executive Mansion,
richmond, Va.,
Oct. 11, 1862.
genl. L. T. Wigfall,
My dear Sir:
It has been suggested to me that you thought Holmes had
failed in his duty at Malvern Hill, by being too slow in getting into position,
and in that connection I wish to say to you that he was ordered up from his
position on the South side of James River to aid in the attack upon McClellan's
Army and if possible to prevent it from reaching the James River. It being then
supposed that the enemy would endeavor to reach a landing some distance above
Curl's Neck. He moved down the River Road, taking Gen. Wise and his brigade
with him, to the position indicated, where I found him on Monday morning, most
advantageously posted. He had made a thorough reconnoissance and fully
explained to me his position and plan of operations. He was then about a mile
to the right of the place where I found you with Gen. Longstreet's staff and
where I met Genl. Lee. Genl. Lee had ascertained that the enemy was taking a
different route by what was known as the Quaker Road and he ordered Genl.
Holmes to advance and take position on that road to intercept the enemy's
retreat. He did so promptly, and waited at the place indicated with his
infantry for the approach of the enemy. They did not come, but halted and
offered battle before reaching Poindexter's farm. Genl. Holmes thus fulfilled
all his orders and proved as well his gallantry, as his candor, by subsequently
expressing his regret that no one knew enough of the ground to have indicated
to him what afterward was found to have been feasible, to wit, an attack upon
the enemy's left and rear. It may be that such remarks have led you to suppose
that he was directed to do something which he failed to perform. If so, I am
sure that your fairness needs only to have the facts distinctly pointed out to
you. Genl. Lee reconnoitred the ground as far as he was able and I did the same
thing in person —whilst Genl. Holmes was in position and under a heavy fire
from the enemy's gunboats. Genl. Lee certainly attributed no shortcoming to
Genl. Holmes and it never occurred to me that any blame was fairly to be
attached to him. I write this in justice to the individual but am urged much
more by the consciousness of his peculiar fitness for the command to which he
has been assigned.
Your friend
Jeffer. Davis.
SOURCE: Louise Wigfall Wright, A Southern Girl in
’61, p. 88-9
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