Year: 1862

most excellent opportunities of fighting
WIN great advantage-one Immediately
aiter the surrender Of Muniordville,
again, when Buell. was endeavoring TO
reach Louisville by forced march, Gen.
Bragg moving quietly out of his way 60
allow the former TO go by, which he did,
if accounts are to be relied on, with his
army in most disorgani2ed state. We
were at that time full equal TO him in
numbers and with an army in other re-
spects superior TO his.


II is said by General Bragg's friends
that his instructions from the Govern
ment We're, not to risk q general engage
ment; but it was evident to every one,
after having an opportunity of Judging
of the sentiments of the people of Ken
lucky, that unless we met and fought
the Unionists, and were victorious over
them, the Kentuckians themselves would
render no assistance They evidently
wanted confidence in our ability to re-
lieve them, and unless we could do what
had been promised by Bragg in his pro-
clamatiOn, they preferred not compromis-
ing themselves.


| must confess that never was more
mortified and chagrined than when /
became aware that a retreat had COM
menced. Great disappointment has been
the result, aud dissatisfaction expressed
toward our commanding general Our
division was not in the Perryville fight,
but was with portion of General Smiths
army on duty elsewhere. The misera-
BILE blunder of Withers caused that ex-
pedition TO fail, under the most promi-
sing auspices; and he has been relieved
from his command and sent elsewhere,
where no opportunity is likely TO occur
for him to mar well arranged plans. We
have been several times in line of battle
but, excepting three small skirmishes,
have done nothing but march and coun-
termarch.


do not know what your and brother
Gabriel's plans are about the negroes
from White Oaks. Whatever is done by
either of you in relation TO them will be
satisfactory TO me but feel some ap-
prehension about them, and their loca-
tion so near the coast. Would it not be
better to send them a greater distance
into the interior? | have not heard from
brother G., and do not know what sort Of
place he purchased in Sumpter.


Whether it is of any size, sufficiently
large for the cultivation of provisions or
not? II so, could they not be sent there,
or placed on some plantation inland
where they could work, and an arrange
ment be made with the owner to support
and feed them?


am afraid there will be much trouble
on the coast of South Carolina this win
ter, and the temptations and influences to
which they may be exposed may prove
too much for their fidelity. 1t is more
than doubtful if will be able to return
home this winter; indeed, | do not think
of making any application to do so ex-
cept in case of the most urgent necessi
ty, illness, &c, as think it my duty to
remain with the men with whom came;
and, of course, no fdrloughs are granted
them.


have no idea what the plans of the
government or General commanding IN
this department are, but hear that we
will be removed in a few days or week
from Chattanooga. / doubt very much il
the army goes into winter quarters, but
am certain that no offensive operations
can be undertaken by these forces until
completely re-equipped. Your affection.
ate brother, A. M. MANICAULT.