The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-01-23
nnurnElsN News.
A CEsTIous Communicates from tho
Rebel Army TO their Congress.
i've clip TIE following from late copy


morning of the 29lh ult, the Presidsn;
laid before the Senate . Communication
from General Hardee, and other general
officers, relative 10 the organization oil
She army, which was referred to the Com
mitlee on Military Affairs.
The following is the Communication
referred to:
ARMY OF TENNESSEE, Dec. II, 1868.
10 the Congress Of the Confederate Sates:
In the existing condition of affairs il il
hoped your honorable bodies will pardon
the variance from custom Of addressing
you from the army. 1t is done in nc
spirit of dictation, but under the con-
soientious conviction that the necessities
of the country demand the voices aud la
bors of al, and that delay, even for thir-
ty days, in enseting proper measures,
NAV make present disorder incurable,
and the dangers of the moment omnipo-
tent for our destruction.
In our opinion, it is essential to retain,
for the term Of during the war, without
reorg sniz alton, tie troops now in service;
to plsce IN service Immediately, for the
same term, all other white males, be-
tween eighteen and fifty years of age,
able to perform any military duty; 10
provide for placing in service, at the
discretion of the President, for the same
te IN, all white males between fifteen
and eighteen, and between fifty and
sixty years of age; to prohibit substi-
tuition; to prohioit exemptions, except
for the necessary civil officers and EN- :
ployments of the Confederate States and
the States; 10 prohibit details except
foe limited periods, aud for carrying GA
works ESSENTIAL to the army to prohibit
discharges, except in cases of permanent
disability from ali duty; to prohibit
leaves and furl0ughs, except under uni
form rules OfuaiVerssl application, based,
IS fsr as practicable, on length of service
and meritOriOus conduct; TO prohibit.
to the greatest possible extent, the detail
of able bodied officers and men to post.
hospital or other duty; and to place in
service as cooks, laborers, teamsters and
hospital attendants, with the army and
elsewhere, able-bodied negroes and mu-
.lattoes, bond and free.
These measu Is We think, if promptly
enacted as laws, so as to give time for
organizing and disciplining the new ma
terial, would make our armies invinci-
bic 81 the opening of the campaign of
next year, and enable us to win back our
lost territory and conquer peace before
that campaign shall be ended.
We beg further to suggest that, in our
opiaion, the dissatisfactlOns,:a pprel en- led
or existing, from short raliOns depreci-
ated currency, and the retention of old
soldiers in the service, might be obViated
by allowing bounties with diserimin-
atoms in favor Of the retained troops,
an increase of pay, the commutation to
enlisted men of ratiOns not issued and
the rAtions, or the value thereof to off,
GERS.
We have the honor to be, very reepect-
fully, your obedient servants,
[ Signed w. j. HARDEE, Lieut.. Gen.
G. L STEVENSON, Msj. Gen.
B T. CHEATHAM, Mai. Gen.
j. @ BREOKINRIDGE, Mai. Gen.
JOHN O. BROwN, Brig. Gen.
EDM'D w. PETTUs, Brig. Gen
A. w REYNOLDS, Brig. Gen.
JOHN Z. JACKSON, Brig. Gen.
IAddenda
sign this with the reservation that
approve the Presidents proposed system
Of permanent consolidation.
P. r. CLEBURNE, Maj. Gen.
T. Q. HINDMAN, Mi. Gen.
JOSEPH Fl. LEWIS, Brig. Gen.
D. @. GovAN.
Col. I'd N. @. Regt., Riddles Brigade
l approve the above, except that por-
ton which has reference to exemptions.
and the proposition to place in service
those under eighteen and over fifty years
Of age. believe that old men aud bows
would be of more service to the country
at home, and that ministers of the Cos
pei and = necessary number of physi-
clans and teachers should be exempt.
III. P. Lowry, Brig. Gen.
Fourteen other Brigadier Generals !
sign the above. J. II, Sharp, Colonel |
AndersOn's brigade, ap-
proves the document, "but would favor |
of regiments and no in
crease ofpay."
When this communication was read in |
The House Of representatives, Mr.. Kee-
IAN, of Georgia, moved that il be refer |
ed to the Committee On Military Affairs,
lud printed.
Mr.. Foote, of Tennessee, made some
iesultory remarks on ths subject of the
in which he alluded to
he disposition manifested by some per-
ions to create military despo tism.
Mr.. Perkins, of Louisiana, said that it
hould not be permitted to 90 to the
country that the inference to be drawn
rom this communication that the off,
ers of the Army of Tennessee were in
avor of military despotism; and he
onsidered the allusiOn of the gentleman
rom Tennessee 10 that subject entirely
rAiuitous.
Mr.. Foote endeavOred to reply, when
lr keenan, called the question.
The speaker ruled that the privilege
t the gentleman from Tennessee had
xpired. MIR. FoOte still endeavosed to
eply, but was ruled out of order.
Dir. Wilcox, from Texas, expressed
imself In similar terms as the gentle
ian from Louisiana, and alluded to the
ighly imaginative character of the gen.
lenan from Tennessee in being able to
xtract from this document an idea upon
7hich be could erect proposition for .
Military despOtism.
The question being again called Just
g Mr. FOOte was endeavoring to reply,
was sustained; and the communities
on was referred.
Under q motion to reconsider, Mr.. !
cote succeeded in explaining himself.
e had NOS the remOtest idea of attribu-
ng to ih'se offio rs any desire to get up
military despOtism. he knew them,
arhapf, better than any other members
4 this floor, and loved, almost rever-
iced them; but he also loved the com
on soldier, and sympathizes with his
and was in favor eff giving
lem the privilege of reorganiza alton. He
lew, and could sustain the assertion by
'ooi, that there are men here (aot in
Is House, who we're engaged in q de-
oeraie attempt to establish 3 military
etatOrship in the hands of Jefferson
avis. He stood opposed to military
spOtism, and would bow to now I
ranny. But should the time come
hen Dictatorship was necessary, as - :
st resource, he would have no man who
uses uOgveF and who iovea novvar-no | a