28 July 1862: “The junction with Genl. Bragg if effected in time will I trust enable the two armies to crush Buells column and advance to the recovery of Tennessee and the occupation of Kentucky.”

Item description: Letter, dated 28 July 1862, from Jefferson Davis to Edmund Kirby Smith.

Item citation: From the Edmund Kirby-Smith Papers, #404, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Item transcription:

Confederate States of America
Executive Department
(Official Business.)

July 28, 1862

Genl.

I have the pleasure to acknowledge your’s of the 14. with inclosures manifesting at the same time your regard for me and your love of justice. A long experience has somewhat blunted my sensibility to undeserved censure, but has not weakened my appreciation of such generous and manly defence as that which you made against one of the many misrepresentations of my official conduct.

I rejoice to learn that your health is so much improved as to permit you actively to resume command. The junction with Genl. Bragg if effected in time will I trust enable the two armies to crush Buells column and advance to the recovery of Tennessee and the occupation of Kentucky.

We hope to soon to strike another blow here and are making every effort to increase the force so as to hold one army in check whilst we strike the other. McClellan is still on the James River, Pope at the foot of the Blue-ridge north oc the Rappahannock. He, the latter, is trying to establish in Va. the reign of terror with which he paralyzed Mo. but the presence of an army is an element he has failed to estimate and may find himself the the victim instead of the non combattant population over which he attempts to tyrannise. For weeks past it has been my purpose to visit your line, but it has not been possible thus far, and the approaching meeting of Congress may not permit me to do so hereafter.

With my best wishes for your welfare. I am very truly your friend.

Jefferson Davis

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