Order

Unknown, March 22, 1862

HEADQUARTERS, CAMP BARTOW, VA.,

SIR: In obedience to the orders of the President, conveyed through

you to Major-General Holmes, on account of certain unofficial reports — –

which had reached his excellency about, the destruction of tents, ammunition, public property, &e., in my division, I have made a detailed report to Major-General Holmes. – . ^

I trust that it will completely satisfy his excellency that I have been malieiously slandered. Something is due to me, and I most

respectfully

demand from the justice of the President the source of his information.
I also respectfully request that my report may be referred, in extenso,
to General J. E. Johnston, under whose orders I acted entirely. I also:
respectfully request to be informed whether my division alone is the
subject of such reports. If it is taken as the exemplar in this matter,
in justice to the officers and men I may say, without offense, that the .
country and the cause have reason to congratulate itself on the army.
Very respectfully,
Editor's Notes
From: Operations in Maryland, N. Virginia, W. Virginia, 1861–62.
Sources
The War of the Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 5 View original source ↗