Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 08.djvu/475

Rh In all that I have said as to the delay I do not wish to be understood as casting blame upon any of the commands preceding General Polk. They and their commanders did their best in the march, as in the battle. General Beauregard, in his official report, tells the story when he says: "It was expected we should be able to reach the enemy's lines in time to attack him on the 5th instant. The men, however, were for the most part unused to marching, the roads narrow, and traversing a densely wooded country became almost impassable after a severe rain storm on the 4th, which drenched the troops in bivouac, hence our forces did not reach the intersection of the road from Pittsburg and Hamburg, in the immediate vicinity of the enemy, until late Saturday afternoon." Of the corps commanders themselves he speaks in the most generous terms. After detailing the battle he says:

With this tribute from a generous commander to the four noble dead, permit me to close my communication, but not before expressing the hope that it may prove of some service to the earnest seeker after truth in history.

, M. D. (late) Captain, Adjutant and Inspector-General Department, P. A. C. S. New York City, August 25, 1880.