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[52]
ever aware of its existence?
If so, I pronounce the assumption unfounded.”
I quote freely from Colonel Johnston's book, where I encountered these allegations, as I have reason to assume that he and Captain Polk conferred very fully in relation to them, and that the article which now appears in the last volume of the Historical Papers as “facts, &c.,” is specially designed to establish this error as an historical record.
In resuming the thread of events we note that General Polk states that General Bragg was present during his interview with General Beauregard.
This is a significant fact, in connection with that other fact, that General Bragg commanded the Second corps, embracing Ruggles's division, and was also chief of staff of General Johnston's army, of which General Beauregard was the second in command; and still another fact, that Major Munford, of General Johnston's staff, had previously held communication with General Bragg, in person, on identically the same subject.
It may thus be claimed that General Bragg held the key to the situation, and to assume that he was not cognizant of the facts connected with the march of my division, as well as that of General Clark, of Polk's First corps, would be a violent presumption and a reflection upon his intelligence, zeal and indomitable energy in the execution of his inexorable official duties.
Had I been delinquent in the march of my division, in any particular, he would have displaced the commander of “the missing column” on the spot!
General Bragg was an officer of prompt and vigorous action, requiring at all times, and under all circumstances, the prompt and vigorous execution of his orders.
I had seen service with him during the war with Mexico — then my junior — and in disciplining his troops at Pensacola — then my senior; and well knew that he relied upon my vigorous execution of an imperative duty, and indeed that he would pursue with rigor the least degree of failure in its performance.
Colonel Johnston states that “Polk's answer was sufficient — that Clark's division was ready to move at 3 o'clock A. M.” Let us follow this logic to legitimate conclusions.
Attention is invited to the subjoined copy of an order:
Sir,--Take your ambulances and ammunition wagons, with an
