Tombigbee River Ala Jany 25th 1865

Col Geo W’m Brent Ad. g.

I have the honor to submit the annexed tabular statement of the condition of Artillery Army of Tenn, Maj Gen A. Elzey Com’d, stationed at Columbus Miss Jany 23/65, exclusive of the 2 battalions under Maj Johnston which started for Georgia last night. It is based upon information given me by the battalion commanders.

I left everything quiet at Columbus & observed no evidence of confusion—the artillery ordered & about 1000 boxes of the depot ammunition were shipped by steamer Gertrude on 24th- Two regt’s infantry & the remainder of the ammunition were to be shipped in a day or two in 2 other steamers expected- The wagon train of Lee’s Corps was ordered on the 24th via Tuscaloosa Ala & West Pt. Ga to Macon with a cavalry escort under Col Joseph. Wheeler of Wheeler’s Corps—Gen Cheatham was expected next day to regulate the movement of his train—

I found the artillery soldiers less destitute than the infantry, but still poorly supplied—They are in good health & considering the circumstances in good spirits—Their battalion officers say there was no complaint about their fighting & that their morale is not impaired. Many are clamorous for furloughs but desertions are rare—their discipline is superior to that in the infantry.

Horses & clothing are the pressing wants. I found them miserably camped on the west side of the river under an old order from Gen Hood, but Gen Elzey determined to move them to a better camp on the east side the next day.

Gen. Elzey seems attentive & determined to enforce discipline but I think does not visit his men often enough—The field officers seemed to be good— I respectfully recommend that two battalions be fitted out at once from the debris of this artillery and that they be stationed at Gainesville Ala where they could be easily forages, I have facilities for moving promptly in any direction—Horses can be impressed in Miss, as well as in Ala, & particular attention should be paid to those which are being recruited—The battalions fitted out should be recruited by breaking up any in inferior compaies (as Gen R. E. Lee has often done), and the remainder would make a fine regiment (or brigade?) for garrison duty until they could be equipped—I enclose memorandum (marked), concerning horses lost near Tennessee River, and exhibits referred to in the tabular statement herewith

Very respy yr obt svt

Henry Bryan AIG

[large table of confederate companies and their supplies]

Summary

The above show 23 companies of which 21 companies forming 7 battalions belong properly to Maj Gen Elzey’s command [?]'s & Barry’s being temporarily added from the reserve artillery at Macon Ga. Of these 23 Cos 13 have no guns whatever, the other 10 cos having no guns whatever, the other 10 Cos having but 20 guns {20 Napoleons 5 rivfles 4 howitzers} sufficient for 2 battalions & 12 odd battery—But in the whole there are only serviceable horses enough to equip one (1) battery @ unserviceable horses which if used would equip two batteries-

This report does not include one battalion from Lee’s & another from Cheatham’s Corps making 6 cos sent to Macon Ga under Major Ins to Johnston

Henry Bryan, Maj. & AIG

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Tombigbee River Ala

Jany 25th 1865

Henry Bryan

Major & AIG

report on condition of Artillery of Army Tenn at Columbus Miss