"Headquarters Department North Carolina and
Southern Virginia.
"June 14th, 1864.
"General S. Cooper, A. & I. G.
"General: In forwarding my report of the Battle of Drury's Bluff, 16
May, 1864, it seems necessary that it should be accompanied by an explanation
of the apparent inconsistency of its conclusion with my special order
Number 11, May 14th, 1864, relieving the commander of the left wing, and
commending in high terms the conduct of his command in the battle. A
copy of the order is annexed. When it was issued, I still assumed that he
had properly felt and estimated the obstacles and hostile force reported by
him in his immediate front, and that his reports were to be accepted as
maturely considered and substantially accurate. Subsequent investigation,
necessarily requiring time, has, I regret to say, brought me to a different
conclusion.
"Respectfully, your obedient servant,
"(Signed) G. T. Beauregard,
"General.
"Official.
"(Signed) Jno. Blair Hoge, A. A. G."
