view that at some future day it may serve to "vindicate the truth of history." I place it at your disposal with that view.

Truly, your friend,

S. B. BUCKNER,

Major-General.

[31.]

MISSIONARY RIDGE, November 7, 1863.

President DAVIS,

Richmond, Va.:

All thinkgs now seem to work together for good. Unless otherwise ordered I proposed to leave here on Tuesday for Richmond.

JAMES CHESNUT, Jr.,

Colonel and Aide-de-Camp.

[31.]

MISSIONARY RIDGE, November 9, 1863.

The PRESIDENT,

Richmond, Va.:

In consideration of the success of Jones at Rogersville, the movement of [Longstreet?] to Loudon, the coming of large re-enforcements to the enemy, and the consequent situation of this army, does it not become of the utmost moment to send rapidly as possible a division to Jones from Virginia, that the enemy here and in East Tennessee may be certainly circumvented before the arrival of Sherman?

JAMES CHESNUT, Jr.,

Colonel and Aide-de-Camp.

[31.]

RICHMOND, VA., November 9, 1863.

General B. BRAGG,

Near Chattanooga, Tenn.:

Colonel Chesnut's dispatch of the 9th received. Present operations in Northern and Western Virginia render it impossible to adopt suggestion.

JEFFERSON DAVIS.

[31.]

RICHMOND, VA., November 11, 1863.

General B. BRAGG,

Near Chattanooga, Tenn.:

GENERAL: The President directs me to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram in cipher of the 4th instant, to which constant travel and accumulated of business have not permitted him sooner to attend. His Excellency regrets that the weather and condition of the roads have suspended the movements to which you refer, but hopes that such obstacles to your plans will not long obstruct them. he feels assured that you will not allow the enemy to get up all his re-enforcements before striking him, if it can be avoided, and does not deem it necessary to call your attention to the importance of doing whatever is to be done before the enemy can collect his forces, as the longer the

36 R R-VOL LII, PT II