William Boynton, Sherman's Historical Raid

[76] morning, and have no information of the condition of affairs and the position of your troops. When you were urged to move down the river to General Rosecrans' assistance, that operation was deemed safe and of great importance. The condition of affairs may now be different. You certainly should hold Kingston, and as far below as may seem prudent.

‘Hood will probably send a part of his army to the south-west. Whether to Bragg or by Abingdon is uncertain. I think your available force at Kingston and above should be held in readiness to move up the valley, should the enemy appear in force in south-west Virginia. A copy of this is sent to General Grant.’

‘October 18th.—General Rosecrans still calls for your cooperation with him at Chattanooga, and again suggests that Kingston should be made your main point of defense. In this I agree with him. If he can not hold Chattanooga, you can not hold East Tennessee, as that place threatens the gateway from Georgia. Why is it that you make no report of your position and movements? We are left entirely in the dark in regard to your army.’

‘October 24th.—It now appears pretty certain that Ewell's corps has gone to Tennessee, and its probable object is Abingdon. His force is estimated at from twenty to twenty-five thousand. It is reported that he left Lee's army on Monday last, but did not pass through Richmond. It is therefore most probable that he passed through Lynchburg taking the road to Abingdon.’

The following telegrams were sent by Mr. Lincoln to General Burnside:

Washington, D. C., September 21st., 2 A. M.
To General Burnside, Knoxville:

Go to Rosecrans with your full force without a moment's delay.

A. Lincoln.

September 21st.—If you are to do any good to Rosecrans, it will not do to waste time with Jonesboro. It is already too late to do the most good that might have been done, but I hope it will still do some good. Please do not wait a moment.

A. Lincoln.

September 27.
To Burnside, at Knoxville.

Your dispatch just received. My orders to you meant simply that you should save Rosecrans from being crushed out, believing if he lost his position you could not hold East Tennessee in any event, and that if he held his position East Tennessee was substantially safe in any event.

This dispatch is in no sense an order. General Halleck will answer you fully.

September 27.
To General Burnside, Knoxville.

It was suggested to you, not ordered, that you move to Rosecrans on the north side of the river, because it was believed that the enemy would not