Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1862-04-08
DE FENCE APPROPRIATIONS.

The Sclata then ordered the DILL 10 ue re-
committed.
Defence APPROPRIATIONS.
Mr.. HENRY, of Tenn, cfsred a bill, appro-
priating $500 900 to bs laid. out ss the Pfeai-
dent and Secretary of War may direct for the
erection, at such places az be may indicate. CT
furnaces, g., tor smelling iron, &c: aPpropri-
ating one million dollars to be expended by
them in the erection Of rolling mills, for max
ing plates and bars for iron-clad gunboats ;
also .~ppropriating 5000 900 for repairing aud
charging f,uaderies whers they are H.-eady
located, AID TO sefecs such as ~ tnay wish for
this purpose.
&r. BURNETT Interrupted tho reading of this
bill, and reminded the Senate that under the
49:h rule all such matters are TO be consider
ed in secret session.
1 In this opinio the Senate acquirscad.
Mr. SgM4ss moved to make the House bill
for tho repeal Of the tariff. which had been re.
ported upon adversely by the Finance Cons
mitiee, the order OF The day for Thursday.
The Senate refused to do so, and then went
into sac.st session.
House OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Mr.. WIZ, OF Texas, introduced the re.
scluc5ns, printed above III the Senate proceed
ings, relative to The death OF Gen. JOHNSON
and the victury in Tennessee.
Dir. PERKINS Of louisiana, objsctsd to the
resolutions, alleging that wo would best emu.
late the deeds of our heroes by digchsrgiug
our duties and remaining At our posts.
Mr.. Moore, of Kentucky, Mt. FooTe OF
Tennessee, and others paid eloquent and glow.
ing tributes to the memory OF Gen. Johnson
and tho heroes who fell with him.
After conclusion Of Mr.. MooRE's REMARKS the
:esoi 1tions were adopted unanimously.
They were immediately reported 10 tho
Senate, but that body having adjourned, Mr..
JONES moved for O re consideration of tbs vote
by which they were adopted, With a view To
passing resolutions expressive OF thn sorrox Of
this House, ct the intelligence Of the loss OF
ono of our distinguished chiet,ains.
Mr.. BANKsDALE, of Mississippi Il. was mol
my purpose TO submit any remark to this
Housc or the resolutions offered by The gen.
tleIpan from Tesss, in testimony Of the grti'
tude OF Congress Tor the s~allsltry displayed in
the valley of the Tonuease9 hy the Confederate
forces, and of respect for the memory Of the
great aud good man who wss chiei in command,
and who is reported to nave fallen while lead
ing his command 10 victory.
Tha highest duty which q people 0we to
those who give their lives to their cause is 20
%protect, unimpaired, their good name, and 10
transmit it without bio mish 60 succeeding
generations.
Sir, il the m~elsnGholy tidinss whici but
this moment have reached W., BIZ true, Gen.
Johnson now reposss in hia bloody grave,
deaf alike to the voice ofccnsure sud the shout
of applause. He foil where a true soldier
most loves to fali-he foil al tho post Of duty
On incarnation nj martial valor and sublime
heroism. His figure shines radiant amid the
cloud, ard tempest, and sturuI OF the battle
field. He fell at critical moment in bis
%coun.r; = struggle, and at a period when the
tongue Of calumny had hecr busy with his
aaGe. But 6ough dosd he Fpeak. in his 0wn
vindicalion from the field ~ which hr fell,
and has yindic Gated his title 10 The respect,
admiration, Confidence and gratitude Of hi;
countryunn.
hold in NY hand Oh unofficial letter, pro-
baby the last written by the lamentcd de-
c.ased to the Chief Executive OF the Confcde.
rscy, to whom BIS had long baen united by
the ties of friendship, and with whom no had
enlisted at al early day under the dig Of a
government which together they abandoned
when it b. cime the symbol Of a mons.rous
de3po,ism. This letter has beon given me 10
be used d. might thirk proper, for the vim
dication of recent acts OF General Johnston,
not fully understood by the public.
will, therefore, by The indulgence Of tho
House, read tais letter, that they msy sac
the fac's in the ligh. by which lis conrse WIS
shaped previous and subsequent to thu fall OF
Donelson. these fac.e triuinphantiy virdi
cato his fau1 as a True pstriot and an Gble and
skillful military leader. This letter written
under most trying circumstances, shows thar
no trace OF passion Tss visihls IN tho awf ul
severity ii the purs, brave nldaun,rd spirit
in which it originated:
unomc,sl Letter 6r General :. s. John
stun To r. esd snt 1nrls.
DECATUR, Ala, March ls.h, 1852.
liz Dear Gsnfra!:-I received the dis.
patches from R.chuoai with your private lot
ter by Captain Wickl,tfo tl;rse LAYS since
br1t the pI s,.;.:rs Of ait sirs nnt the nee -7a:ty oi
getting my command across; The Tennessee.
prevented Re from sending you an earlier re.
ply.
anticipated all that you have told ma al Is
the ccCsrIe which I'll. fail OF Fort Donolson
drew upon me, and tho attacks 10 which Tou
might re subjected, but it waa impossible for
me to gather me facts for L detailed report, or
to spare time which was required to sx!r:cs.e
the remainder Of NJ .:-1p5, and save tbs
large accumulation Of stores and D.oyisint's
after tina, disbelrtening disaster.
transmitted the reports OF Generals Floyd
aud Pillow without examining or Analysing
the facts and scarcely With time 70 read them
When about to sssuuie command nf thi.
Department, the government charged ms viii
the duty Of deciding the QUESTION OF occupying
Bowling Green, KY, which involved not only
military, but political consideration. At hi
time OF my arrival at Nashville, the acton Of
the Legislature OF Kentucky hxd put On end
to the latter by sanctiobing the formation o.
companies menacing Tennessee, by assuming
the cause Of the Government at Washington,
and by abandoning toe neutrality it prcfezsed
and in consequence Of their action the occupa
ton Of Bowling Green became necessary as CT
act Of se!fdefecce, at lenst in the frat step
About the middle Of September Gen. Buck
ner advanced with ssmall force of about 4,0OL
men, which was increased by the 18th Octo
Der 10 49, 0O, aod though sceessions Of forcs
were received, it continued at about the same
strength until The end Of November, ucssle
and o:acr d!ses4os keeping down the ~efoctiy:
force. The cnamy's force chen was reporisd
to the War Department 50, 1000. uhd an nd
vance was impossible.
Believing it to be of the greatest moment Ia
~protract the campaign ss the dnarth Of Gotten
might bring strength from abroad and din.
courage the North, aud to gain time 10
strengthen myself by nov troops from Ten.
nessoe and other States, ! msgniied my forces
to the enemy, but made known my true
strength to tho Department and tho Govern
ors Of States. The aid given Was small. 1T
length when Gen. B.au.egard. came out in
February, he expressed his surprise at the
smallness Of my force, aud was impressed with
the danger Of my position. admitted That
wos so manifest, :snd laid before bin my views
for tho future, in which he entirely cencurred,
and sent me q memorandum Of our conference,
a copy OF which send to you. | determined