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of such a movement as the enemy had now undertaken, and telegraphed to Burnside: ‘Do you hear of any of Bragg's army threatening you from the southwest?
Thomas's command is in bad condition to use, for want of animals of sufficient strength to move his artillery, and for want of rations.
If you are threatened with a force beyond what you can. compete with, efforts must be made to assist you. Answer.’
On the 28th, he said to Burnside: ‘It is particularly desirable that all the territory you now have should be held; but, if any portion must be given up, let it be to the east, and keep your army so that it and Thomas's army can support each other.
It is better that you should be forced from the eastern end of the valley than from the west.
Thomas is in no condition to move from his present position.’
On the 31st, three days before the movement was suggested to Longstreet, Grant informed Burnside: ‘It is reported, on the authority of a Union man, that a large force of Bragg's army is moving towards you.’
Again, on the 1st of November: ‘Should the enemy break through below Kingston, move in force to Sparta and McMinnville, and hang on to him with all your force, and such as I can send you from Bridgeport and Stevenson, until he is beaten and turned back.’
On the 5th, Longstreet's movement having actually begun the day before, Grant said to Burnside: ‘I will endeavor, from here, to bring the enemy back from your right flank as soon as possible.
Should you discover him leaving, you should annoy him all you can with your cavalry, and in fact with all the troops you can bring to bear.
Sherman's advance will be at Bridgeport about Monday next.
Whether Thomas makes any demonstration before ’
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