Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1862-04-15
Letter of Gen. A. Johnston to President
I1hvis.


from Richmond, with your private letter, by
Capt. Wickliife, three days since; but the pres
sure of affairs, and the necessity of getting my
command across the Tennessee, prevented me
from sending you an earlier reply.
anticipated all that you have told me as to
the censure which the fall of Fort DOnelson
drew upon me, and the attacks to which you
might be subjected, but it was impossible for me
to gather the facts for detailed report, or to
spare time which was required to extricate the
remainder of my troops, and save the large ac-
cumulation of stores and provisions after that
disheartening disaster.
transmitted the reports of Generals Floyd
and Pillow without examining or analyZing the
facts, and scarcely with time to read them.
When about to assume command of this De-
partment, the Government charged me with the
duty OF deciding the question of occupying
Bowling Green, KY, which involved not only
military, but political considerations. At the
time Of my arrival at Nashville, the action OF
the Legislature of Kentucky had put an end to
the latter by sanctioning the formation of COM
pan,es menacing Tennessee, by assuming the
cause of the Government at Washington, and
by abandoning the neutrality it professed, and in
consequence of their action, the occupation OF
Bowling Green became necessary as an act of
self-defence, at least, in the first step.
About the middle Of September Gen. Buckner
advanced with small force OF about 1000 men,
winch Was increased by the 15tn of October to
II, 600, and, though accessions of force were re-
ceived, 1t continued at about the same strength
until the end of November, measles and other
diseases keeping down the effective force. The
enemy's force then was reported to the War De-
partment so 900, and an advance was impossible
Believing it to be of the greatest moment to
protract the campaign, as the dearth of cotton
might bring strength from abroad and discourage
the North, and to gain time to strengthen myself
by new troops from Tennessee and other States,
| magnifed my forces to the enemy, but made
known mytrue strength to the Department and the
Governors OF States. The aid given was small. At
length, when Gen. Beauregard came out in Feb
ruary, he expressed his surprise at the smalness
OF my force, and was impressed with the danger
of my position. l admitted what was so mani
fest, and laid before him my views for the future,
IN which he entirely concurred, and sent me
memorandum of our conferences, a copy of
which send to you. determined to fight for
Nashville at Fort Donelson, and gave the best
part OF my army to do it, retaining only 1000
men to cover my front, and giving Ii, 900 men
to defend Doneleon.
The force at Donelson is stated in Gen. Pill
lows report at much less, and do not doubt the
Bowling Green, which supposed to be $4,000
effective men, (the medical report showing lit
tie over 500 sick in the hospital } was diminish
ed more than 1000 by those who were unable to
stand the fatigue of march, and made my force
on reaching Nashville, less than 10 900 men. I
enclose Medical Directors report.
Had wholly uncovered my front to defend
Donelson, Buell. would have known it and march
ed directly on Nashville. There were only ten
small steamers in the Cumberland, in imperfect
condition-only three of which were available at
Nashville, while the transportation of the ene-
my was great.
The evacuation of Bowling Green was impera-
wo arodh hafo o,,d =
ecuted while the battle was being fought at Don
eson. l had made every disposition for the de-
fence OF the fort by the means allowed and the
troops were among the best of my force. The
Generals-Floyd, Pillow, and Bnckner-were
high in the opinion Of officers and men fer skill
and courage, and among the best officers of my
command. They wer popular with the volnn-
teers, and all had seen much service. No rein
forcements were asked. awaited the event op-
posite Nashville. The result of the conflict
each day was favorable. At midnight on the
18th I received news of q glorious victory-at
dawn of defeat.
My column during the day and night was
thrown over the rivera battery had been es-
| tabllshed below the city to secure the passage.)
Nashville was incapable of defence from its po-
| sition, and from the forces advancing from Bowl
ing Green and up the Cumberland. rear guard
was left under Gen. Floyd to secure the stores
provisions, but did not completely effect the OBJ
lJect. The people were terrified, and some of the
troops were disheartened. The disbursement
was spreading, and ordered the command to
Murfreesboro', where / managed, by assembling
Crittenden's division and the fugitives from Dom
| elson, to collect an army agle to offer battie.-
The weather was inclement, the foods excessive
and the bridges were washed away, but most of
the stores and provisions were saved and convey
ed to new depots. That having been accomplish
ed, though with serious loss, in conformity with
my original design, | marched southwark and
crossed the Tennessee at this point, as to CO.
operate or unite with General Beauregard for the
defence of the Valley of the Mississippi The
| passage is almost completed, and the head of my
column is already with Gen. Bragg at Corinth
The movement was deemed too hazardous by the
| most experienced members of my staff, but the
OBJECT warranted the risk. The difficulty of ef-
fecting junction is not wholly overcome but it
approaches completion. Day after tomorrow,
unless the enemy intercept me, my force will be
with Bragg, and my army nearly strong,
IHIs MUST BE DESTROYED BEFORE THE ENEMY CAN
ATTAIN HIS OBJECT.
l have given this sketch so that you may ap-
preclate the embarrassment which surrounded
me In my attempts to avert or remedy the disas-
ter OF Fort Qonelson, before alludng to the con-
duet of the Generals
hen the force was detached, was in hopes
that such disposition would have been made as
would have enabled the forces to defend the fort
or Withdraw without sacrificing the army. On
A1eH3 oIuoTtu zen. FlOyO Oy the telegraph.
elf he lost the fort to get his troops to Nash
VILE" 1t is possible this might have been DONE
but justice requires to look at events as they ap
peared at the time, and not alone by the light Of
subsequent information. All the facts in rela-
ton to the surrender will be transmitted to the
Secretary of War, as soon as they can be collect
ed, in obedience to his order. 1t appears from
the information received, that Gen. Buckner, be-
ing the junior officer, took the lead in advising
the surrender, and that Gen. Floyd acquiesced
and they al concurred in the belief that their
force could not maintain their position-all con-
Cured that 1t would require sacrifice of life to
extrlcate the command. Subsequent events
snow tnat the investment was not so complete as
the information from their scouts led them to be-
lleve. The conference resulted in the surrender
The command was irregulariy transferred and
devOlved on the Junior General, but not appar-
entity to avoid any just responsibility, or from
any w'nt of personal or moral intrepiditv. The
blow was most disastrous, and almost without a
remedy. l, therefore, in my first report remain
ed silent. This silence you were kind enough
TO attribute to my generosity. will not Law
claim to the motives to excuse my course. oh
served silence, as it seemed to be the best wav
TO serve the cause and the country, The facts
were not fully known discomfort prevailed. and
criticism or condemnation was more likely to
augment than to cure the evil. I refrained. well
knowing thst heavy censures would fall upon ma.
but convinced that better to endure them for
the present aid defer to more propitious time
an investigation of the conduct of the Generals:
Tor, IN the meantime, their services were reaur-
cd and their influence useful. For these reasons
Generals Floyd and Pillow were assigned to du
ty; for still felt confidence in their gallantry,