New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1862-04-23
Sen. .5onnssonss letter.

i \ The letter Of Gen. Al S. Johnston to Presiden
Davis Which we copy below, was read IN th
House of Representatives ON the sth inst, by Mr.
Rarksdales Of Mississppi, during the tendency 9
resolutions concerning the battle Of Shiloh, an,
the death of Gen. Johnston. Mr. Barksdale sal,
that It was probably the last letter written by TIL
: General J 3ssy as ri
+ sDEtAT1R, ALA, March 49, 1867.
i nv Dear Geaeral. Il received tho dispatches
i from Richmond, with your private letter, by Capt
Y Wicke, three days since; but the pressure of at
fairs, and the necessity OF getting my command
o across the Tennessee, prevented me from sending
Il you an earlier reply. IA s.# 8$S
III Participated I'LL that you have told me as to til,
eensure which the full Of Fort Donelson drew upor
I line, and the attacks to which you might be sub
3eeted but it was impossible for me to gather til,
facts for de tailed report, or to spare time which
was required TO extricate the remainder OF my
troops, and save the large accumulation Of storet
and provisions after that dsheartening disaster. 6
Fl transmitted the reports of Gems Floyd and Pill
low without examining or anal yzing the facts, and
81 and scarcely with time to read them.
II When about to assume command of this Depart.
1 ment, the Government charged me with the duty
n Of deciding the question of occupying Bowling
Green, Kentucky, which involved not only military
II but politica consideration. Attic time of my ar
rival at action of the Legislature of
Kentucky had put an end to the latter by sanction
a Ing the formation OF companies menacing Tennes.
II see by assuming the causesof the Government at
Il Washington, and by abandoning the neutrality it
pT0fessed. and in consequence OF their action the
j Occupation Of Bowling Green became necessary as
an act of self-defence, at leastin the first step.
4 "A bout the middle of September Gen. Buckner
a advanced with small force of about 1000 men,
Il which was increased, by the 18th October, to
$4,000, and though the aceessons of force were
received, 1t continued at about the same streng til
until the end Of November, measles and other
diseases keeping down the effective force The
Il enemy Is force then was reported to the War De-
II partment at SO 900; and an advance was impos-
Y sibIe. - 5s3s
Believing it to be Of the greatest moment to pro
tract the camp ign as the dearth of cotton might
4 bring strength fr9n abroad and discourage the
Il North, and to gain time to strengthen myself by.
\ new troops from Tennessee and other States, II
magnitied my forces to the enemy, but made known
tny true strength to the Department and the
/ Goyerners Of the states The aid given was small
i Al length, when Gen. Beauregard came ont in
February ne expressed his surprise at the small
mess OF my force, and was impressed with the dan
ger Of my position. 4 admitted what was manifest,
/ and laid before him my views for the future in
which he entirely concurred; and sent me a memo
i randum Of our conference, copy Of which send
Ito you. Determined to fight for Nashville at
i tDOnelson, and gave the best part Of my army to
Is retaining only fourteen thousand men to cover
sny front, and giving sixteen thousand to defend
II Donelson. S3s5sss} a 80 go
The force at Donelsoni is stated in Gen. piljaw,s
report at much less, and do not doubt the cor
rectness OF his statement, for the force at Rowling
Green, which Isnpposed to be fourteen thousand
ISeHectiye men, (lhe medical report showing only q
little oyer five hundred sick ID the hospital was
diminished more than five Thousand by those who
were unable to stand the fatigue of a march, and
made my force on reaching Nashville less than ten
thousand men. enclose the Medical Directors
report. Ia n ~
Had 4 wholly uncovered my front to defend
Donelson, Buell. would have knownit, and marched
directly on q Nashville. There were only ten small
steamers in the Cumberland in imperfect con. |
! GtieHz0nly three Of. which were available at
Nashville, while the transportation of the enemy
was q, great, M III,
lively necessary and was ordered before and exc i
euted while the battle was being fought at Done |
son: had made every disposition for the defence
81 tAe tort my means allowed and the troops were
among The sbest@of my force. The Generals
Floyd, Pillow and Buckner-Were high in the
opinion OF Officers and men for skill and courage,
and among the best officers Of my command. They
much service. No reinforcemenfs were asked. II
awaited the event opposite Nashville. The result
Of the Conflict each day was favorable. At mid
night on the 18th eiyed news Of glorious vic-
tory--at dawn of q defeat. $50
My column, during the day and night, was
thrown.oyef the river Ga battery had been estab-
aailed below the city, to secure the passage.)
