Vol XXXI. [?] 1. page 466

—This follows the general report on Knoxville—

                                                                                                Headquarters,

                                                                        Russellville, East Tenn., Jan. 19, 1864

 

General S. Cooper,

            Adjutant and Inspector General:

 

General: In my report of the campaign in East Tennessee I neglected to state that Brigadier General Law, with his own and Brigadier General Robertson’s brigade, was ordered to make a diversion on the south side of the Holston at the same time that the attack was made on the enemy’s fort by Major General McLaws, and that he succeeded in turning the enemy’s position and got possession of his trenches at the point of his attack. This diversion on the south side I have learned since had the effect to prevent the reserve intended for the enemy’s fort re-enforcing there, and that there was but 150 men in the fort, and that at one time it was virtually surrendered, but that our troops did not enter, and the enemy recovered courage and again opened fire. May I ask the favor to have this attached as part of my report of the campaign?

 

            I remain, very respectfully, your obedient

                                                            servant,

                                    James Longstreet

                        Lieutenant General, Commanding

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