The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1863-06-05
Gems. Bragg and Breckinrfdge

II
Gems. Bragg and Breckinr1dge.
In his official report Of the battle OF Mur-
freesboro', and the engagements Immensely
snhseouent, Gen. Bragg reflected upon ten.
Breckenridge and the gallant division under
his command. In letter to Adjutant-Gene-
raj Cooper, which we publish below, yen. |
Rreckinridge gives an emphatic and explicit
contradiction to material statements contain
ed in Gen. Bragg's report, and full and con-
fdent denial Of the justice Of the censure cast
upon him and his troops:
HEADoR's BREcKINRIDeEs DIVISION nsa
Tullahoma, March 81, 1868. }
To S. Cooper, AIT. and Ins'pt Gen. hlcn-
mond Va: ssss
sir-Two days ago / read Gen. Braxton
Rrauo's official report Of the battles OF stone
| river before .Murfreesboro, and after pro-
| ner time for reflection think it my duty 70
! send Won this communication.
| cannot conceal from myself the TACT tha1
40 much of the report as refers to my COM
u,and texcept some general compliments 70
the courage Of a portion of my troops Oh
"wednesday. the 3lst Decem5er,) is IN tone
and spirit a thorough disparagenent OF po.n.
| This tone runs through all its parts, ana Hes
like a broad foundation underneath the Wnole.
Al the same time the narrative OF events IS
made to sustain the general spirit
Whsle the report Of the commanding Gene-
! raj falls as I ihtnk, to do justice to the pc,
/ hayior of nv division on Friday, the "a Q,
i January. vet its structures are chiefly leveeo
4 at NV own conduct as an officer dnrlng "a
the operation. By direct statement ana Dy
], nnm;stakable inuendo it is throughout re-
Election upon nv capacity and conduct.
s. Without referring to It's contents IN dstaii
+ I have to say in respectable terms, that nel
ther its material statements nor Its eqnaii.
material inuendoes can be maintained Q.
r nroof--that its omission Of important tact
r creditable to my division and myself IS as re
h markable as many OF its athrmatiVe S'ale
;e ments-in a word, that in spirit and sur
stance. it is erroneous and UNJUST
e. trust that nothing in the foregoing e.
is nressions passes the limit of military propri'
,e ". and that plainness Of statement Will 2
IL hardened to one who, even under the veg.
a Of superior military censure, feels that Dol 2
F. he and his command have deserved wen
their country. 4
is Having met the commanding General 7
st neatedly on the field, and on three occasion
te IN council during the progress OF the ope!
e. tions. without receiving from him the least
is d;cat;on Of dissatisfaction with my conduct
was not prepared to see report, bearing
snhseouent date, containing representation
tie at variance with these significant facts.
- was nv surprise lessened when oDsers'
th.t Il was written after correspondent
er, With his corps and division commanders,
mt he;no one Of the latter, in which he lnvok
he THAR aid TO sustain him, and speaks OF the
40 officers ssupon whom (he] have ever =
al - upon q foundation of rock. =,
-. The commanding General having WRIT
-. .na forwarded bis report before receivi
-. =. chose of his subordinate commanders COZ
~ Isv. derived no assistance in its preparatle
nas fso,s those usual official aids to the Comm
90 90 aar.;n.Ch;ef. and since his position on Z
~ Ssid prevented him from seeing many OF
III ,ovements. especially those OF Friday,
suo ..rond of January, it much concerns al
'n fseted hv his statements to know sometn
snu af +hoso other. and them unknown, soui
jul o ;nscrmat;on to which he has gwen
W sanction. of his influence and rank a. the 2
sno = ' have fslt that it would beimproper
JIM .nsr of this character to enter upon
"a: ts;fsd y;ndication; yet in view o. tne Iac.
cll 49, co.ualt;es of war may at any ume
n me; der an investigation impossible. nope s
.si # has not been improper for me 20 p,ai'
record this general protest sga.nss ths
lele :,. sta tements and Einferencss OF the |.
WY asnd;nc General, particularly SINCE. no.
anu .;c;rat;nc his censures, ! may NOT nsso
i. en- c;ent7y minute in portions q Il lot
. Of And 10 regard TO the action OF ra,usy
rave Cd Of January, upon which the con 7 10,
the General heaps 20 nuos that the fai
f re- say with the atross y os;t;cn which
she'd Of my troops 20 nolu sno 20 Ana 10 no
ton. carried on snas 0ccas'0A -