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aware of it. In order to obtain additional strength, I ordered Major Gilmer, my Chief Engineer, to go to Nashville and arrange defensive works for its protection, and have provided a sufficient armament.
I will endeavor to render them unnecessary by defending Nashville here, but a proper forecast should induce all to join in their immediate construction, and I, therefore, ask you to have them completed, or take effective measures to furnish the necessary labor for their execution as soon as possible.
The country between this place and Nashville offers no good defensible line, and the works I have ordered should not be neglected.
Such being the situation of affairs, the enemy will be compelled to move against Tennessee by this route or submit to the humiliation of closing a campaign without result or impression upon us in this quarter.
The news from Europe, as well as the dissatisfaction in the North, force them to advance now, or admit that the independence of the Confederacy is virtually established.
The disparity of my force is very great, and exposes our cause to a hazard that it is. most unwise to continue to incur.
Ten or fifteen thousand additional troops would make me feel assured of victory.
With this additional force I could avail myself of every fault of their movements.
Without them, [ must be a spectator without power to seize the opportunities.
Foreseeing all this, for the last four months I have endeavored to obtain additional forces from Tennessee and other States, but, notwithstanding the efforts of your Excellency and other Governors, the response has been feeble and the forces inadequate to the momentous interests involved.
If the people could be properly impressed with the vast exigency all would be safe, the designs of the enemy thwarted, and the Northern mind become disspirited and anxious for peace.
A. company now is worth to the South a regiment next year.
Under these circumstances, I once more invoke your Excellency to impress upon your people these views, and solicit you to forward to me here every man at your disposition.
If well reinforced now, Tennessee, the Valley of the Mississippi, and the Confederacy is safe.
Returning to your Excellency my sincere thanks for the energetic and efficient co-operation which I have received from you
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Richmond, VA. 1877.
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