Southern Historical Society Papers, Volume 17.
Reverend J. William Jones, Ed.

[340] Any derangement in their arrival or disaster to the railroad would render it impossible for me to keep the army together and might force a retreat into North Carolina. There is nothing to be had in this section for men or animals. We have rations for the troops to-day and to-morrow.

* * * * * * I am less uneasy about holding our position than about our ability to procure supplies for the army.

* * * * * We now get bacon for our troops only once in four days, and the Commissary Department informed Colonel Cole, chief C. S. of the army, that we must rely on cattle.

(Telegram,]

There is nothing within reach of this army to be impressed. The country is swept clean; our only reliance is upon the railroads. We have but two days supplies.

* * * * I regret to Le obliged to state under these circumstances, heightened by assaults and fire of the enemy, some of the men had been without meat for three days, and all were suffering from reduced rations and scant clothing, exposed to battle, cold, hail,