Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 10.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[172] and Halleck. He said he had never heard of it until a few days before, when Halleck having seen the statement made by you in your pamphlet, spoke to him about it. That so far as he knew, there is not a word of truth in it.

I heard Burnside make the statement in your presence. I have heard Sedgwick and Hancock say they heard Burnside make the statement. I have heard Hooker refer to it, as though he had heard it direct. I am almost certain I have heard Meade say he had heard Burnside make the same statement. I called the Secretary's attention to this in a letter written just before our last move, but he says he never received it.

Nearly every general officer in the Army of the Potomac has heard Burnside make the boast. I believe I wrote you that Hooker had mentioned the subject to the President, and he said he had never heard it.

Yours truly,