Bill:
I thought there was more to the correspondence I had collected regarding the efforts by the Tenn colonels of Reynolds' Brigade to have him replaced. Here are the letters that I transcribed in 1998 from the service record of James W. Gillespie, 43rd Tenn. Inf., in National Archives, Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers who Served in Organizations from the State of Tennessee, 43d Infantry. Microcopy M268, Roll 291.

Athens Tenn.

Aug. 24th 1863
Gen. S. Cooper
Adj. & I. Gen.
Richmond, Va.
Sir

We a portion of the Cols. commanding the Regiments composing the 4th Brigade, Gen. Stevenson's Division, having been long under the command of Col. A.W. Reynolds & believing that the interest of the public service demands a change of our Brigade Commander and also believing that we are entitled to be commanded by a Brigadier General, we take pleasure in stating that we have the fullest confidence in the courage and ability & patriotism of Col. James W. Gillespie of our own Brigade. We have served with him as senior Colonel and believe that his appointment will be conducive to the best interest of our common cause, as well as satisfactory to the officers & men composing the Brigade.

Should the President however, decline to yield to our suggestions for the appointment of Col. Gillespie we will take this occasion to say that we have full confidence in the gallantry & military ability of Col. John M. Lillard 26th Tenn. & Frank M. Walker formerly 19th Tennessee Regt. Should either of them be promoted and assigned to the command of our Brigade. They are all Tennesseans & the Brigade is composed entirely of Tennessee Troops.

Respectfully,

W.M. Bradford, Col. 31 Tenn.

N.J. Lillard, Col. 3d Tenn.

W.L. Eakin, Col., 59th Tenn.

[Endorsement to 24 Aug. 1863 Bradford-Lillard-Eakin Ltr.]

Head Quarters Parolled Camp

Sweet Water Tenn.

Aug 25th [18]63
Genl. S. Cooper
Adj. & In. Gen.

Sir

Being acquainted with all the partys & facts that they have stated I take the pleasure in Endorsing what they have said & I think that that a Brigade Commander should be appointed from E. Tenn. We have over four Brigades in the field and only two Brigade Commanders.

Very Respectfully

your obt Sevt

John C. Vaughn Brig Genl

[Enclosure to the Bradford-Eakin-Lillard 24 Aug 1863 ltr]

Athens Tenn

Aug. 25 1863

Genl S. Cooper
A&I Genl.
Richmond, Va.

The undersigned Colonels, commanding the respective Regiments composing the 4th Tennessee Brigade, desire that some other officer shall be assigned to command the Brigade.

Personally we have no unkind feelings toward Col. A.W. Reynolds, but we conscientiously believe that it will be palpably and manifestly to the interest of the public service that the change would be made.

The impression prevails among the officers and men of the brigade that we are justly entitled to a Brigadier General, having served for a great while under the command of a Colonel only[,] [and] we ask that for some [other] reason (and perhaps a very good one[)], the President declines to recommend Col. Reynolds for the position.

The frequent, (and as we consider[)], too free use of ardent spirits on the part of Col. Reynolds, renders him inefficient and very objectionable to us; and as we consider, equally as much so to the soldiers under our command.

For these and other reasons, we most earnestly desire [Col. Reynolds] to be removed from his command and another assigned us, in whose character and habits, these objections are not found.

As but few Brigadiers have been appointed from this Division of the State, we think we should have one assigned us from our own Brigade, or at least from E. Tenn, as this will inspire officers and men with a more general spirit of satisfaction.

We furthermore most earnestly desire to be assigned to the command of another Major General, as the dissatisfaction as to Genl Stevenson is very great among men and officers.

Vy Respy

W.M. Bradford, Col
31st Tenn Regt

James W. Gillespie
Col. 43d Tennessee

N.J. Lillard, Col
3rd Tennessee

W.L. Eakin, Col.
59th Tenn Regt

[Endorsement to Bradford-Lillard-Gillespie-Eakin 25 Aug ltr.]

Head Quarters Parolled Camp
Sweet water Tenn 25th Aug [18]63
Genl. S. Cooper
Adj & Insp Genl

Sir

I am personally acquainted with all the facts stated & I feel Ceartain that the good of the Service demands the change that is desired by the Cols.

Very Respectfully

your obt Sevt

John C. Vaughn
Brig. Genl CSA

[Endorsements to the 24 Aug and 25 Aug 1863 letters
from Cols. in A.W. Reynolds former brigade to Gen. S. Cooper, Adj. Gen., Richmond]

Received A&IGO [Richmond] Aug. 28/[18]63

Sep. 2, 1863
Res. referred to Genl. Braxton Bragg for remarks

By order of the A&I General
Ed. A. Palfrey
Lt. Col. & AAG

Oct. 27, 1863

Recvd at Hq Qrs Dept. Of Tenn

Oct. 29, 1863

Respfy refd to Maj. Gen. Stevenson

By order of [Braxton Bragg]

Kinloch Falconer

AA Gen

November 6, 1863

Recd at HQ Exped in East Tenn.

