It appears, by official
endorsement, to have been received by the Adjutant-General on
the 18th of October, though it is dated August 26, 1861.
"With much surprise I found that the newspaper statements were
sustained by the text of your report. I was surprised, because,
if we did differ in opinion as to the measure and purposes of
contemplated campaigns, such fact could have no appropriate
place in the report of a battle; further, because it seemed to
be an attempt to exalt yourself at my expense; and, especially,
because no such plan as that described was submitted to me. It
is true that, some time before it was ordered, you expressed a
desire for the junction of General Johnston's army with your
own. The movement was postponed until the operations of the
enemy rendered it necessary, and until it became thereby
practicable to make it with safety to the Valley of Virginia.
Hence, I believe, was secured the success by which it was
attended.
"If you have retained a copy of the plan of campaign which you
say was submitted to me through Colonel Chesnut, allow me to
request that you will furnish me with a duplicate of it."
"Very respectfully yours, etc.,"
(Signed) "Jefferson Davis."
As General Beauregard did not think proper to omit that portion of his
report to which objection was made, it necessitated, when the entire
report was transmitted to Congress, the placing of an endorsement upon
it, reviewing that part of the report which I considered objectionable.
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