The New York herald., 1863-12-18

RICHMOND, Nov "a. 1862. J
l. General j. f. Johnston Confederate States Army, is
hereby assigned to the following geographical command,
to wit commencing with the Blue Ridge of mountains,
inning through the western part Of North Carolina and
following the line Of said through tho northern
part Of Georgia TO the railroad south Of Chattanooga
thence by that road to West Point and down the
right bank Chatahoochie the boundary Of
Alabama and Florida; following that boundary to
the Choctahatche river and down that river to Chata
h tche bay-including the waters OF that baytO the
Gulf Of Mexico All that portion Of country west or said
line to the Mississippi river is included in the above COM
mand General Johnston will, for the purpose OF
respondence and reports, establish his headquarters
Chattanooga, or such other place in bis Judgment will
best facilities for ready communication with the
troops within the limits OF his command and will repair
In person to any part Of said command whenever his
presence may for the time be necessary desirable
BY command of the Secretary OF War,
JOHN wlrHERs, Assistant Adjutant General.
His Excellency, the President Richmond, Va.
Also the following extracts from the correspondence
between the President and General Johnston, to show
that in retaining General Bragg command Of his army,
he acted in accordance with the judgment Of General
johnston preference adopting that gentlemen in
civil life, who camored for his removal
General j. E. JOHNSTON, Jackson MISS and Mobile Ala
wish you, with the least delay TO proceed to the
Headquarters Of General Braggs army. You win find
an explanatory letter at Chattanooga JEFF. DAVIS.
EXTRACT FROM COPY OF LETTER.
RICHMOND. Va, Jan. %, 1863.
General j. E. JOHNSTON Chattanooga Tenn.:-
As announced IN my telegram, address this letter to
you explaningl the purpose for which desire you to
promptly to the headquarters Of General raggs
army.
You will, trust be able by conversation with General
Bragg and others Of hts command, to decide what the
vice which need at this juncture. As that army a
part Of your command order will be necessary give
have right direct its operations do whatever else
belongs to the general commanding Very truly and re.
spcc,fully you're, JEFF. DAVIS.
EXTRACT FROM LETTER OF GEN. j. f. JOHNSTON.
EAh
Mr.. PREsrpENr-Your telegram ordering me 70 General
Braggs headquarters was received In Mobile, when
on my way to them Your letter Of January 20
me here on the 3oth.
existing nhe regiments Being confident that the soldiers
are not depressed we can have nothing to fear for Is
impaired by any want Of confidence in their general
skill lncessan rain has pemttedme to see but fourth
Of the troops as yet They are represented by their field
officers to bo in high spirits, and ready as ever for
| fight.
am very glad to nnd that your confidence in General
Bragg is unshaken My own is confirmed by his
OPERATIONS, which, In my opinion, evince great vgor
skill. IL would be very unfortunate 70 remove him
this uncture when he has just earned, If not won, the
After seeing all the troops shall write again. re-
spectiuy suggest should then appear you
TO remove General Bragg, In this army engaged
in this investigation, ought to be his successor Most
respectfully, your obedient servant, ,,,,,ro,, g.,
j. 4. JOHNSTON, General
| His Excellency the PRESIDENT.
Extract from letter Of General j. f. Johnston.l
TuILAHoMA, Feb. IL, 1868.
Mn PREsIDFST-Snce writing TO you on the Sd | have
the whole army It's appearance Is very encourag
ing, and gives positive OF General Braggs
pacity 10 command. II well clothed healthy and in fine
spirits. The brgades engaged at Murfreesboro
stronger than they the morning Of the battle
mainly by the return OF the abseees brought back
the General vigorous system
Ny object has been to ascertain If the confidence of the
troops in the ability OF the army 10 beat the enemy at
all impaired
find indication that it is less than when you
in Its camps.
While this feeling exists and you regard General Bragg
brave and skul the fact that all Of the gene
ra officers OF the army, and many OF the subordinates,
think that you might give them commander with fewer
defects, cannot, think greatly diminish his value. 10 me
II seems that the operations OF this army In Middle Ten
nessee have been conducted admirably. eau find no
record Of effective hghting in modern battles than
that OF this army IN December, evincing skill in the
mander aud courage in tho troops which fully entte
them to the thinks Of the government.
In the early part Of January the country north Of Gra
NADIA being considered impractcable, directed Ma
General Van Dorm to bring General Braggs aid the
airy OF the Mississippi army, except such as Lieutenant
General Pemberton considered necessary TO him
Ibave been told by - that they have advised
you TO remove General Bragg, and place me In command
OF this army. am sure that you will agree with me,
that the part have borne in this investigation would
render II inconsistent with my personal honor TO occupy
that position believe, however that the interest OF the
service requires that General Bragg should not be
moved. Most respectfully, your obedent servant,
J. Z. JOHNSTON.