384 Southern Historical Society Papers.
shown the position to which General Bragg ordered General Polk,
and the steps taken to occupy it, we now reproduce General Bragg' s
orders to attack :
Headquarters Army Tennessee,
Lafayette, Ga., 6 P. M., September 12.
Lieutenant- General Polk:
General: I enclose you a dispatch from General Pegram. This presents you a fine opportunity of striking Crittenden in detail, and I hope you will avail yourself of it at daylight to-morrow. This division crushed, and the others are yours. We can then turn on the force in the Cove. Wheeler's cavalry will move on Wilder so as to cover your right. I shall be delighted to hear of your success.
Very truly yours,
Braxton Bragg.
Headquarters Army Tennessee, Lafayette, Ga., 6 P. M., Sept. 12th, 1863. Lieutenant- Geiieral Polk, Commanding Corps :
General : I enclose you a dispatch marked "A," and I now give
you the orders of the Comm.anding General — viz: to attack at day-
dawn to-morrow the infantry column reported in said dispatch, at
three-quarters of a mile beyond Peavi^ie Chiirch, on the road to
Gray sville, from Lafayette.
I am, General, etc.,
Geo. W. Brent, Assistant Adjutant General.
Headquarters Army Tennessee, Lafayette, Ga., Sept. 12th, 1863. Lieutenant- General Polk, Commayiding Corps :
General: The enemy is approaching from the south, and it is highly important that your attack in the morning should be quick and decided. Let no time be lost.
I am, General, etc.,
Geo. W. Brent, Assistant Adjutant General.
at my urgent request, the order to march was suspended until daylight to- morrow. The within order was received at 9:05 P. M. My command will be ready to move at 10 P. M. I respectfully request that a staff-officer from corps headquarters may meet me at the head of my column, to designate to me the place where my command is to be camped.
T. C. HiNDMAN, Maj.-GenH Command' g.
