| Headquarters |
| Russellville, Tenn., January 2, 1864 |
| |
| General S. Cooper |
| Adjutant and Inspector General |
| |
| General, |
| I have just learned that General S.
Jones has declined to aid us in reconstructing our railroad bridges.
As I was directed by you to call upon him for aid, I have
confidently counted on him for assistance. |
| This army is in great distress for want
of shoes and clothing, and in that way so much reduced that we
cannot make other details and remain so near the enemy and live by
foraging. I have now some thirteen companies at work upon the
bridges, and large details at work upon the road this side. In
addition, we are obliged to make large detachments with our foraging
trains. If there is any possible means of his aiding us I hope that
he may be advised to do so. |
| A letter from the Commissary-General of
Subsistence advises my chief commissary of subsistence that we must
not expect supplies from Virginia or any point east of Abingdon. If
this is the case, it cannot be expected to occupy here with any view
to offensive movements, and if no such purpose is contemplated it
loses much of its importance, if not all, after we have consumed the
supplies here. I hope that you will consider our condition and order
clothing for us. We have been away from railroad communications
nearly two months. Most of our baggage has been behind since we left
Virginia. Our officers and men are suffering in consequence. The
weather is now extremely severe and our service very hard. |
| I remain, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient
servant, |
| J. Longstreet |
| Lieutenant-General, Commanding |
|