Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1863-06-04
Letter from Gen. Breckenridge,

4 H'EQURs BREcKINRIDGE's DIV, Z
), TuLLAHoMA, Te., March 81, '63. !
4 To S. Cooper, s9ss
/ A. and 1 GenI. Richmond, Ia:
SIR: asioa.s.
Two days ago I read General
Braxton Bragg's official report Of the
battles of Stone river, before Muir
Ifreesboro, and after proper time fur
reflection, Think il my1duty to send
you this communication.
cannot conceal from myself the
fact that SO much of the report as
refers to my conduct and that of nv
command (except some general COM
pliments to the courage of a portion
of my command on Wednesday, Ist
Of Dec is in tone and spirit a thor
ougb disparagement Of both. This
tone runs through all its parts, and
lies like broad foundation at the
whole. AT the same time the mar
rative of events is made to sustain
the general spirit.
While the report Of the Comd'g
Gen'I fails, as l think, to do justice TO
the behavior Of my division on Fri
day, the 2lst oil Jan'y, yet its stric-
lures are chiefly leveled at my own
conduct as an officer during all >lhe
operations. By direct statement and
by unmistakable lnuendo tits through
out a reflection upon my capacity
and conduct. ttet
Without referring to the contents
in detail, ] have to say, in respectful
terms, that neither it's material state
ments, nor its equally material inu-
endoes can be maintained by proof
that its omission Of important facts
creditable to my Division and myself
is as remarkable as many Of its affir-
native statenents-in word, that
10 spirit and substance it is erroneous
and unjust,
l trust that nothing in the forego-.
ing expressions passes The limit of
military propriety, and that Kaainness
of statement will be pardoned TO cne
who, even under the weight of su-
perior military censure, feels that
both he and his command have de-
served we'll Of their country. Hav-,
ing met the Comd'g Gen1 repeatedly
on the field, and on three occasions
10 council during the progress of the
operations. without receiving from
him the least indication Of dissa;is-
faction With my conduct, was not
prepared to see q report bearing a |
subsequent date containing represen-
tations at variance with these signif- |
icant facts. Nor was my surprise
lessened when / observed tha. it was
written after correspondence with
bis corps and division commanders
q being one oc the latter 10 which
he invokes their aid to sustain him,
and speaks Of them as officers upon
whom / (he) have ever relied as upon
a foundation of rock. " -
The Comd'g Gen1 having written
and forwarded bis report before re.
ceiving those OF his subordinate COM
manders, could have derived no as
sistance in its preparation from those
usual official aids tothe Commander
n-Chief; and since bis position on
the field prevented him from seeing
many Of the movements, especially !
those Of Friday, the second Of Jan'y,
it much concerns ell affected BY his
statements to knew something of
those other, and to them unknown
solisces Of information, to which he
has given The sanction Of bis inau.
encs and rank as the head of the ar |
n.y.
] have felt that It would be improp-
er 10 q paper Of this character to en-
ter upon detailed vindication; yet.