Year: 1863


To S. Cooper, Adjt and Inspector Gen. Richmond, "a.
| SIR:-Iwo days ago read Gen. Braxton Bragg s
official report of the battles of Stone river before
Murfressboro and after proper time for reflection,
think 1t my duty to send you this communication.
cannot conceal from myself the fact that so much
of the report as refers to my command Except
general compliments to the courage of portion of my
troops on Wednesday, the 3lst Dec) is in tone and
spirit thorough disparagement of both. This tone
runs through all its parts and lies like broad ounda-
tion underneath the whole At the same time the
ratve of events is made to sustain the general spirit
| While the report of the Commanding General fails,
think to do justice to the behaviour OF my DlVs-
ion on Friday the ID of January yet its structures
chiefly leveled at my conduct officer during
all the operations. By direct statement and by unmis
taxable inuendo, it is throughout reflection upon my
capacity and conduct.


Without referring to its contents in detail have to
say in respectful TERMS that neither IFS material state
ments, its equally material inuendos be main
tanned by proofthat its omission OF important facts
credtable to my division and myself is remarkable
many of it's affirmative staements-in word, that
n spirit and substance 1t is erroneous and unjust


trust that nothing in the foregoing expressions pas
ses the limit of military proprety and that pIainness
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 repeatedly on
the field, and three occasions In council during the
progress of the operations, without receiving from him
the least Indication OF dissatisfaction with my conduct





date containing representations at variance with these
significant facts. Nor was my surprise lessened when
observed that it was written after correspondence
with his Corps and Division Commanders, Il being one
OF the later in which he invokes their aid to sustain
hm, and speaks OF them as officers "upOn whom he
have ever relied as upon foundation Of rock"
The Commanding General having written and for
warded his report before receiving those Of his subor
dinae commanders, could have derived assistance in
its preparations from those usual official aids to the
commander-in-chie and since his position The field
prevented him from Icing many the movements
peciay those of Friday, the I'd of January 1T much
concerns all affected by bis statements to know
thing OF those other and to them unknown sources OF
information to which be has given the sanction of his
influence and rank as the head Of the army.
l have felt that it would be improper in paper of
this character to enter upon detailed vindicaton yet
IN view OF the fact that the casualties of may at
any time render an investigation impossible, hope
that it has not been improper for to place on record
this general protest against the Injurious statements and
references OF the Commanding General particularly,
sinCe not anticipating his censures, may not have
been sufficiently minute in portions 0 my report.
And In regard TO the action of Friday the I'd Of jan
uary, upon which the Commanding General heaps so
much criticism, have to say with the utmost conf
dence that the failure of my troops to hold the position
which they carried that occasion due to no fault
of theirs of mne but to the fact that were
manded to Go an impossible thing. My force about
45O0 men, OF these 100 heroic spirits stretched out
upon that bloody field, in unequal struggle against





tlcn OF artillery atteted our efforts to obey the order
have the honor to request that Court of Inquiry
be appointed to assemble the earliest time consistent
with the interest of the service and clothed with the
amplest powers of investigation.


OF course do not desire the interests of the service
to be preudced in the least degree by any matter of
secondary Importance accordingly while early in
vestigat0n would be grateful to my feelings, can
cheeruly await the time deemed best by the proper
authority.


With great respect,


Your obedieut servant


(Sigued,) JOHN G. BRECKINRIDGE,


Maj. Gen. T. A. @. S.