Without going into particulars, all soldiers in the field must be careful in this respect. Long-worn clothing had a way of "gathering" things, and it was what had to be done in all our armies. But when the scattered troops saw the brilliant apparition of Captain Ross riding with their General there was a shout and a rush to him. Such was the rough admiration exhibited that harm might have come to him but for Breckinridge. He motioned the men back, said the Captain was his guest, and, "When you fellows get to his army on a visit you will find him treating you more civilly; so get back to your bivouacs and make yourselves clean."
There was a good-natured cheer for Breckinridge, Ross, the President, and all the rest of us, and we got back to camp with much cheerful chaff for poor Ross and his gay uniform.
THE EAST TENNESSEE CAMPAIGN, NOVEMBER 1863, TO APRIL, 1864
Ordered by Bragg to move against Burnside and Knoxville--Our two divisions--Wheeler's cavalry with artillery--Burnside's strength--At Sweetwater, November 21st--Disappointed in supplies--The railway--Pontoons, but no train--Cross Holston at Loudon--Enemy escapes into Knoxville--Hood's old division--Generals Jenkins and Law--Siege of Knoxville--Bull Winthrop--McLaws ready for an assault--Troops ordered to support--General Leadbetter, of Bragg's staff, orders assault--Brigadiers Wofford, Humphreys, and Bryan attacked--Repulsed at Fort Saunders--General Longstreet assumes the blame--Losses.
After a long wait, General Bragg settled on something. He decided to make a move against Burnside and Knoxville. About November 3, Longstreet received his instructions. They were about in line with what the Lieutenant-General wanted instantly after Chickamauga and what should have been done, but the General-in-Chief could not see it, and, welcoming the orders even at this late day, we prepared for a hearty support and active campaign.
The troops of the expedition were to be the two divisions (nine brigades of infantry) brought from Virginia and Alexander's fine battalion of artillery, six batteries; also Leyden's artillery, and Wheeler's powerful body of cavalry (four brigades) and horse artillery. We were also to take up all the loose bodies of troops to be found in the wide district to be covered. A force of about 3,000 men was promised from southwest Virginia.