is about 500 men.

In conclusion, I will say that you may rely on my carrying out your instructions in every particular to the very best of my ability.

 U.S. GRANT,

Major-general.

I.  Halleck informs Grant that McClellan has ordered Grant, like a disobedient school-boy, to report the strength and positions of his troops to Halleck daily.  Halleck also mentions  that he was advised to place Grant under arrest [See Vol. VII, pp. 679—683]. 

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI,
Saint Louis, March 6, 1862.

Major-General GRANT,  Fort Henry, Tenn.:

General McClellan directs that you report to me daily the number and positions of the forces under your command. Your neglect of repeated orders to report the strength of your command has created great dissatisfaction and seriously interfered with military plans. Your going to Nashville without authority, and when your presence with your troops was of the utmost importance was a matter of very serious complaint at Washington, so much so that I was advised to arrest you on your return.

H. W. HALLECK,

Major-General.

J. Halleck here presents Grant with a letter from David Davis, who had been instrumental in getting President Lincoln nominated as the Republican Party candidate in 1860, and who would, by the end of the year, nominated as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.  The letter speaks of and to a number of irregularities within Grant's command.  Grant responds, a few days later (March 11; see U., below). 

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI,
Saint Louis, March 6, 1862.

Maj. Gen. U.S. GRANT,
Fort Henry, Tenn.:

I inclose herewith a copy of a letter addressed to Judge Davis, president of the Western Investigating Commission. Judge Davis says the writer is a man of integrity and perfectly reliable.

The want of order and discipline and the numerous irregularities in your command since the capture of Fort Donelson are matters of general notoriety, and have attracted the serious attention of the authorities at Washington Unless these things are immediately corrected I am directed to relieve you of the command.

                              H. W. HALLECK,

Major-general.

[ Inclosure.]

CAIRO, March 2, 1862.

Hon. DAVID DAVIS,  Saint Louis:

DEAR SIR: As you are engaged in the business of investigating army contracts and frauds practiced on the Government, it may not be out of place for me to state a few facts as they have been told to me, and that by parties most interested. At the taking of Fort Henry there was a large amount of sugar, coffee, and rice captured, besides a lot of horses, wagons, and other property. Now I would like to know who is to take charge of the property captured from the enemy. In the case above mentioned the property went into the hands of the quartermaster of one of the Illinois regiments, and he turned it over to the sutlers (the sugar, coffee, and rice), and the sutlers repacked the goods in barrels, with different marks, so as to deceive the steamboatmen, and shipped them to Cairo, and from there to Bloomington, Ill. I asked one of the sutlers what the sugar, coffee, and rice cost them, and he said the coffee cost 8 cents per pound, the sugar 4 cents per pound, and the rice about 2 cents per pound; and when I asked him how they came to get them so cheap, he said that they (the sutlers) were to run it off and divide the profits with the quartermaster. One of the sutlers bought a jackass, but who from I am not informed, for $7. They say if he can get him home he will be worth $500 or $600. The sutlers were here when they heard of the surrender of Fort Donelson, and they were in a great hurry to get up there, for fear the property would all be gone before they got there.

If you can have the patience to read a little further I will try to explain how it is all done. Col. John Cook, of Springfield, has command of a brigade, and when there is any property captured he puts his own regiment in the lead, and therefore the property goes into the hands of his quartermaster, and the Government is none the better for it. They say if Cook can get a brigadier's commission---and they think he will---they can make $6,000 or $8,000 by just such operations as the sugar, coffee, and rice operation. When they come to ship this sugar, coffee, and rice to Cairo, Colonel Cook gives them a free pass for them and their goods to Cairo, and Cook takes the pass to a Mr. G. W. Graham and gets him to indorse it, though I don't think Graham knew what they were doing; and, further, they tell me that Cook has no part of the profits, but is very clever and accommodating to his friends, one of whom is a personal friend of Cook's, and lives at Springfield, Ill.

These same sutlers are selling whisky at the most extravagant prices ever heard of---$1.50 per bottle, which is about $9 per gallon. There have been lots of property carried off by individuals, such as dirks, pistols, guns of every description, rifles, double-barreled shot-guns, Sharp's rifles, &c.

