Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-07-25
LETTER FROM GENERAL PILLOW.

utLaHFHlS1 july ~ lcol'
EDITORS APPEAL: I have read in the AP-
PEAL and Avalanche of this date, the card Of
the governor Of Tennessee in relation to the
transfer Of the forces Of the State to the Con-
federate service, and his views in explanation
thereof. Knowing that this is q subject
deeply interesting to the volunteers under my
command and to the people Of the State, and
being satisfied that there has been misappre-
hensioh in the public mind upon this subject,
l deem it not improper to say that in all my
official correspondence and intercourse with
the governor of Tennessee, his card Uf to-day
states correctly the views expressed TO ne and
the position occupied by hin in the corresPon-
dence with the Confederate Government.
l state further. that l informed Governor
Harris in my first Official dispatch upon the
subject of this transfer, that I approved of the
proposed transfer, that l was indifferent as to
the mode Of doing it, but that I was anxious
as far as possible to retain for the troops the
officers of the line and general staff appoint
ed by the State to command and provide for
the wants Of the army, and that as there was
identity OF interest, Of sympathy and OF flu
tuTe reputation between the commanders
Of the line, the general staff and the troops,
there was in these motives to right action,
higher guarantees OF proper attention to their
wants than could otherwise be obtained.
| also, informed him that | did not wish him
to feel the slightest embarrassment il regard
to my OWN pOsiti01-tbat 10 matter what dis
position was made OF myself, | was pre-
pared to make any sacrifice for the interest
Of the country that in defense Of it against
the invading forces Of the government of
the North l would fight in any position in
which my services could be useful, and that
rather than abandon her standard in this hour
Of peril, | would not hesitate to take position
in the ranks. am satisfied that Gov. Harris
has never intimated as a condition precedent
to the transfer, that all officers Of the staff and
line should be retained, nor do believe any
request that be should do so has been made.
In Gov. Harris' conduct in this whole nego-
~tiation, and in his direction of the operations
Of the army and Of the public service, and in
the appointments ia supplying the line and the
general STAFF, | believe be rose above all party
prejudice, personal partialities and antipathies,
that be had an eve single 70 the honor and in
teTest of the country, and as a patriot deserves
and should receive the approval of the entire
country. The highest evidence Of this Impair
tiality is to be found in the fact that
his appointments embrace a larger num-
Der Of the former Union element than
Of he resistance party. That he has
felt a deep interest in the welfare Of the troops,
that be has anEiously looked to their wants
and supplied every requisition as far IS was in
his power and contributed all he could to allevi-
ate the suferings and hardships of the soldiers
life, | have the pleasure OF testifying as the
commanding general Of the army.
Without having anything to say in regard to
political questions, but looking singlY and
alone to bis conduct as commander-in-chie- of
the army Of Tennessee, I feel it my duty thus
publicly to testify my approval Of bis conduct
and my admiration OF his elevated patriotism.
With great respect,
GIN. / PILLOW.