The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-12-19
HENRY \. FOOEE;S ATTACK IN
THE NFEDEtEATE HOE ON -
EEE y SAWS

| rProceedugg the Rebs' Congress- on Wednesday,
December 9-Rich aends Euqpiris R.pgrtl
NJ. Foote offered a resolution in
slructing the appropriate committee to
provide for the increase of the pay Of
soldiers.
In supporting his resolution, Mr.. FOots
! said that the matter was not only of
grave import but it was patriotic
duty. He further urged the question at
some length, assuming that no action in
regard to the currency would fully re-
store to its nominal value, and that there
fore, Injustice was done the soldier in
refusing him an eqituable compensation.
He commended that the President was
opposed to the increase of soldiers pay,
from the fact he stated in bis message
that the suggested action upon the cur
rencv would obviate the necessity, by 0p-
prorin,4tinq the nominal value of the
money. he wanted the wRo'e value
secured
Mr.. Gsr'rell, Of Ga, vindicated the
President from the imputation, and ar
eued at some length 70 show that she
increase of the pay of the soldier was
one Of the Presidents m pst eager wishes.
The resolution was lost.
NJ! Foote then offered an amendent
instructug the appropriate committee
(Miitary) to inquire into the causes of
the late disaster near Chattanooga, ard
ascertain and report whether it WAS
owing to a want of vslor in the troops,
as stated in the Presidents Message or
to other causes.
Mr.. Foote said he would now defy the
most devoted champions of the President
TO take issue with him here. Whoever
CHARGED that army with a want of valor,
he negatiyed; whatsoever undertook 10
throw the responsibility of that disaster
upon that army, or upon any portion Of
H. he would take issue with him. A
more valiant body of soldiers the world
never saw. He would undertake to say
that the President himself was RESPONSE
bic for that defeat and he was prepared
10 prove IL; and, furthermore, he would
show that he had endeavoTed to skulk
The responsibility and throw il upon the
brave men who had barred their breasts
70 the battle. No man should denounce
those true men a. wanting in valor, with
impanity. IL was an accusation dishon-
orable 10 the author, and discreditable
TO all. which would tend 10 the demOral-
ization of our troops, and may be pro-
ductiVe Of still worse disasters. After
rnat unfortunate campaign in Kentucky,
il was urged upon the President 70 remove
from the command Of chat army General
Bragg, who had proven himself slready
incompetent for his position. It's known
how he permitted the inferior and partly
demoraiized army Of the enemy to pass
him and secure communication with
Louisville, from which they received
heavy reinforcements and supplies; aud
further on, (iOr be had the proofs,) be bad
proposed 10 divide bis army into differ
emit detachmentq, and would have carried
ont his plan, but that be was 0utnumbered
by the opposite opinions of his council,
who told him that the plan was un-
Nspoleonic, and that be would be over
Ehelmed if he attempted il. Tne Presi-
dent was called upon then 20 remove him
ss incompetent and even dangerous.
When be came out Of Kentucky, from
what proved to have been only 3 jeans
expedition, aod a perfect failure as q
military affair, be (Mf FoOie) took part
With his colleagues and again urged his
removal They waited upon the PTesi-
dent; il would be out of order to say
what occurred. But the result is known
--Bragg was not removed. That man
Bsage) has been most odious 70 both
the army and people for more than
year, and the President must have known
it. Bul he visited the army asd said
there was no cause for the complaints.
| also visited the army, continued
Mr.. Foote, and mingled with the
men, and addressed nearly every
brigade in it-Bot, however, upon
Bragg, because 1 would not for
the world have soFu any discomfort
Bot I found tie whole army disirustful
of him. 0ae thing Is certain, be has
driven away every one Of his best Gen
erals. He has driven away the skilled
and gallant Polk; he has forced the
noble hearted BackneT t. leave hin; be
has ealunniated BreckinTiGge, AID vic
timized MeCoEn. ETsry bOay knog be
Is on bad terms With HsFdee. lie is 80
constituted thai be can net asFee with
any OF bis commanders. What Is more,
one.of my colisagu-s has received > letter
from Bragg himself, IN which be sid
only Gre weeks sgo-that be could not
command that RFmy effectively ualess ha
was clear 81, unless iheIe WeTe cashiered,
twelve Brigadier- Generals aad whole
regiment Of Geid oficetA President
Davis was appealed p by nearly every
ofIicer there for las removal. Bat be
stood go for Bragg; be had committed
himself 10 the coanFy be bad axps ssed
his opinion publicly, q Brsgg's esniDent
fitness fer the c0mmap6s aad WAS eesr-
mined 20 risk the safety Of the eonatfy
upon it. For the same reason, snd u1der
the same circumstances. Pembsrtoa was
e0iss 4 eEE11