If all the property captured from the enemy could be taken care of and sold for what it would bring it would put several thousand dollars into the Treasury, where it is so much needed. There are a great many other little things I would like to mention, but I fear your patience will be exhausted before you get through reading so long a letter and of so little interest.

Hoping things will all come right in the end, I remain, respectfully, yours,

FORT HENRY, March 6, 1862

Major-General HALLECK:

All the transports here will be loaded and off to-day if the gunboats arrive to convoy them. One gunboat has gone to Savannah. The transports here will not take all the troops now in readiness to move. Your instructions contemplated my commanding expedition in person. Dispatch yesterday changed it.

U.S. GRANT,

Major-general.

L. This is Grant's official announcement that the upriver expedition is now under Smith's command. 

SPECIAL ORDERS No. 19.

HDQRS. DISTRICT OF WEST TENNESSEE,
Fort Henry, Tenn., March 7, 1862.

1. In pursuance of directions from headquarters Department of the Missouri, Maj. Gen. C. F. Smith is assigned to the command of the expedition now about moving up the Tennessee River.

*          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *          *

By order of Maj. Gen. U.S. Grant, commanding:

 [JNO. A. RAWLINS,]

Assistant Adjutant-General.

M.  Here Grant finally responds to Halleck's accusations of March 4th, stating that he has done all he could to get reports and returns to Halleck.  

FORT HENRY, March 7, 1862.

Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK,  Saint Louis, Mo.:

Your dispatch of yesterday just received. I did all I could to get you returns of the strength of my command. Every move I made was reported daily to your chief of staff, who must have failed to keep you properly posted. I have done my very best to obey orders and to carry out the interests of the service. If my course is not satisfactory, remove me at once. I do not wish to impede in any way the success of our arms. I have averaged writing more than once a day since leaving Cairo to keep you informed of my position, and it is no fault of mine if  you have not received my letters. My going to Nashville was strictly intended for the good of the service, and not to gratify any desire of my own.

Believing sincerely that I must have enemies between you and myself, who are trying to impair my usefulness, I respectfully ask to be relieved from further duty in the department.

U.S. GRANT,

Major-General.

N.  Halleck further complains to McClellan that he has not yet received any returns from Grant.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI,
Saint Louis, March 8, 1862---10.30 a.m.

Major-General MCCLELLAN,  Washington:

Strange to say, I have not yet received any returns whatever from General Grant, showing the number and position of his forces. I ordered, on the 1st of March, one week ago, the movement up the Tennessee to destroy bridges, &c. I can get no official information of how many have gone or where they now are. Pope's army having accomplished its main object by taming Columbus on the right, and all the country about New Madrid being overflowed, I have ordered his main body to be withdrawn and sent up the Tennessee. We must pierce the center of the enemy's new line somewhere below Florence. As Savannah is near the railroad and between Corinth and Henderson, I have directed the landing to be made at that place, unless General Smith, from local information, should deem some other point preferable. I have sent entrenching tools, and shall push forward re-enforcements as rapidly as possible.

 H. W. HALLECK,

Major-General.

O. Halleck tries to deflect Grant's request to be relieved by putting the blame for everything on McClellan.

SAINT LOUIS, March 8, 1862.

Maj. Gen. U.S. GRANT,  Fort Henry:

You are mistaken. There is no enemy between you and me. There is no letter of yours stating the number and position of your command since capture of Fort Donelson. General McClellan has asked for it repeatedly with reference to ulterior movements, but I could not give him the information. He is out of all patience waiting for it. Answer by telegraph in general terms.

 H. W. HALLECK,

Major-General.

P. Grant continues to explain himself, pointing out that no orders to send in returns were received until just four days before Halleck's complaint to Grant (and just three days before Halleck's complaint to McClellan).

FORT HENRY, March 9, 1862.

Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK,  Saint Louis, Mo.:

Your dispatch of yesterday is just received. I will do all in my power to advance the expedition now started. You had a better chance of knowing my strength whilst surrounding Fort Donelson than I had. Troops were reporting daily, by your order, and immediately assigned to brigades. There were no orders received from you until the 28th February to make out returns, and I made every effort to get them in as early as possible. I have always been ready to move anywhere, regardless of consequences to myself, but with a disposition to take the best care of the troops under my command. I renew my application to be relieved from further duty. Returns have been sent.