lion and from the forces advancing from Bowling
Green and up the Cumberland. "A rear guard was 4
left Under General Floyd, to secure the stores and
PROVISIONS p, but did not completely effect the
III
the troops discontinued The dsconra cement was +
spreading and orde ed the comman nd to Murfrees.
noro, where managed, by combining Critten.
denis Division and the fugtiVes from Donelson ia II
collect an army able to offer battle. 800
me weather was inclement, the floods excessive 4,
and the briuges were washed away but most OF
lne stores ana provisions were saved and conveyed
70 new depots. This having been Accomplished.
though with serious loss, in conformity with nv
original design, marched Southwark and crossed
~ tennessee e ct this point, 50 as to cooperate
WIN zen Beanregard Tor the defence Of the val
icy ct thee Mississippi The passage is almost
completed, and the head of my column is already
With Bragg At gorinth. The movement was deem {
e soo hazardous BY the most experienced mem.
pers OF my stan, bnt the object warranted the
risk. The difficulty Of effacting Junction Iii not
wholly overcome but il approaches completion.
Day AFTER tomorrow unless the enemy intercepts
ne, ny forces will be with Bragg, and my army
nearly --= thonsand strong. This must be destoy.
ca neIofe tue enemy can attain his object, - Is
z \ nave gwen this sketch SO that you NAV appre f.
clate g! EDS embarrassment which surrounded me III
Fort Doneison, before auding to the Generate
When the force was detached was in homes
hattsuch disposition would have been made a. i
you'd nave enabled the forces to defend the fort
y Withdraw without sacrificing the army. on the !
[4th,l ordered Gen. Floyd, by telegraph, III Ia
ost the fort to get his troops to NashYiiIe IL h
possible this might have been done but Justice re-.
lnsss Y look ~ events Is they appeared athe
ormatlon.s.A All the facts In relation to the sur.
ander will be transferred to the Secretary Of Ear.
9 soon as they can be collected, in obedience t.
lls order. Y appears, from the Information re.
eiged that Gen. kner, being the junior officer.
ooK me lead III advising the surrender and that al
Floyd qniesced, and they all concurred in I.
ne belief That their force could not maintain its :,
ooston- eoneurred that il would REQUIRE 4
treat crifce Of life to extricate tue command.
4 subsequent events show that the Investment s.
VasSnot so complete as their information from
helr scouts led them to believe. The Conference
esulted in the surrender The command was i.
eguiarly transferred, and devolved on the Junior @
General, but not apparently to avoid any lust III
esponslb,ty, or from any want of personal 5or h,
loTal epidity. The blowswas most dsastro,is :
rst report remained silent - e
ms silence you were kind enough to attribute
Iny generosity will not lay claim to the mo. II
Ne 70 excuse my course. I observed silence. asit
semed to be the best way to serve the cause and
,e country The fact' were NOT fully known. dis =
ontent prevailed and criticism OF Condemnation )
ere more likely to augment than L, cure the evil! =
renamed well knowing that heavy censures g g
'oald falt upon me; but convinced that ii was Y
etter 20 endure them for the present, and defer X
!, 9 more proper me an investigation Of the CON 8
uca q The ienera's; for, int he meantime their Al
srplees were required and their influences use,ul.
OF these reasons Generals Floyd and Pillow were Is
Init