The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-10-24
works referred to, to be collected as soon
as nnssihla at Meridian and Ohattanoona

WOIAS T0I0rC0u 10, 10 Do COu0CC0O as 6OO0
as possible at Meridian and Chattanooga.
Such are the operations which / would
carry into effect, with such notifications as
circumstances might require, if the Presi-
dent had judged proper to order me back
to the command of that army which l had,
with General Braggs assistance, collected
together and organized, and which I had
only left to recover my shattered health,
while my presence could be spared from it,
and until he informed me that it was ready
to take the offensive
Hoping for its entire success, remain, very
respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. T. BEAUREGARD,
General G. 8. A.
GEN. BEAUREGARD TO GEN. BRAxToN BRAGG.
CULLUM SPRINGS, Bladin, Ala,
CONFIDENTIAL. July 28th, 1862.
MY DEAR GENERAL: Your letter OF the
22d inst. was only received last night. l
give you with pleasure the following views
on your proposed operations from Tupelo,
for l wish you the amplest success, both on
your and the country's account.
You had evidently but one of four things
to do: First, to attack Halleck at Corinth
second, to attack Buell. at or about Chatta-
nooga third, to attack Grant at or about
Memphis fourth, to remain idle at Tupelo.
From what you state, the first is evil
IDENTIFY inadmissible; and the last cannot be
entertained for one moment, for action
actiOn-actiOn is what we require.
Now, with regard to the other PROPOSE
tions, it is evident that unless you reinforce
Gen. E. K. Smith at Chattanooga, he will
be overpowered by Buell., and then our
communication with the east, and our sup
plies at Atlanta, Augusta, &C., will be cut
off; also, that apartial reinforcement would
so weaken you at Tupelo as to paralyze
you for any other movements from there,
hence you have adopted the wisest course
in sending to Smith all your available force,
except just enough to guard your depots,
&C., to the rear of your present position at
Tupelo.
The third proposition would have afford
ed you some success, but not as brilliant
and important in results as the second one,
if the newspapers will permit you to carry
it successfully into effect; for Halleck and
Buell., occupying the base of long iso-
sceles triangle, Of which Mobile is the apex,
could get to Chattanooga before you, if
they should become aware of your move
ments, and then you would have to con-
tend again with superior forces-as usual
to US. The moment you get to Chatta-
nooga you ought to take the offensive,
keeping in mind the following grand prin-
ciples of the art of war:
First-Always bring the masses of your
army in contact with the fractions of the
enemy. Second-Operate as much as
possible on his communications without
exposing your own. Third-Operate al
ways on interior or shorter lines. have
no doubt that with anything like equal
numbers you will always meet with sue
cess.
I am happy to see that my two Lieuten-
ants, Morgan and Forrest, are doing such
good service in Kentucky and Tennessee.
When I appointed them l thought they
would leave their mark wherever they
passed.
By-the-by, think we ought hereafter,
in our official papers, to call the yankees"
"abolitionists" instead of "Federals," for
they now claim not only the abolition of
slavery, but of all our constitutional rights;
and that name will have singing effect
on our western enemies. / intend to is
sue general order on the subject when
ever assume command.
Sincerely your friend.
G. T. BEAUREGARD.
Gen. BRAxToN BRAGG, Commanding Depart
ment No. 2, Mobile, Alabama.