U.S. GRANT,

Major-General.

Q.  Grant sends Halleck very precise information on the troops at the posts around Fort Henry, and notes that a return was mailed to Halleck from Paducah three days previously.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT WEST TENNESSEE,
Fort Henry, March 9, 1862.

Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK,  Saint Louis, Mo.:

Infantry present and for duty, 35,147; cavalry, 3,169; artillery, 12 batteries---aggregate number of pieces, 54; men, 1,231. Location: Infantry embarked on expedition, 25,206; at landing above Fort Henry, awaiting transportation, 5,740; Clarksville, 1,173; Fort Donelson, 2,328, 1,216 of whom are under marching orders for the Tennessee as soon as transportation can be had. At Fort Henry, 700; cavalry, 1,900, embarked on expedition. One regiment, poorly armed, at Fort Henry, and two companies at Fort Donelson. Artillery all embarked on expedition except one battery of two guns at Fort Donelson. This includes General Sherman's division of 7,829 infantry and one battery.

A return of the forces and location was mailed to you from Paducah on the 6th instant.

U.S. GRANT,

Major-General.

R. Halleck tells Grant that his recent note of March 5 (not identified in the OR) was the first information he had received from Grant.  He then reminds Grant that General-in-Chief McClellan had "repeatedly ordered me to report to him daily the numbers and positions of your forces," and that Halleck was not able to provide them.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI,
Saint Louis, March 9, 1862.

Maj. Gen. U.S. GRANT,  Fort Henry:

Your letter of the 5th instant, just received, contains the first and only information of your actual forces. If you have reported them before I have not seen them. General McClellan has repeatedly ordered me to report to him daily the numbers and positions of your forces. This I could not do, and the fault certainly was not mine, for I telegraphed to you time and again for the information, but could get no answer. This certainly indicated a great want of order and system in your command, the blame of which was partially thrown on me, and perhaps justly, as it is the duty of every commander to compel those under him to obey orders and enforce discipline. Don't let such neglect occur again, for it is equally discreditable to you and to me. I really felt ashamed to telegraph back to Washington time and again that I was unable to give the strength of your command.

But to business. I think the guns and stores at Clarksville should be brought down to Paducah. We require no garrison there. Fragmentary regiments equivalent to one regiment will be sufficient to garrison Fort Donelson. The same for Fort Henry. All other troops should be sent up the Tennessee as rapidly as possible. As soon as these things are arranged you will hold yourself in readiness to take the command. There will probably be some desperate fighting in that vicinity, and we must be prepared. See that stores, ammunition, intrenching tools, &c., are forwarded.

Messengers should be sent at least twice a day to the telegraph line, to keep me informed of everything. I am required to report to Washington at least once a day the condition of affairs. Your district was the only one heretofore from which I could not obtain the required information. I shall organize and send you re-enforcements as rapidly as possible, and when I get them under way I shall join you myself.

H. W. HALLECK,

Major-general.

S. Halleck informs McClellan of Grant's March 5 letter, and adds that, from the strength data given, he (Halleck) is "too weak" to conduct an offensive up the Tennessee.   

SAINT LOUIS, March 9, 1862---8 p.m.

Major-General MCCLELLAN,  Washington:

From General Grant's letter of the 5th instant, just received, I learn that his force consists of forty-six regiments of infantry, three regiments of cavalry, and ten batteries of light artillery. This is the first and only information on this subject I have received from him. The regiments, he says, will not average more than 500 men each. You will perceive from this that without Buell's aid I am too weak for operations on the Tennessee.

                              H. W. HALLECK,

Major-general.

T. This is an important point in this kerfuffle.  Almost a full week after Halleck's complaint to McClellan, the President, acting through the Secretary of War, orders Halleck to come up with what might be called a "bill of particulars," or, more colloquially, "the receipts."  In other words, shows us what Grant has done that merits being removed from his command.

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
Adjutant-General's Office, Washington, March 10, 1862.

Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK,  U.S. A.,
Commanding Department of the Mississippi, Saint Louis :

It has been reported that soon after the battle of Fort Donelson Brigadier-General Grant left his command without leave. By direction of the President the Secretary of War desires you to ascertain and report whether General Grant left his command at any time without proper authority, and, if so, for how long; whether he has made to you proper reports and returns of his force; whether he has committed any acts which were unauthorized or not in accordance with military subordination or propriety, and, if so, what.

