Hugh - Great insight... but still wish I knew why and for how long Tyler was sitting in Bate's chair. Maybe Bate was simply on furlough or something and Tyler was temp.

Tyler wrote this letter to Slatter while Slatter (an exiled newspaperman from Winchester, TN) was working and living in West Point (Troup Co. GA).

Letter (or copy of) was later sent by Slatter (who became Mayor of Winchester)to S. Cunningham and it was printed in CV magazine. I am fairly certain it is authentic... now whether it is totally truthful.....?

BTW, what became of Bragg when Johnston took the Army?