Hd Qrs Exped in E. Tenn
Sweetwater Nov. 6, 1863

If there be any other cause of dissatisfaction than that produced by constant effort on my part to preserve proper discipline in that Brigade, both for their credit & for the interests of our cause it was but just that it should have been stated.

Whatever, nevertheless, may be the cause of the dissatisfaction, it is evident that I cannot expect a faithful cooperation from the signers Regt. Comdrs of this application. And I therefore consent to the transfer of this Brigade from my Division.

C.L. Stevenson

Maj. Genl

Comdg

Hd Qrs Exped. in E. Tenn
Sweetwater
Nov. 6 [18]63

Respy referred to Brig. Genl Reynolds

By command of

Maj. Genl. Stevenson

John J. Reese

Maj & Asst IG

[Endorsements to the 24 Aug and 25 Aug 1863 letters
from Cols. in A.W. Reynolds former brigade to Gen. S. Cooper, Adj. Gen., Richmond]

December 19, 1863
Hd Qrs Reynolds Brig

I have the honor to return the enclosed. The object of the petitioners is too apparent, not to be observed by the Hon. Sec. of War. As to the charges insinuated I prefer to leave the decision as to their truth or falsity to my superiors and those more intimately associated with me than a clique of political and inefficient Colonels, ever ready to make any representations which will free them from proper treatment and military discipline.

The object of the gratuitous endorsement of Brig. Genl Vaughn is to apparent not to be understood.

Very Respy

A.W. Reynolds

Brig Genl

Hd Qrs Hardees Corps
Dec. 20, 1863

Respy forwarded

B.F. Cheatham

Maj. Gen. Cmdg Dept

Returned [to A&IGO, Richmond] Dec. 29, 1863

G.O. No. 3 [illegible]

[Enclosure and comment submitted by Brig. Gen. A.W. Reynolds in partial response to 24 Aug and 25 Aug 1863 letters from Cols. in A.W. Reynolds former brigade to Gen. S. Cooper, Adj. Gen., Richmond]

Camp Near Vicksburg

4th Brigade Stevenson's Division

March 21st 1863
Sir [President Jefferson Davis]

The undersigned Field Officers of this Brigade would respectfully yet urgently recomend and request that our Brigade Commander Col. Alex. W. Reynolds be promoted to the rank of Brigadier Genl.

It is needless that we should here rehearse the military antecendents of Col. Reynolds, So well Known to yourself particularly those connected with our present National Struggle from the Very Commencement of which his Conduct has been meritorious, gallant, and devoted, Winning the Commendation of his Superiors and without exception the ardent attachment of his troops.

This but reflects the universal desire of this Brigade as far as it is Known to us, when we ask that promotion and rank for Col. Reynolds to which we consider him to [be] Justly entitled by both his Career and character as an officer.

Apart from the consideration of the just claims to promotion which was recognized in Col. Reynolds high merit there are reasons of direct interest to ourselves in soliciting that he be advanced from the rank of Col. to that of Brig. Genl. It is Scarcely necessary in this communication to state how much the character of a Brigade may oftentimes be affected by the rank and consequent influence of its Commander.

His position & title are matters of no little pride with his command and they all soon learn in Camps and on the march, as well as in vieing for laurels on the battlefield How many real advantages arise from having a Genl. instead of a Col. for Brig. Commander. For nearly twelve months we have been in the same Division with Col. Reynolds. Since November last he has been our Brigade Commander and we take Sincere pleasure after so long an association in expressing in this mode our Sincere appreciation of his official and personal merit.

The news of Col. Reynolds promotion as most respectfully urged in this letter would be received with expressions of genuine hearty satisfaction throughout our entire Command.

Most Respectfully & Truely

Your obd Servts

Jas W. Gillespie
Col 43d Tenn Vols

W.H. Bradford, Col
Com'dg 31st Tenn Regt

N.J. Lillard
Col, 3d Tenn Vols.

W.L. Eakin, Lt. Col
59th Tenn Regt.

D.M. Kay
Lt. Col 43d Tenn Vols

James W. Humes, Lt. Col
31st Tenn Regt

D.C. Haskin
Lt. Col., 3d Tenn Vols

J.P. Brown, Maj.
59th Tenn Regt

S. Guthrie
Maj. 43d Tenn Vols

Robt. McFarland, Maj.
31st Tenn Regt

J.C. Boyd
Maj., 3d Tenn Vols