HEAD QUARTERS CHIEF OF CAVALRY, MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISS., NASHVILLE TENN. MARCH 4TH, 1864

[17], [1 blank] pp, entirely in neat ink manuscript on ruled paper. Bound at the top margin in pink ribbon. Very Good.

This is General Smith's Report [perhaps his retained copy] on recent cavalry operations made at the direction of Generals Grant and Sherman. Addressed to "Brig Gen. John A. Rawlings, Chief of Staff, Military Div. of the Miss.," it is a gloomy narrative of a very unpleasant event in Smith's-- and the Union's-- life.
"For Major General William T. Sherman's Meridian Campaign in February 1864, he led a large cavalry force from Tennessee south toward Meridian, Mississippi. Known as the Sooy Smith Expedition, it failed miserably, angering Sherman and bringing embarrassment to himself. He had been beaten back in engagements at West Point and Okolona, Mississippi, by an inferior force under Major General Nathan B. Forrest" ['Find a Grave' article on Smith online].
Smith advises, "I have the honor to submit the following report of recent Cavalry operations made by the direction of Major General Grant Comdg Military Division of the Mississippi and in accordance with the orders and written instructions of Maj Gen Sherman Comdg department of the Tennessee.
" ...On the 28th Day of December 1863 I started from this city with the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Tennessee cavalry regiments, 3rd and 5th Kentucky cavalry, and 28th Kentucky Mounted Infantry. On the 30th I reached Columbia, from which point I sent the 3d Kentucky Cavalry down the north bank of Duck river to scour the Country bordering that river, on the North to the Tennessee river and to watch that stream from the mouth of Duck river to a point opposite Fort Henry...." The detailed disposition of Smith's forces is recounted, with the object being "to clear the country of the bands of guerillas that infested it and to watch any attempt that Forrest, who was then at Jackson, Tenn. might make to throw his force or any portion of it over into Middle Tennessee or Kentucky."
Smith disobeyed Sherman's orders by delaying ten days, awaiting reinforcements, and failed to rendezvous with Sherman at Meridian. Nathan Bedford Forrest attacked Smith near Okolona, drew him into a swamp west of the Tombigbee River, and Smith's forces were forced to retreat. The verdict of history is that Smith's conduct jeopardized Sherman's Meridian Expedition.