ORs: (CS) Message from Gen. Polk - July 4, 1863

War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies
Series 1, Volume 23, Part 1, Page 625

HEADQUARTERS POLK’S CORPS, ARMY OF TENNESSEE,
July 4, 1863—7 a. m. [?]

GENERAL:
The lieutenant-general commanding acknowledges receipt this moment of your note of yesterday 7 p. m. respecting supply of axes. He has stripped his batteries in order to comply with your request, and sends back by a detail all the available axes of his command, which he regrets to say may not be more than a dozen; but these, if regularly handled, may accomplish the desired work. The descent is exceedingly difficult. General Wharton has already been instructed to send forward to the top of the mountain a detail, with all his available axes, to commence at once the worn of obstruction by cutting the trees half in two, to be completed after you shall have passed. The axes now collected are sent to General Martin, who will detail an adiquate force to co-operate with General Wharton in this work.

Respectfully, general, your obedient servant,

THOMAS M. JACK,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

[Maj. Gen. JOSEPH WHEELER.]

Sent to General Martin to be read and acted on by him and by General Wharton.

THOMAS M. JACK,
Assistant Adjutant-General.