Report of Col. John Gregg.
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HOPKINSVILLE, KY., November
7, 1861.
W. W. MACKALL, Assistant Adjutant-General,
Bowling Green:
SIR: Hurried on to this point by an order from yourself, I failed
to conclude a report commenced at Clarksville. To show you the speed
with which our companies were got together and hurried to this place,
I need only say that I was at Nashville on the 20th of September
on my way to Texas to assemble our companies. When but six of our
companies were ready I received a dispatch from the Secretary of
War, directing us to "proceed to Memphis as soon as possible and
report to General A. S. Johnston." This dispatch was dated the 4th
of October. The companies came on as soon as they could; two days
after them our seventh company set out, and one week after the eighth
and ninth companies also commenced their march. One of these companies
marched 400 miles, and the shortest distance made by any company
on foot is nearly 200. We think we have a tenth company on the road.
Immediately after seven companies reached Memphis we informed Colonel
Walker, the commandant of the post, and let him know that we were
partially armed, but not organized into a regiment. He stated to
myself that he had informed you by telegraph that we were there
and "partially armed." I received through him the order of General
Johnston to proceed at once to Clarksville. I then dispatched to
learn whether we should proceed as our companies arrived, or whether
we should wait for our entire regiment. The reply came directing
us to proceed as our companies arrived. We were out three whole
nights in open cars and a steamboat; reached Clarksville in the
morning, and it rained incessantly during the day, and our men were
not in dry clothing whilst there. We received an order to march
to General Tilghman's aid, and came on as soon as we could exchange
our guns, which were unfit for use, for others furnished by the
military board, and get ammunition.
Except a number of sick men on the road our nine companies are
all here. The number is 749. Five of our number died on the way.
From exposure to cold and wet on our journey we have more coughs
and colds than I ever saw among the same number of men. Under General
Tilghman's direction we will organize and elect our officers to-day
or to-morrow. We have the consent of the Secretary of War to that
purpose.
Upon my arrival at this place I immediately made to Brigadier-General
Tilghman a report concerning our arms as full as I can now make
it. Captain Van Zandt's company have 13 double-barreled shot-guns
and 16 rifles in good order. They also have 9 double-barreled shotguns
and 25 rifles out of repair. Capt. H. B. Granbury's company have
no guns that they brought with them. Capt. W. B. Hill's company
have 19 double-barreled guns and 8 rifles in good order. They have
20 rifles and 14 double-barreled guns out of repair. Capt. W. H.
Smith's company have 69 muskets in good order, but without equipments.
These were guns loaned by the State of Louisiana to the State of
Texas. Capt. Jack Davis' company have 16 rifles, 3 of which are
out of order, and 16 double-barreled shot-guns, 2 of which are out
of order. They brought other guns from Texas, but all their guns
were appraised at Clarksville, and the number of those left cannot
now be ascertained. Capt. R. S. Camp's company have one musket,
without equipments, 27 double-barreled shot-guns and 11 rifles,
all here and in good order. They also have 31 double-barreled shot-guns
and rifles (number of each kind not known) which were left at Clarksville.
Capt. Wm. L. Moody's company have 3 muskets, 13 double-barreled
shot-guns, and 26 rifles, all here and in good order. They also
have 12 other guns (kind not known) left at Clarksville. Capt. E.
T. Broughton's company have 31 muskets similar to those of Captain
Smith's company, and obtained from the same source. They have also
one rifle. Capt. John Brown's company had guns as follows, viz:
32 rifles, 12 double-barreled shotguns, 3 Mississippi rifles, and
2 yagers; all of which were appraised by the military board at Clarksville,
as I am informed, and the men paid for them. Captain Brown's men
had other guns, which they sold at Memphis, as I am informed. This
company was behind. The guns left by us at Clarksville were those
not fit for immediate use; and in the hurry of departure we could
not bring them. I sent back for them in order that they might be
valued, but the military board refused to deliver some of them to
the officer sent by me. Some he obtained. The board had loaned us
other guns.
There is nothing for me to communicate now except that we are here
by order of Brigadier-General Tilghman.
Very respectfully,
JOHN GREGG,
Acting for Texas Volunteers.
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