The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-06-12
General John G. BreckinrIdge,s Re.
ply to Gen. Bragg.
HEADQUARTERS BRECKINRIDGE's DIvIsIoy.)
TULLAHOMA, Tenn, March 81.

HEADQUARTERS BRECKINRIDGE's DIvIsIoN,)
TULLAHOMA Tenn. March 81
To s. Cooper, Asst and ms Gen.. Richmond
"a:
SIR-Two days ago read General Braxton
Bragg's official report of the battles of Stone
river, before Murfreesboro, and after a proper
time for reflection, 1 think it is my duty to
send you this communication.
l cannot conceal from myself the fact that so
much of the report as refers to my conduct and
That OF my command, Except some general
compliments to the courage of a portion of my
troops, on Wednesday, Dec 81 ) is in tone and
spirit thorough disparagement. This tone
runs through all its parts, and lies like broad
tounaaIloh underneath the whole. At the same
time the narrative of events il made to sustain
the general spirit.
WINE the report of the commanding Gener-
al 1ails as think, to do justice to the behavior
OF my DIVISION on Friday, the I'd of January.
YET its structures are chiefly leveed at my own
Gohduct as an olncer during all the operations.
1y olrect statement and unmistakabe inuen-
does it is, throughout, reflection upon nv
conduct and capacity NF0A ny
Without referring to its contents in detail
have to say, in respectful terms that neither it's
material statements, nor its materially eonallv
inuendOes, can be maintained by proof: that its
omission OF important facts creditable to nv
division and to myself is as remarkable as MANI
of its affirmative statements; in word. that in
spirit and substance it is erroneous and unjust.
trust that nothing in the foregoing EXPIRES.
sions passes the limit of military propriety. and
that plainness Of statement will be pardoned to
one who, even under the weight of superior
military censure, feels that both he and his
command have deserved well of their country
Having met the commanding General repeat
eddy on the field, and ON three occasions in
council, during the progress of the operations.
without receiving from him the least Indication
OF dissatisfaction with my conduct, | was not
prepared to see report bearing q subsequent
date, containing representations at variance
with these significant facts. Nor was nv sur
prise lessened when l observed that it was writ
ten after correspondence with his corps and
division commanders q being one of the latter
in 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 commanding General having writ
ten and forwarded his report before receiv-
ing those OF his subordinate commanders.
could have derived no assistance in its prepara-
ton from those usual official aids to the Com
mander-in-chief; and, since his position on the
field prevented him from seeing many of the
movements; especially those Of Friday the I'd
OF JANUARY, 1t much concerns all affected by his
statements, to know something of those other,
and to them unknown sources tOf informa-
ton, to which he has given the sanction of
his influence and rank as the head of the army.
have felt that it would be improper, in a
paper OF this character, to enter upon a detail
ed vlndlcatlon; yet Ill view Of the fact that the
casualties OF war may at any time render an
investigation impossible, l hope that it has not
been improper for me 10 place on record this
general protest against the inudcious state
ments and differences of the Commanding Gen
erai, particularly since, not anticipating his
censures, l may not have been sufficiently
minute in portions ofmy own report.
And in regard to the action of Friday. the
I'd OF January, upon which the commanding
General heaps so much criticism [ have to
say, with the utmost confidence, that the failure
ofmy troops to hold the position which they
carried on that occasion was due to no fault of
theirs or mine, but to the fact that we were
commanded TO do an impossible thing. Ny
force was about 4,5Oe men. OF these 100
heroic spirits stretched upon that bloody field,
in an unequal struggle against three divisions,
Il brigade, and an overwhelming concentration
Of artillery, attested our efforts to obey the
order.
have the honor to request that Court Of
Inquiry be appointed to assemble at the ear
liest time consistent with the interests of the
service, and clothed with the ampes: powers
OF investigation. OF course / do not desire
the interests of the service to be prejudiced in
the least degree by any matter OF secondary
Importance: accordingly, while an early inves-
tgatlon would be grateful to my feelings.
can cheerfully await the the time deemed best
by the proper authority.
With great respect, your Obd't serv't
(Sigred) JOHN c. BRECKINRIDGE,
Major General p A G. s.
o Neal: II. l. CAY, A. 4. G.