The Texas Republican. [volume] (Marshall, Tex.) 1849-1869, 1862-05-03
UNOFFICIAL LETTER OF 0KN. 4 .. JOHN
SION TO rxE1lDINT DAVIS



from, Richmond eith your private letter by Capt
W.ctlfv three days since, but the pressure 81 AZ
fairs and the necessity u getting my command
across. the tennessee, prevented sie from sending
you An earlier reply.
I ANTICIPATED all that you have told the as 20 the
oonsuFe which the fall Of Fort Donelson drew
upon me and the attacks 10 which you might De-
subjected. but Il impossible fer Tue 10 gather
the facts for detailed report. OF 10 spare time
which was required 90 extricale the remainder
Of my troops and save the large accumulation OF
stores and provisions after hat dsheArtcnlng dis
a-fcf
transmitted the reports 81 tens Floyd and
Pillow thnui examining or snaliziug the iActs
lnd scarcely with time 70 read them.
When about 60 assume command u TINS depart
mcni. the government charged me with the duty
u ducijing The question ~ occupying Bowling
Green. Ny. which involved not only military. boz
political considerations. Al tne time ot my ARR
val a Nashville the action IT the Legislature oi
Kentucky had put an end % the latter By Sane
noning The formation Of ge.npanirs menacinr
Tennessee by sssumius the cause OF The govern
mcnf ~ Washington. and by abandoning lhc ueu.
TALLY BE- prples~ed, and "a consequence 0f their
action ihe occupation of Bowling Green became
necessary as ln act of elf defence At least IN the
dfst step.
About the middle Of September Gen. Bucknci
advanced with a small force Of ahhut npu men,
witch wa increased by The 18th October 10 ~
900 and though iCdessiuns Of force Nerg received.
ems % November, muaslc- aud other diseases
keeeing down the effective force. The enemys
4Tta then wis reported O. the WAC Department
So o1a and ao advance ~.a' impossible
Believing "a 20 Dc u the greatest moment ~
pfotfsct the campaign A. the dearth Of cotton
might htir- strength from ahfaad and discourage
the North sud " gain time % strengthen myself
by new troops ftum Tennessee and other states,
] maWihrd ms fnrec- % She enemy but made
known ms true strength 70 the department and
Governors ut States. ihc aid given was small.
AZ leugth. when General Boaurcurd came out 90
February De expressed bic surprise at the small.
ness Di my force, and vas Impressed With the
'aaser of my position. | admitted What was so
WtHife4i aud laid before b.n my views for the
Harurr in which be- entirely cancurfod nud sent
me memorandum ~ our conference, q copy oi
which send o. yul. ! determined ga tight for
NASHVILLE at DouaiaB aad gave thu best part n.
m} army % do b., retaining only 1900 mcn 90
cover my t.oni, and giving 10000 60 doiend Don.
clsou
The force at Donaldson is stated IN General ri.
low report 40 mleh Joss and ! a, NOT doubt the
corr tuess of bis statement fnr the force as
Bowling nuea, which supposed 90 be 1900 Ell.
ie.iifc men. One medical report showing only
little over BOO sigk in the h1spitall was diminish
ed moro than 900 by those who Werc unable 90
stand The fatigue nt match and made my force
I ou reaching Nashville le.s than 10 OGn men. I
iuelasc medical director report
! Hat ] wholly uncovered my front o. defend
bouels1u igal would have known it and march.
ed directly au Nashville There wcre only ten
. smiil steamers iu the Cumberland in imperfect
condition only three of which were available 40
Nashville. while lho transportation OF the enemy
was great
The evacuation OF Bowling Green was impera
. lively necessary, aud was ordered before, and ~
. Hcatcd while thc battle wA- being fought at Don
el-uu. ! had made every disposition loF the de.
lcnsc OF the fort my means allowed and The