October 16, 1862
On October 16, 1862 the U.S. War Department created the Department of the Tennessee and placed Ulysses S. Grant in charge of the new department.
General Orders No. 159
War Department, Adjt. Gen.'s Office
Washington, October 16, 1862.
- The Department of the Tennessee will include Cairo, Fort Henry, and Fort Donelson, Northern Mississippi, and portions of Kentucky and Tennessee west of the Tennessee River.
- Maj. Gen. U.S. Grant is assigned to command of the Department of the Tennessee.
By order of the Secretary of War:
L. Thomas,
Adjutant-General
;
