[
257]
Southern Historical Society Papers.
Vol.
VII. Richmond, Va., June, 1879. no. 6.
[Our readers will receive with great interest the following sketches from the facile pen of the gallant soldier whose position on the staff gave him special opportunities for knowing whereof he affirms.]
While the Army of Tennessee was in winter quarters at
Dalton, Georgia,
General Breckinridge was, early in February, 1864, ordered to the command of the Department of
Southwestern Virginia.
He repaired to
Richmond about the middle of that month, and there remained nearly a fortnight in consultation with the
President and War Department, gathering information and receiving instructions concerning his new command.
On the 5th of March he relieved
General Samuel Jones, and formally assumed command of the Department of
Southwestern Virginia, with headquarters at Dublin station, a depot on the Virginia and East Tennessee railroad a few miles west of
New river.
His new command included all of
East Tennessee occupied by the Confederate forces and all of
Virginia west of the
Blue Ridge.
Its great extent of exposed front, with
