The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-07-07
THE BATTLE OF MANASSAS.
unpublished Correspondence Between Presi-
dent Davis ana General j. T.. johnston
Viadicaiion OF the Truth Of History.

UnpGeltGhcG correspondence DciWcen Fresi"
dent Davis and General j. T.. Johnstoi-
Vindication Of the Truth Of History.
From the jackson tMiss.) Clarion]
Mr.. Stephens first volume, entitled ''The War
Between the States" Is contribution to history
winch has added more lustre To his name than all
else he has accomplished. As an inquiry into the
nature OF the government Of the United States or Of
the nature OF the Union which was established by
its original trainers, Ii is Invaluable. No amount OF
special pleading can Overturn the historical truths
he has cited, and the deductions that logically follow
them, and which place The entire responsibility OF
the rupture which occurred between the States upon
the party in the Northern States WHICH having
repeatedly violated fundamental conditions OF Tie
compact, finally succeeded in obtaining power by u
strictly sectional vote for The accomplishment OF all
their schemes against the minoll section
liz the second volume, as we learn by review OF
some advance sheets skeicheu In the Augusta Con-
stiutoast this investigation Is sun iurther prose-
cuted and the facts Of history unioded so as 10 con-
stitlJe complete vndcation OF the southern Sta es
Tor the part they have acted THIS contribution Is all
the more valuable because II j. fr0ni the pen Or
90 osman who was never ciassed asa southern eX.
tremist," but the reverse.
Judging from the glimpse the CO'lsfitutfOnGifSt
has afforded the public Of The contents Of the second
volume, 1t would have been Well for tIe fame Of hr.
Stephens and his reliability an impartial historian
II he had stopped mere. He has been less accurate
in stating the details OF the formation OF the Con-
ederate States government, and IN describing the
conduct oil the war, than In tracing the responsibility
or the conflict to its True source. He has committed
several OF fact which are scarcely eXcusable
undertaken TO write for posJerity. one
of these errors has rendered necessary The
the statement that President Davis was responsible
Tor the failure OF the Confederate troops To advance
after the victory OF MANASSAS" The original OF ms
correspOn dence has been IN the possession OF the
writer since II occurred ana would probably nave
renamed among HE secret, hidden things " The
Confederacy if rhe story, often repeated by ambi-
tious penny-a-liners ana venal scriboers, mad not
found an enduring place in SO imposing work as
the history Of the war by tile Confederate STATES Ice
President.
Upon the point raised BY Mr.. Stephens the follow
ing correspondence Is conclusive. ON the testimony
OF General j. h. Johnston II Is established that II the
victory at Manassas was succeeded by lata blum.
DER as the historian lnmates his bellei II was not
attributable to President DAVIS.
The historical value OF the correspondence Is en-
HANGED by Its revelation Of the real causes that pre-
vented an advance VI the Conlederates after Their
success ut Manassas:-
CORES PONDENCE.
I.iCuMOND, Va Nov. 3, 1851.
General J. Il. JOHNSTON, Commanding Department
OF the PotOmac:-
SIR-Reporrs have been and are being widely cir.
cniated the effect that prevented General
gard from pursuing the enemy after the bate Of
manassas and had subsequently restrained Inn from
advancing upon Washington city. Though such
| statements may have been made merely for my III.
Jury, and in that view their notice might be post
pOned 10 Il more convenient season, they nave
acquired importance from The fact mat they have
served to cre;.le dstrusi, to excite disappointment
enorts 10 reinforce The armies OF the Potomac and
| generally to provide FOR the pubic defence. Foi
l y
| commanding General and as a party to all the con-
| ferences held by me the 2lst and 22d Of July Il
say whether INSTRUCTED the pursuit OF the enemy
after the victory at MANASSAS have ever objected
to an advance other active operation which II was
| feasible for the army to undertakey Very respect
| fully yours, &C, JEFFERSON DAVIS
| HEADQUARTERS CENTREvrLE,l
Nov. TO- 1867.
| To HIS ExcELLENCy THE PRESIDENT
SIR have had the honor TO receive your letter OF
the Sd inst, IN which you call upon me as the Com
| manding General and as party TO all the COME
rences held by you on the 2lst and I'D OF july tC
say
Whether you DISTRACTED the pursuit after the vic.
| tory Of Manassas.
| Or have ever objected to an advance or other ac
! undertaken
| To the first question reply no. The pursuit was
"ObstrucLcd'' by the enemys troops AT Centrcvllic
have stated IN my official report. In that report
| have also said why no advance was made upon the
| enemy's capital tor reasons) as follows:--
The apparent freshness Of the United States troops
| at CentrevIlle. which checked our pursuit; The
strong forces occupying the works near Georgetown
Arlington and Alexandria; the certainty, TOO thai
| General Patterson IL needed, would reach Washing
ton with his army or more than 30 00p sooner than
| we could and the condition and inadequate means
| OF the army in ammunition, provision and trans
| pOrtatiOn prevented any serious thoughts OF adj
Vancing against the capital.
TO the second question i reply that II has never
been feasible for the army to advance further than II
| has done--tO the line OF Fairfax Court House. with
Its advanced posts at Upton's Munson's and Masons
| hills After a conference at Fairfax Court House
1t to be mpractlcable TO give this army the strength
which those officers considered necessary TO enault
| IL to assume the offensive. Upon which drew j
back TO ITS present position. Most respectfully
| your obedlept servant, J. T.. J0HNSTON.
| A true copy-G. W. &. LEE, Colonel and A. ID. q.
|