Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 12.djvu/55

 Reynolds's Brigade — Correction. 45

the undersigned officers and crew of the steamer Florida, in consid- eration of being- released from confinement in Fort Warren, do jointly and severally pledge our sacred word of honor that we will leave the United States within ten days from date of release, and that while in the United States we will commit no hostile act," and I left the fort for the steamer Canada. It may be of importance to state that we were officially informed by Major Gibson, commanding the post part of the time we were there, that we could hold no communication with

the Brazilian authorities.

Very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

Thomas K. Porter, First- Lie7itenayit, Confederate States Navy.

Correction as to the Composition of Reynolds's Brigade — Correspondence Between Governor Porter and Major Sykes.

Nashville, November 12, 1883. Major E. T. Sykes:

Dear Sir, — In your sketch of General Bragg's cam- paigns, published in the November number of the Southern Histori- cal Papers, it is stated in note on page 496, in regard to the battle of Mission Ridge, that " Brigadier-General Alexander W. Reynolds's brigade of East Tennesseeans were the first to give way, and could not be rallied."

I claim some familiarity with the distribution of the troops from this State, and I am positive that there was not a Tennesseean in Reynolds's brigade. Will you please furnish me with your authority for the statement referred to.

Very respectfully,

James D. Porter.

Columbus, Miss., November 14, 18S3.

Governor James D. Porter, Nashville, Tenyi. :

Dear Sir, — Yours of the 12th instant reached me to-day, and I hasten to reply, saying that my authority for the statement in the