Summary:
Union Colonel and Chief of Secret Police R. A. Crawford reports on intelligence
gathered from a Confederate soldier who deserted while stationed near Staunton,
VA, in January, 1864. The soldier gives Crawford information on troop positions,
and the likelihood of mass desertion from the Confederate ranks.
KNOXVILLE,
February 5, 1864.
Willis White, a sergeant from the First Tennessee Infantry, commanded by Col. Turney, stationed near Staunton, Va., deserted and came in this morning.
Reports that he left Staunton, Va., on the 10th of January on furlough to come to Tennessee; that he saw no troops on the road at any point until he came to Russellville and Morristown, which points he reached on the 25th ultimo. At these places the most of Longstreet's infantry were encamped. On the day of the fight above Sevierville the most of the infantry and artillery went to Dandrige, crossed the French Broad River, and marched toward Sevierville, but returned the next day, recrossed the river, and camped near Dandridge. Gen. Longstreet came over to Dandridge on last Monday and returned to Morristown.
On Tuesday morning, the 3d instant, when he (the deserter) left Dandridge, the infantry were preparing to return to Morristown. The most of the cavalry were said to be in the neighborhood of Sevierville.
On last Sunday he says he met in the evening above Dandridge Gen. Ransom's division going toward the railroad station. One of the captains and several of the men told him that they were going to take the cars and were going to Mobile, Ala. The men were hallowing and seemed delighted. They said they would march all night. He states that provisions are quite scarce at Morristown; that he saw over 300 men entirely barefoot and badly clad; Bushrod Johnson's command is daily deserting; that there is great dissatisfaction amongst the soldiers. He says it was the desire of the officers and men to remain at their quarters until spring, but they were in constant dread of being flanked by the Federal army. He says the men will desert by hundreds just as soon as the leaves come out. No fortifications at Morristown or Russellville. Rebels have comfortable cabins. They were in constant dread of being cut off from Virginia. I examined him closely; he seems to be rather an intelligent man. Says he has been in army nearly two years; lives in Lincoln County, Tenn.; had two brothers in the Forty-fourth Tennessee, under Bushrod Johnson, who deserted shortly after they went to Morristown.
R. A. CRAWFORD,
Col. and Chief of Secret Police.
Bibliographic Information : Letter Reproduced from The War of The Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series 1, Volume 32, Serial No. 58, Pages 333, Broadfoot Publishing Company, Wilmington, NC, 1997.