L. THOMAS,

 Adjutant-General.

U.  Because many of these messages are going by military mail (as opposed to telegraph), there are delays in receipt and reaction.  Here Grant reacts to the letter to David Davis (part of J., above), forwarded to Grant, which alleged a number of irregularities in Grant's command, by repeating his request to be relieved.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF WEST TENNESSEE,
Fort Henry, March 11, 1862.

Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK,
Saint Louis, Mo.:

Yours of the 6th instant, inclosing an anonymous letter to Hon. David Davis, speaking of frauds committed against Government, is just received. I refer you to my orders to suppress marauding as the only reply necessary. There is such a disposition to find fault with me that I again ask to be relieved from further duty until I can be placed right in the estimation of those higher in authority.

U.S. GRANT,

Major-General.

V. This is another turning point; Halleck's goal has been to obtain sole command in the western theater of the war.  It is the smart military policy, and it is also good for Halleck personally, of course.  Now that he has what he wants, Halleck can afford to overlook whatever "irregularities" that may (or may not) have existed in Grant's command. 

President Lincoln issues Presidential War Order No. 3, creating a unified command west of the Alleghenies, under Halleck (3/11/1862).

W. Halleck insists that there is no reason for Grant to be relieved, reminds him of the necessity to enforce discipline, and calls upon him for further successes. 

SAINT LOUIS, March 13, 1862.

Maj. Gen. U.S. GRANT,  Fort Henry:

You cannot be relieved from your command. There is no good reason for it. I am certain that all which the authorities at Washington ask is that you enforce discipline and punish the disorderly. The power is in your hands; use it, and you will be sustained by all above you. Instead of relieving you, I wish you as soon as your new army is in the field to assume the immediate command and lead it on to new victories.

H. W. HALLECK,

Major-General.

X. But on the same day he cautions Grant about not bringing on any general engagement. 

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MlSSOURI,
Saint Louis, March 13, 1862.

Maj. Gen. U.S. GRANT,
Fort Henry, Tenn.:

Don't bring on any general engagement at Paris. If enemy appears in force, our troops must fall back. It is not the proper point to attack. When you go up the river to assume the general command direct the officer at Fort Henry to report all troops that pass. Inform me as early as possible where General Smith has landed. Some of the pontoon boats at Paducah should be towed up the Tennessee for depot of commissary stores.

 H. W. HALLECK,

 Major-General.

Y. Grant informs Halleck of the latest troops to arrive at Fort Henry, on their way upriver to the gathering force currently still under Smith's command.

FORT HENRY, March 13, 1862.

Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK,
Saint Louis, Mo.:

Just arrived, and ordered to proceed up the Tennessee River, and there report to Major-General Smith, commanding expedition: Thirteenth Iowa, effective strength 848; Fifth Ohio Battery, effective strength 149, with four 6-pounder rifled and two 6-pounder smooth guns; Minnesota Battery, Captain Munch, four 6-pounder rifled guns and two 12-pounder howitzers, effective strength 140. I also have learned unofficially that the Twentieth Ohio, sent from Fort Donelson as an escort to prisoners, proceeded up the Tennessee. They did not report to me. I suppose their orders were to report to General Smith.

U.S. GRANT,

 Major-General.

Z. Grant informs Halleck that Smith has landed at Savannah, Tennessee.

FORT HENRY, March 14, 1862.

Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK,
Saint Louis, Mo.:

The first word received from General Smith to-day. He has debarked at Savannah. Sent me no report, but his landing there would indicate fortifications and the enemy in force above.

U.S. GRANT,

Major-General.

AA. Grant informs Halleck that a report and return have just been received from Smith.

FORT HENRY, March 14, 1862.

Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK,
Saint Louis, Mo.:

Report and field return from General Smith just received. A battery of a dozen pieces or more found at Eastport. The general thinks Corinth will have to be let alone for the present, but will learn more and report probably by next steamer. An expedition is organizing from Pittsburg in the direction of Corinth, but east of it.

U.S. GRANT,

Major-General.

BB. Grant tells Halleck, formally, that he is withdrawing his request to be relieved of his command.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF WEST TENNESSEE,
Fort Henry, March 14, 1862.

 Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK,
Saint Louis, Mo.:

After your letter inclosing copy of anonymous letter, upon which severe censure was based, I felt as though it would be impossible for me to serve longer without a court of inquiry. Your telegram of yesterday, however, places such a different phase upon my position that I will again assume command, and give every effort to the success of our cause. Under the worst circumstances I would do the same. I have just received the first word from General Smith since he left. The troops were debarked at Savannah; why I do not know. There are eight regiments here awaiting transportation yet. I had expected the return of transports from above to take them before this. The supply of commissary stores sent forward is abundant, but of forage rather short. Under my directions Captain Baxter, assistant quartermaster, is using every effort to keep up the supply.

 U.S. GRANT,

Major-General.

P. S.--Since writing the above yours of the 9th instant is received. I certainly received but one telegraphic dispatch up to the 28th of February to furnish report of my strength. I had done my best, however, previous to that to get in field returns, in order that consolidated returns might be made out to send you. Now I am not in communication with General Smith's command to report fully as I should like to do, but all that I can learn directly or indirectly you shall be made acquainted with. I feel a doubt about when I should proceed up the river. General Smith's landing at Savannah indicates that fortifications have been encountered above that point and the enemy in force.

U.S. GRANT,

Major-General.

CC. Halleck responds to the inquiry of March 10, made on behalf of President Lincoln via the Adjutant-General of the Army.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Saint Louis, March 15, 1862.

Brig. Gen. LORENZO THOMAS.
Adjutant-General of the Army,  Washington:

In accordance with your instructions of the 10th instant I report that General Grant and several officers of high rank in his command, immediately after the battle of Fort Donelson went to Nashville without my authority or knowledge. I am satisfied, however, from investigation, that General Grant did this from good intentions and from a desire to subserve the public interests.

Not being advised of General Buell's movements, and learning that General Buell had ordered Smith's division of his (Grant's) command to Nashville, he deemed it his duty to go there in person. During the absence of General Grant and a part of his general officers numerous irregularities are said to have occurred at Fort Donelson. These were in violation of the orders issued by General Grant before his departure, and probably, under the circumstances, were unavoidable.

General Grant has made the proper explanations, and has been directed to resume his command in the field. As he acted from a praiseworthy although mistaken zeal for the public service in going to Nashville and leaving his command, I respectfully recommend that no further notice be taken of it. There never has been any want of military subordination on the part of General Grant, and his failure to make returns of his forces has been explained as resulting partly from the failure of colonels of regiments to report to him on their arrival and partly from an interruption of telegraphic communication. All these irregularities have now been remedied.

H. W. HALLECK,

Major-General.

DD.  Grant reports his arrival at Savannah, to Halleck's adjutant.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF WEST TENNESSEE,
Savannah, Tenn., March 17, 1862.

Capt. N. H. McLEAN,
Saint Louis, Mo.:

I have the honor of reporting my arrival but a few minutes since at this place. Just as I arrived a report was received from General Sherman, which I herewith inclose.  A man employed by General Smith as scout also came in, reporting the enemy very strong from Chickasaw to Corinth. Their number was estimated at 150,000, about one-third of them being at Corinth. General Johnston, with his force, is said to be with them. The number is of course very much exaggerated, and Johnston being there was very much against my expectations.

This country is so overflowed that but few roads can be traveled, and all are most impassable for artillery. A few dry days, however, would remedy this, and it is certainly time to look for a change of weather. I shall order all the forces here, except McClernand's division, to Pittsburg, and send back steamers as rapidly as possible.

It is with great difficulty that quartermasters at Paducah and Cairo can be impressed with the magnitude of our wants in coal and forage. We are now short in both these articles. Corn can be procured here for a few days, but not for a long period. I would respectfully suggest to the general commanding the importance of having funds in the hands of the quartermaster to pay the people for such supplies as we get from them.

All the troops of my command, except those left to garrison Forts Henry and Donelson, two regiments at Clarksville yet to arrive, and McClernand's division, will be at Pittsburg. The accompanying report of General Sherman, with the above statement, shows the present distribution of my forces. The Fifty-second Illinois, Col. T. W. Sweeny commanding, has just arrived.

U.S. GRANT,

Major-General.