It would be unjust to General Burnside to present these dispatches from the record without his excuses for never aiding Rosecrans. September 6th he telegraphed Halleck from Knoxville:
‘We are making some movements to aid Rosecrans. A bearer of dispatches leaves here this evening or to-morrow with papers.’September 17th he telegraphed concerning a force which he had at Athens communicating with Rosecrans. On the 19th:
‘Am now sending on men that can be spared to aid Rosecrans. I shall go on to-day to Jonesboro. As soon as I learn the result of our movement to the east will go down by railroad and direct the movement of the reenforcements for Rosecrans. I have directed every available man in Kentucky to be sent down.’On the 20th, from Knoxville:
‘Dispatch of 18th received. You may be sure that I will do all I can fox Rosecrans. Arrived here last night, and am hurrying troops in his direction. I go up the road to-night for a day.’September 21st he telegraphed General Halleck from Morristown:
‘Before I knew of the necessity of sending immediate assistance to Rosecrans I had sent a considerable portion of my force to capture or drive out a large force of the enemy under General Sam. Jones, stationed on the road from Bristol to Jonesboro, * * * * when the urgent dispatches from Rosecrans and yourself caused me to send back Brigadier-General Whick's division and Colonel Woolford's brigade of cavalry, with orders to move as rapidly as possible until they joined Rosecran's left flank. * * * When you remember the size of our forces, and amount of work we had to do, and the length of line occupied, you will not be surprised that I have not helped General Rosecrans, more particularly as I was so far impressed with ’
