The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-01-08

me to Gen. Bragg's headquarters, was received
IN Mobile, when / was on my way to them.
Your letter of January 22d reached me here on
the s0th. -. .......
My principal object has been to ascertain the
feeling existing in the regiments. Being con-
fident the soldiers are not depressed, we can
have nothing to fear, for it is not to be sup
posed that the zeal of general officers can be
impaired by any want of confidence in their
generals skill. Incessant rain has permitted
me to see but fourth of the troops as yet.
They are represented by their field officers to
be in high spirits, and as ready as ever for
fight.
am very glad to find that your confidence
in Gen. Bragg is mistaken. My own are con
firmed by his recent operations, which, in my
opinion, evince great yigor and skill. 1t would
be very to unfortunate remove him ut this juno
ture, when he has just earned, if not won the
gratitude Of the country.
After seeing all the troops shall write again.
respectfully suggest, should it then appear
to you necessary to remove General Bragg, no
one in this army, or engaged in this inyestiga-
ton, ought to be successor.
Most respectfully, your obedient servant,
j. E. JOHNSTON, General.
His Excellency the President
EXTRACT FROM LETTER FROM GEN. ]. E.
JOHNSTON.
TULLAHoMA, Feb II, 1868.
Mr.. PRESIDENT: Since writing to you on the
Sd, have seen the whole army. Its appear
ance is very encouraging, and gives positive
assurance Of Gen. Braggs capacity to command.
1t is well clothed healthy, and in fine spirits.
The brigades engaged at Murfreesboro are now
stronger than they were on the morning of the
battle, mainly by the return of the absentces,
brought back by the Generals vigorous system.
My object has been to ascertain if the conf
dence Of the troops in the ability of the army
to beat the enemy is at all impaired.
find no indication that it is less than when
you were in its camps.
While this feeling exists, and you regard
Gen. Bragg as brave and skillful, the fact that
some or all of the general officers of the army,
and many of the subordinates think that you
might give them commander with fewer de-
fects, cannot, think, greatly diminish his
value. To me it sseIns that the operations OF
this army in Middle Tennessee have been con-
Quoted admirably. l can find no record of
more effective fighting in modern battles than
that Of this army in December, eyincing skill
in the commander and courage in the troops,
which fully entitle them to the thanks of the
Government.
In the early part Of January, the country
north of Granada being considered impraclaca-
BILE, directed Maj. Gen Van Dorm to bring III
Gen. Bragg aid tle cavalry OF the Mississippi
army, except such AZ Lieut.. Gen. Pemberlon
considered necessary to him.
*
I have been told by that they
have advised you TO remove Gen Bragg aud
place me in command Of this army. am sure
that you will agree with me that rhe pari nave
borne in this investigation would render it in-
consistent with my personal homo. to occupy
that position. l believe however, that the
interest of the service requires that Gen. Bragg
should not be removed.
Most respectfully, yoGr Obedient servant,
j T. JOHNSTON.