MISSIONARY RIDGE, November 11, 1863.
General S. COOPER, Richmond:
The last of General Sherman's forces left Florence, moving east, on 6th. He has five divisions, estimated by General Lee at 20,000. General Dodge crossed at Eastport on 7th with one division. Longstreet ought to be over the Tennessee. But I hear nothing from him.
BRAXTON BRAGG.
BRAGG'S HEADQUARTERS,
November 12, 1863.
Lieutenant-General LONGSTREET:
Your several dispatches of to-day astonish me. All your infantry left on Sunday last, the most of your artillery on Monday night, and the last gun yesterday morning. Transportation in abundance was on the road and subject to your orders. I regret it has not been energetically used. The means being furnished, you were expected to handle your own troops, and I cannot understand your constant applications for me to furnish them.
BRAXTON BRAGG.
Source: Official Records
Commentary
The following two notes, one to Sam Cooper, the other to Longstreet, are illuminating. In the first, Bragg gives a general situation report of his front, and then tells Cooper that he has heard nothing from Longstreet, despite the fact Longstreet has sent several messages over the past few days.
The second letter, sent to Longstreet the day after Bragg told Cooper he was receiving no information from Longstreet, almost speaks for itself. Bragg was entertaining none of what Longstreet had to say.
The later failures of the Knoxville campaign cannot be laid at Bragg's feet. (Longstreet himself is responsible for the failed assualt.) However, one is compelled to wonder of the possibilities of this campaign had Bragg and Longstreet cooperated with one another as they should have.