Intelligence Operations of the Army of the Cumberland during the Tullahoma and Chickamuga Campaigns
Abstract
This study is a historical analysis of the intelligence operations conducted by the Union Army of the Cumberland between 15 May 1863 and 18 September 1863. The study analyzes two key campaigns the Tullahoma (or Middle Tennessee) Campaign and the Chickamauga Campaign. The means used to gather intelligence were: spies; cavalry operations; the questioning of civilians, deserters, and prisoners of war; the forming of hypothesis by the commander; a network of signals; and newspapers. By today's standards, the commander in 1863 had a limited ability to gather, decipher, and then act on intelligence. Commanders actively gathered intelligence in spite of not having sophisticated gathering means, and dedicated interpretation staffs. The commander analyzed the accumulated information and decided on how to use it. The study concludes that: The Tullahoma Campaign was successful because Rosecrans used the available intelligence effectively. Rosecrans actively gathered information about Bragg's strength, dispositions, and unit morale. Rosecrans then correctly analyzed this information and developed a plan that would strike at Bragg's weak points. Keywords: Civil war.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 02, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA211897
Entities
People
- Doyle D. Broome Jr.
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College