CORINTH, April 4, 1863.
_Henry Binmore, Assistant Adjutant-General_:
CAPTAIN:--In accordance with Major-General Hurlbut's dispatch, I
submit the plan of operations east of here. General Rosecrans proposes
to land a force at Florence, attack and take that place, while, with a
heavy body of cavalry, he penetrates Alabama north of Tennessee River,
and gets into Johnson's rear. At the same time I am to strike and take
Tuscumbia, and, if practicable, push my cavalry to Decatur, destroy
the saltpeter works, and the Tuscumbia and Decatur Railroad, which
they have just finished, and take all the horses and mules in that
country, to prevent them from raising any large crops. To do this, I
propose to move simultaneously with General Rosecrans, throw all my
cavalry suddenly across Bear Creek, capture the ferries, and hold them
until my infantry and artillery arrive, and then immediately force my
cavalry as far toward Tuscumbia as possible, and secure the crossings
of Little Bear, on which creek the enemy will concentrate. To
accomplish this I shall move light, taking nothing but ammunition and
provisions, and march twenty miles per day, with infantry and
artillery. I shall take such a force as to render certain the success
of the expedition, and propose to take command in person. The movement
is to be made next week, or as soon as General Rosecrans notifies me
he is ready. I trust this will meet the view of the General
commanding.