[CHAP. XXVIII.

mountains to Sparta; nor do I believe that that army intended to do so until it entertained the belief that its enemy were in force at Altamont and McMinnville. It was supposed that a force heard of as crossing at Kingston, and having a temporary depot at Crossville, might pass by Sparta. To the best of my knowledge and belief it was not known that Bragg was moving by Sparta until his advance actually reached that place early in September.

Question. Do you know any reasons for the belief that General Bragg changed his plan of campaign after leaving the Tennessee River, making Kentucky instead of Nashville his immediate object? f so, state what they are and when the change probably took place.

I have expressed the belief that General Bragg's object was to retake Middle Tennessee. Among other reasons for this opinion I give the following letters from Isham G. Harris and General Beauregard and telegram from Jefferson Davis, captured by our forces. I think the change took place after General Bragg crossed the Tennessee River and ascertained the disposition of troops made to meet his advance in Middle Tennessee. The communications referred to are as follows:

"Confidential.]

"CHATTANOOGA, July 28, 1862.

"Honorable ANDREW EWING:

"MY DEAR SIR: I have just returned from Tupelo, where I had a full and satisfactory conference with General Bragg, the result of which has made me very hopeful, if not entirely confident, as to the early consummation of our hopes.

"I succeeded in getting the general to send two brigades of Cheatham's division of Tennessee troops (General Maury's and General Donelson's) to this place, the two amounting to about 5,000 effectives; with this force added to General Kirby Smith's command we can successfully prevent Buell from crossing the river, and indeed defend our line of railroad from this to the Virginia line.

"I shall return to Tupelo in a few days, to accompany General Bragg in his forward movement. He assures me that he will carry me to Nashville before the last of August, and I have every confidence in his assurance. The army is greatly improved in health, discipline, and spirit, and is in better fighting trim than it has ever been before, while the Federal Army is evidently greatly demoralized and discouraged, in addition to which they have divided the army they had at Corinth, until there is no doubt about our ability to whip them at any point we may attack them before they can concentrate.

"The only difficulty between Tupelo and Nashville is the crossing of Tennessee River, but the general is confident he can cross his army over without serious loss or difficulty, and is at present delayed in his movement north for want of transportation, which he is collecting rapidly and will doubtless be in motion in a few days. He was not determined when I left as to the point at which he would cross-I suppose at Tuscumbia or Florence, but this must of course depend somewhat upon the position of the enemy, &c.

"I should be much pleased to have you go with me to Tupelo and from thence forward to Nashville, but I am satisfied that you can perform more important service by remaining in Middle Tennessee and rallying all the men that can possibly be raised to re-enforce. Forrest. It is of the highest importance that Forrest should remain in that country at some point from which he can strike their lines of communication and keep them constantly cut, so as to prevent the concentration of troops upon us as we advance. His success thus far has been brilliant. He has proved himself a scourge to the vandal cut-throats. God grant he may continue so. He should be very active now for the next few weeks, burning bridges and attacking all small parties of the enemy, which will divert their attention from our movements at Tupelo and perhaps make the impression on their minds that they are to be attacked from this quarter. Our forces from Tupelo will destroy the Memphis and Charleston road, while Forrest is expected to keep the Tennessee and Alabama and the Nashville and Chattanooga roads useless to the enemy. If General Bragg succeeds in crossing the Tennessee River and marching rapidly through Middle Tennessee it places him in rear of Buell's force, now threatening Chattanooga, and compels Buell to fall back, if indeed we do not cut him off. When he falls back General Smith will probably concentrate and pursue him vigorously.

"You will see the propriety of not saying a word to any one as to the concentrated movement of the army, as much depends upon perfect secrecy in these matters. I have written to Forrest fully and inclosed to him full instructions from General Bragg. Colonel John H. Morgan will be with him soon.

"I am please to learn that a firm spirit pervades the whole country, and that our people have not been seduced into error or won from their allegiance to the Government of their choice by the short-lived tyranny of that infamous wretch Andy John-