The General-in-Chief to the Secretary of War.
Although prostrated in bed from weakness and pain, my mind
is troubled by the situation of our suffering troops, and
therefore I think it my duty to address myself to you, Mr.
Secretary, and describe the true situation.
The enemy's forces very near city; ours extended fourteen
kilometres (14,000 yards). Our troops exhausted and sickly
in an alarming proportion. Cannot be brought to the
hospital--needing them in trenches. Cattle without fodder or
hay. Fearful storm of rain, which has been pouring
continuously for past twenty-four hours. Soldiers without
permanent shelter. Their only food rice, and not much of
that. They have no way of changing or drying their clothing.
Our losses were very heavy--many chiefs and officers among
the dead, wounded and sick. Their absence deprives the
forces of their leaders in this very critical moment. Under
these conditions it is impossible to open a breach on the
enemy, because it would take a third of our men who cannot
go out, and whom the enemy would decimate. The result would
be a terrible disaster, without obtaining, as you desire,
the salvation of eleven maimed battalions.
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