how he was hampered in his movements by the deficiencies existing in
the quartermaster's and commissary departments. To the Quartermaster-
General, at Richmond, he writes, October, 1863, after his movement
around General Meade's right, to Manassas:

"...The want of supplies of shoes, clothing and blankets is very great.
Nothing but my unwillingness to expose the men to the hardships that
would have resulted from moving them into Loudoun in their present
condition induced me to return to the Rappahannock. But I was averse
to marching them over the rough roads of that region, at a season, too
when frosts are certain and snow probable, unless they were better
provided to encounter them without suffering. I should, otherwise
have endeavoured to detain General Meade near the Potomac, if I could
not throw him to the north side."

In a letter of the same time to the Honourable James A. Seddon,
Secretary of War:

"...If General Meade is disposed to remain quiet where he is, it was
my intention, provided the army could be supplied with clothing, again
to advance and threaten his position. Nothing prevented my continuing
in his front but the destitute condition of the men, thousands of whom
are barefooted, a greater number partially shod, and nearly all without
overcoats, blankets, or warm clothing. I think the sublimest sight
of war was the cheerfulness and alacrity exhibited by this army in
the pursuit of the enemy under all the trial and privations to which
it was exposed...."

Later on, in January, when the sever weather commenced, he again
writes to the Quartermaster-General on the same subject: