Bob McLendon
Wheeler's command
Thu May 31 11:05:06 2001


As Sherman sat in Savannah, and after his movement into South Carolina, there was a strong concern about the safety of Augusta, particularly because of the powder works, and Iverson's command continued to remain in the area south of Augusta, first in Effingham Co., and then Burke Co., to add at least a temporary buffer for Augusta. Despite the order of 1/2/65, realigning some of Wheeler's cavalry, Iverson continued to retain Hannon's Brigade, Ferguson's Brigade, and the Kentucky "Orphan Brigade." They were considered to be still be a part of Wheeler's command, but were detached, reporting more directly to D. H. Hill. After Kilpatrick threatened Augusta from the direction of Aiken, some of then were temporarily directed in that direction.

It appears Wheeler lacked the ability to properly control his command when operating on an independent raid, such as his August-September '64 raid. On that raid, he was primarily supposed to destroy Sherman's supply lines in north Georgia toward Chattanooga, but ended up wandering around in Tennessee, accomplishing little of importance. The most significance accomplishment was the capture of over 1500 beef cattle by Hannon's brigade near Calhoun, GA, on the 4th day of the raid. In Tennessee, he split his force, and after Williams couldn't get back across the river to rejoin him, his command never got back together, with Williams' ending up as far away as Saltville, VA.