| Headquarters Department No. 2 |
| Tullahoma, Tenn. |
| November 22, 1862 |
| |
| General S. Cooper |
|
Adjutant and Inspector General, C. S. Army
|
|
Richmond
|
|
|
| Sir, |
| You will perceive by my general orders
that the troops are all in motion toward the enemy. The necessity,
after our arduous duty of two months, for some little rest and
reorganization, and for supplying necessaries to the men, such as
clothing, shoes, &c., has detained us some, and the difficulties
of transportation by the circuitous route, via Chattanooga, which we
were compelled to take has delayed us as much. The whole of Generals
Polk's and Hardee's commands are up to this point, and General
Smith's are mostly on this side of the
Tennessee River
. The dispositions made of the infantry and artillery will enable me
to meet the enemy at any moment, should he come out from his
intrenchments, and the cavalry will soon be so posted as to cut his
communications and deprive him of supplies. I hope thus to force him
to fight or fall back. To assail his strong works, garnished with
the heaviest guns, and defended by numbers superior to my own, would
be an act of imprudence, to say the least, which it seems to me
would not be justified by any necessity now existing. Should the
Department differ with me, however, I will undertake it, as I have
troops ready to dare anything their leaders may order. |
| The whole of Middle Tennessee south of
the Cumberland
is tributary to us, and we are drawing immense supplies of
subsistence, with considerable amounts of clothing, leather,
&c., from the region just vacated by the enemy. The people, with
few exceptions, are loyal and true, having once felt the yoke of
Abolition despotism, and are joining our ranks in large numbers.
From information considered reliable, I feel satisfied the enemy
have a force exceeding 60,000 now in and about Nashville, General
Rosecrans in command. Out of his intrenchments we will meet him with
confidence. |
| The want of railroad transportation this
side the Tennessee River
has been a serious drawback in moving troops and supplies. None of
the branch roads were repaired, and the main trunk {the
Nashville & Chattanooga RR} had but a meager
supply of roiling stock. The former will soon be in order, under my
special instructions, and all the rolling stock the company could
spare has been crossed to this side. The labor was great, and the
risk is not small, but the progress of the bridge indicating a
completion by the 15th December, I concluded to undergo both.
Supplies will now go back rapidly, and we hope not only to feed our
forces, but to spare largely for other localities. My headquarters
will be removed in a few days to Murfreesborough. |
| I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient
servant, |
| Braxton Bragg |
| General, Commanding |
|