Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-04-17

meat which together they abandoned when it became
the symbol Of monstrous despot;sm This letter has
been given uae to be used | may think proper for
the vlndicaton of OF General Johnston
fully understood by the public WILL therefore, by the
indulgence of the House. read the letter. that they may
the facts in the light by which bis shaped
previous and subsequent to the fall of DOneson. These
a IS triumphantly vindcate his fame true patriot
and able and skillfu military leader. This letter,
written und=r most trying crcums snces, shows that no
ace OF passion visible in the awful serenity of the
pure, brave, un1aunted spirit in which it originated -
He has left noble example Of magnanimity in the
midst OF unjust complaint and of courage and of forti-
| tude amid disaster His tame rises brighter from the
ordeal through which he has passed. and bis
will live green and fresh forever in the hearts of CRATE
! ful people.
Mr.. Speaker, will close by reading the letter TO
which L have referred,
LETTER OF GENERAL A s. JOHNSTON TO PRESIDENT DAVIS
DECATUR, Ala, March 18th, 1862.
letter by Captain Wicke three days since but the
pressure of affairs and the necessity of getting my
mand across tennessee, prevented me from tending
| you earlier reply.
which the ia of F0rt Doneson drew upon and the
acs which you ght be subjected, but it mposs
BILE for t. gathr the facts 70 detail ed port to
spare time VIII hch required to eXtrcate the remainder
of troops and the large accumulation Of
and provisions after that dishearlening disaster.
transmitted the reports of Generals FLOYD and Pio
without examining anayzng the facts and scarcely with
time to read them
government rged me with the duty Of deciding the
ed only military but political consideration. rne
time OF arrival at Nashville the action of th Legila
tu o. Kentucky had put an end to the latter bv sancon
ing the formation of companies menacing Tenne bQ
assuring the of the government Washington and
by abandoning neutrality it professed and in conse
qaence Of their action the occupstien of Bowling Green
became necesar as an act Of self Defence as least in the
first ap.
About the middle of September General Buckner advan
ced wi small force Of at ont 900 mep which in
by the 18th October 1900 and though acces
sions of force received it continued at about the
strength until the end of November measles other dis
keeping down the effective force The enemys force
then ported to The War department 50,O00 and
ADVANCE was Impossible
Believing to be of the great st moment to proract the
campaign the dearth of cotton mig bring strength from
abroad aud discourage the North and to gain time to
strengthen myself By troops Tennessee other
States magned my forces to the enemy but made known
true strength to the department and the Governors Of
States The aid given small At length when Gener-
al Beauregard February he expressed his
prise at the smaness of my force and was impressed with
the danger of my position. admitted what mani
fes and laid before him my views for the future which
he entirely concufred and sent me memorandum Of
conference, copy of which send to you. determined
to fight fer Nashville at Doneson and the best part
Of to do it, retaining only fourteen thousand
to my 'front.' and giving sixteen thousand to defend
DonesOn.
The force at Donelson stated in General Pillows
at much less, and do not doubt the of his
statement for the force et Bowling Green, which sup
posed to be fourteen thousand effective ( medical
report showing only little over five hundred sick in the
h0spita) diminished than five thousand by those
who were unable to stand the fatigue o march, aud made
my force reaching Nashville less than thousand
| enclose the Medical Directors report.
Had wholly uncovered my front to defend Donelson,
Eu would have known it, and marched directly Nash
land perect eoDdition-only three of ch avail
able at Nashville, while the transportation of the enemy
The evacuation of Bowling Green wa nperativey ne
cessary, and ordered before executed while the
battle was bang fought at .onelson had made every
disposition fog the defence OF the fort my allowed
aud the troops among the best OF my force The Gen
ofcers and men fer skill and courage. and among the
best officers OF by command They were nopua with the
vol nteers, aEd all had much service No rein orce
asked Iawated the pposife sshvilIe
II etuli OF The conflict each day was favourable At
midnight en- the 9th received news Of glorious victory
Ny during day and night was thrown over the
rivera battery had been Established below the city
the passags) Nashville incapable of defence
it's position, and the fore adv nong from Bow
iene Floyd to the stores and provisions
did OF compile ely effect the object The people
lrifed and some OF the troops disheartened he
disc u1ag ut spreading and ordered the command
TO Mnrt esboTo where managed, by assembling Cren
a srny lie to offer battle The weather incltmen
the foods excessive and the bridges washed away
veyed II new depots THIS having 1een accomplished
though with serious loss conformity @ih my original De
sge marched Southwark and crossed the Tennessee
this point, to cooperate with General Beau
garJ sr The defence OF the Valley OF ii Mis- ssippi.
al.Ssdy with General Bag at oorin,h The move
men teemed too hazardous 10y the most experienced
he dlbcul efscung uncl0n not wholly overcome
put /! approachso compile n Day alter t0morraw, On
md my amy yearly - thousand strong. IhiS mast b.
d destroyed before the enemy aHaaohis OBJECT
haV given this sketch, SO that yon may appreciate h
embarassmt 1t whch surrounded me in nay attempting II
remedy the disasters Fort Doneson before al
lu ing to the conduct OF the generals
' When the detached was in hopes that such
disposition would have been made would have enabled
defend the fort withdraw without sacri
fcng the army On the l4h ordered General Floyd by
eeg aph " be lost the fort to get his troops Nash
vie 1t possible tbis might have been done but justice
not alone by the CHI Of snbseGuep information All The
faCS in he
recreary of ar they be collected in ODE
ceived that General Buckne being the junior officer, took
lead in advising he surrender and that General Floyd
acQuesced and they a in tie belief that the
force uld not ma ntan positionall concured that
would require sacrifice of life to extrcate the
complete their information from their scouts lee
them TO believe The conference resulted in the surrend
The command was irregulary transferred, and devov
ed the JUNIOR general bat not apparently to avoid
usl responsibility or from any want OF personal or mora
without remedy therefore, in my first report, remain
ed silent This silence you kind enough attribute
my generosity. will not lay claim to that motive to
my observed silence, seemed to be the
best way to the and the country The fach
not fully knowndiseoHtent prevailed and criticism
condemnation likely to augment than to cure
: the evil. refrained, well knowing that heaV
weuld fall upon but convinced that it better tt
for the present, and defer ptope
time investigation of the conduct of the generals; for
in the meantime their services required and their IT,
ueuce nssfa For these reasons Generals FLOYD and Pill
low assigned to duy; fer still felt confidence
their gaantry their energy and he devotion to the Con
federacy
governed from deep personal OF the friendship
confidence you have always shown and from the con
vcton that they have been withdrawn from me in ad
versity.
All the reports requisite for full official investigation
have been ordered. Generals Floyd and PoF have bee
e suspended from command.
There follow some illusions necessary under
standing Of the main objects Of the letter. and satemen
the dis position OF the forces command which II no
letter closes