5 April 1864: “Capt. McCloskey reports the “Falls City” ready for sinking this afternoon…”

Item description: Report, dated 5 April 1864, sent by General Richard Taylor to his superior General Edmund Kirby Smith. The report details Confederate troop strength at this point in the Red River Campaign.

[Item transcription available below images.]

18640405_01001

Item citation: From folder 38 of the Edmund Kirby-Smith Papers, #404, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Item transcription:

Hd Qrs Dist. Western La. 
In the field April 5th 1864

General,

I have the honor to enclose the latest dispatch received from Genl. Liddell which will give you the best information from the east side of the river. Capt. McCloskey reports the “Falls City” ready for sinking this afternoon, she will be sunk if Genl. Liddell or the officer in command on this side the river give further information of the enemy’s advance. I am awaiting your reply to my dispatches of yesterday touching future movements.

I have the honor to report the following in regard to the troops from Texas. Green’s old Brigade, Col. Bagby comd’g, about 1100 strong some 200 not armed, is here, also Major’s Brigade 750 strong, DeBray’s and Buchel’s Regt’s about 500 each. Terrell’s Regt., 360 men for duty, will be here in the morning. Genl. Bee has arrived here in person but knows nothing of the whereabouts of his Brigade with the exception of Terrell’s Regt. Wood’s, Gould’s & Licken’s regiments have not been heard from since the reception of a dispatch from the Major of Licken’s Regt. dated 31st march stating that his Regt. had not left Hempstead, Texas. I have directed Genl. Green to order Genl. Bee to return to Logansport tomorrow to ascertain where the above named three Regts. are and hurrying them on.

Very Respectfully Yr. Obt. Servt.
(Signed) R. Taylor
Maj. Genl. Comd’g

Brig. Genl. W. R. Boggs
Chief of Staff

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