Burnside accused him of repeated instances of malicious libel of his command in June, 1864.
Official Records, vol.xxxvi.

pt.iii.p.

751.] I was, however, deeply convinced that my position was the right one, and never changed my rule of conduct in the matter.

The relations of newspaper correspondents to general officers of the army became one of the crying scandals and notorious causes of intrigue and demoralization.
It was a subject almost impossible to settle satisfactorily; but whoever gained or lost by cultivating this means of reputation, it is a satisfaction to have adhered throughout the war to the rule I first adopted and announced.
Wise made no resolute effort to oppose my march after I left Charleston, and contented himself with delaying us by his rear-guard, which obstructed the road by felling trees into it and by skirmishing with my head of column.

We however advanced at the rate of twelve or fifteen miles a day, reaching Gauley Bridge on the morning of the 29th of July.