HEADQUARTERS,
Near Florence, Ala., November 12, 1864.
His Excellency the
PRESIDENT,
Richmond, Va.:
Your telegram of the
7th received to-day. When Sherman moved out of Atlanta he came with five corps
and kept them united until I moved from Gadsden to this point, intrenching
himself wherever he halted. It was only after I reached this point, that he divided
this force. After my descent upon the railroad and Dalton, I did not regard
this army in proper condition for a pitched battle. It is now in excellent
spirits and confident. Before leaving Gadsden I urged on General Beauregard to
send General Forrest across the Tennessee River; this he ordered, and I
intended when leaving Gadsden to cross the river at or near Gunter's Landing.
Finding, however, when I reached that vicinity, that Forrest had not crossed, I
could not without his co-operation pass the
river there, as I required Wheeler to look after my right flank. Forrest
has not yet crossed over, but is moving up on this side of the river and will
join me here. This circumstance, high water, and the fact that I had to draw
supplies from and through a department not under my command, involving delay in
their reaching me, have retarded my operations. As soon as Forrest joins me,
which will be in a few days, I shall be able to move forward. Without the
assistance of Forrest's cavalry I cannot secure my wagon trains when across the
river. You may rely upon my striking the enemy wherever a suitable opportunity
presents, and that I will spare no efforts to make that opportunity.
J. B. HOOD,
General.
SOURCES: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of
the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume
39, Part 3 (Serial No. 79), p. 913; John Bell Hood, Advance and
Retreat, p. 274
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