Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-04-14

manu-. They were.popular with the Vo IN
teers, and ali had seen much service. NO
reinforcements were asked. | awaited the
event opposite Nashville. The result of the
conflict, each day was favourable. At mid
night on the 10Th received news Of a gio-
rldus victory-at dawn of a defeat.
Ny column during the day and night was
thrown over the rivera battery had been
established below the city to secure the pas
sage. Nashville was Incapable of defence
from its position, and from the forces ad-
vancing ffom Bowling, Green and up the
Cumberland. A rear guard was left under
General Floyd tc secure the stores and pro-
visions, but did not completely eject the ob-
ject. The people were terrified, and some of
the troops disheartened. The discourage
ment was spreading, and ordered the CON-
mand to Murfreesboro' where [ managed by
assembling Crittenden's division and the fn.
gitives from Donelson, to collect an army
able to offer battle. The weather was incie-
ment, the floods excessive, and the bridges i
were washed away, but most of the stores
and provisions were saved and carried to new
depots. This having been accomplished,
though with serious loss in conformity with
my riginal design, | marched southwark
and crossed the Tennessee at this point, so
as to cooperate or unite with General Beau
regard for the defence Of tAe Valley on the
Mississippi. The passage is almost compile
ted, and the head of my column is already
! with General Bragg at Eorlnth. The move
ment was deemed too hazardous by the most
experienced members Of my staff, but the OBJ
iect warranted the risk. The difficulty of af-
fecting a junction is not wholly overcome, but
it approaches completion. Day after to- mof
row, unless the enemE intercepts me, ny
force will be with Bragg and nv army near
" -- thousand strong. This mast be
destroyed before the enemy can attain his o6-
ject.
[ have. given this sketch, 50 that you may
appreciate the embarrassment which surroun-
ded me in my attempts to avert or remedy
the disasters at Fort Donelson, before allu-
ding to the conduct of the generals.
When the force was detached1 was in
hopes that such disposition would have been
made as would have enabled the forces to de-
fend the fort, or withdraw without sacrificing
the armv. On the 14th | ordered General
Floyd, by telegraph, eff he lost the fort to
get his troops to Nashville" It is possible
this might have been done, but justice re
quires to look at events as they appeared at
the time, and not alone by the light of sub
sequent information. All the facts in rela.
ton to the surrender will be transmitted to
the Secretary Of War, as soon as the can be
collected, in obedience to his order. 1t APP
pears, from the information received, that
Gen. Buckner, beng the Junior officer, took
the lead in advising the surrender, and thai
General Floyd acquiesced, and they all con
Cured in the belief that their force could no
maintain its position-all concurred that il
would require a great sacrifice Of life to ex
tricate the command. Subsequent events
show that the investment was not so com
plete as their Information from their scouts
led them to believe. The conference resul
ted in the surrender. The command wa.
irrega1aTly szaasaeTnas OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
junior general, but not apparently to avoi'
!. any just responsibility, or from any want 9
[ personal or moral intreridity. The blow wa
most disastrous, and almost without a RENE
Hdy. | therefore, in my first report, remain
: ed Silent. This silence you were kind enougI
to attribute to my generosity. | will no
lay claim to the motive to excuse my course
;. | observed silence, as it seemed to be tn
best way to serve the cause and the coun ~
The facts were not fully known-disconten
prevailed, and criticism or condemnation wer
! more likely to augment than to cure the evil
| refrained, well knowing that heavy censure
!; would fall upon me; but convinced that
l was better to endure them for the present, an
: defer to a more proper time an investigator
+ of the conduct Of the generals; for, in tn
! meantime, their services were required, an
! their influence useful. For these reason
Generals Floyd and Pillow were assigned
u duty ; for | still felt confidence in their ga
! lantry, their energy, and their. devotion
; the Confederacy.
[ have thus REQUIRED to the motives b
which | have been s%governed, from a dee
It personal sense Of the friendship and con
t. dence you have always shown me, and fro
d the conviction that they have not been wit
o drawn from me ia adversely.
4 All the reports, requisite for a full ofici
investigation have been ordered. Genera
Ie Floyd and Pillow have been suspended fro
i command.
: Here follow some illusions not necessa
e to an understanding of the main objects
e the letter, and a statement of the dispositi
= of the forces in command, which it is 4
L deemed necessary TO publish. The~lett
= closes as follows:
n I have troubled you with these details
D I cannot properly communicate them by te
u graph.
Dr. The test of merit in my profession, W
s. the people, is success. 1t is a hard rule, /
" I think it right. If join this, corps to I
1t, forces Of General Beauregard, q comics:
hazardous experiment. then those who
now declaiming against me will be with(
r. an argument. Your friend,
OF A. S. JOHNSTON
FOR THE SPIRIT OF TIE AGE
ef l 49, 80