| War Department C. S. A. |
| Richmond, Va. |
| January 4, 1863 |
| |
| Lieut. Gen. E. Kirby Smith |
| General Commanding, &c. |
| |
| Sir, |
| I have received your telegrams, giving
information of the recent foray of the enemy's cavalry in East
Tennessee, and the burning of the bridges on the East Tennessee
& Virginia Railroad. The occurrence is greatly to be regretted,
and must subject the Government to serious inconvenience, but no
censure is attached to you by the Department on account of it. The
explanation afforded by the removal of your forces, and especially
of the cavalry, which should have guarded the passes of the
mountains and either-resisted or given timely notice of just such
attempts, against your wish, naturally accounts for the apparent
remissness on your part. |
| The truth is, I suppose, that too much
reliance has been felt by General Bragg, and later by General
Johnston, on the expected interruption of movements in your
department by the winter, and on the want of such enterprise
heretofore by the enemy, and you have been stripped of adequate
forces to sustain the more important operations in Middle Tennessee
and Mississippi. We must find compensation for this reverse in the
brilliant success that has been achieved in Middle Tennessee, and by
the prospect of, perhaps, more decisive triumphs in both quarters.
Meantime I hope the bold marauders will not have escaped scathless.
General Samuel Jones was at once telegraphed to lend all aid with
his and General Marshall's forces in chastising the enemy, and,
limited as were your forces, the Department is not without the hope
that your energy and skill have availed to make such as you could
command effective in intercepting the enemy's retreat. |
| No time must be lost in restoring the
communication. The bridges must be at once replaced, if need be, by
the Department. I have ordered the Chief Engineer at once to send
one of his most efficient officers to direct and press the work. He
shall have full authority to impress, if necessary, labor, to make
all requisite contracts, command supplies, and, in short, to replace
the bridges at the earliest practicable time. You will aid him with
your authority, and lend all assistance and facilities he may need.
Make any preparation you deem judicious before his arrival. |
| With high consideration and esteem, most
respectfully, your obedient servant, |
| J. A. Seddon |
| Secretary of War |
|