[555] am carrying into effect, to the best of my ability, instructions received. The movement is now in progress, and, as soon as possible, I will unite forces with Major-General Ransom. The equivalent of two full brigades is still due.
Telegram.
Please read two telegrams of to-day from Honorable Secretary of War, and my answers. I must insist on receiving orders only from one source, and that from the General Commanding.
Telegram.
Your two telegrams of this date are received. They pain and surprise. I do not feel this to be an appropriate time to reply fully to them. I may do that hereafter. At present I have only to say that while your past services, patriotism, and reputation are fully appreciated, you are, on these accounts, only the more relied on, and expected to use every effort in your power, with all your forces, to carry out the instructions of the Department, and accomplish the junction of all our forces to fight the enemy or defend the capital.James A. Seddon, Secy. of War.
Telegram.
Major-General Pickett reported himself sick yesterday evening, and has been confined to his room since.
Telegram.
Have ordered General Hoke, should enemy have evacuated his front and be re-embarking, to attack him, while I send a force from here to attack those at City Point. If this does not meet your views, please send him via Drury's Bluff, and courier a duplicate of your answer.
Telegram.
Offensive movement against enemy has commenced. General Hoke's division in the advance, supported by Pickett's division. Give necessary orders to Major-General Ransom.
Your telegram to General Ransom received, and your orders to General Hoke
This text is part of:
This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 United States License.
An XML version of this text is available for download, with the additional restriction that you offer Perseus any modifications you make. Perseus provides credit for all accepted changes, storing new additions in a versioning system.