The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-09-21
GEN. HOODS CAMPAIGN.
A Defense Of it by Judge John II.
Reagan.
Who was Responsible for it-Approval
Of the President and Cabinet-The
Dead Generals Services and
Character.

Dead Generals Services and
Character.
From an address delivered In Christ Church.
Galveston. on tbs occasion Of the Hood Me-
mortal -srvices
| must here speak OF matters that / would
willingly omit, IL this could be done with pro-
priety, and with justice to the memory of
Cen Hood. because they have been subjects of
criticism and controversy among able and pa
triotic men, who have disagreed upon both
questions OF fact and Of policy.
When Gen. Johnston was falling back on
Atlanta the attention Of the President and
Secretary OF War Was anxiously directed to
the consideration Of the safety Of that place
II was regarded BY them rs the military key
to the State OF Georgia, and 1t was feared that
IL 1t fell into the hands of the enemy he would
be able TO bsect our territory BY that line. as
he had done by the line of the Mississippi
after the fall of Vieksburg. Correspondence
took place between the Secretary of War,
under the direction Of the President, and
Gen Johnston as to whether he could and
would protect Atlanta. Els answers to the
Secretary Of War were not considered satis-
factory as to his intentions in this respect
Information was received at the War Depart
ment that he was moving his stores, supplies,
etc, back from Atlanta as II he contemplated
the evacuation Of that place. In the meantime
President Davis had been urged very earnest
ly to relieve Gen. Johnston Of that command
and place some general at the head OF that
army who would give battle rather than
abandon Atlanta. This the President had re-
fne IN In, ff an NOR aunt rff hn
Inconvenience and danger OF changing COM
manders in the midst OF a campaign. But he
finally determined, in view OF what [ have
inst mentioned, to relieve Gen, Johnston and
to place Gen. Hardee In the command of that
army. Orders TO that effect were forwarded,
but Gen. Hardee declined the command.
When the President was advised Of this he
caused kilograms to be sent To Cen Lss, In
Northern Virginia, to Gen. Beauregard. In
South Carolina, and to Gen. Bragg, then In
Georgia, advising them of these facts, and
asking the opinion OF each OF them as to what
officer ought to be assigned to the command
Of that army. NJ y remembrance Is that their
answers came to the President nearly stimuli
taHeeusly-by this / mean at most within a
few hours Of each other-sach suggesting
Gen. Hood for that command, and he Was at
once directed To relieve GpR. Johnston.
Soon after this Cen Hood fought the i'm
portant but unsuccessful battle OF Atlanta,
and was compelled to retire before superior
numbers.
Being unable longer to confront Gen. sher-
man army, hs had to consider what move
| lneut of his army would prob bly, render 1t
| most useful after that time. He determined,
with the approval OF the President and Secre-
tary Of War, to move to Gen. Shernan's rear
and attempt to cut his communications and
prevent the supply OF bis army and then to
prevent him from marching through Georgia
and the Garolinas, by which he wouft be
enabled to cIlt OFT supplies and retnfOrceHents
for Gen. Lees army and for the troops In the
In MIA nnf ryJlGo
have prevented the calaHtles which resulted
ION Sherman's march through Georgia and
ths CafoliUas, ard would have compelled him
10 disastrous retreat back through North
Georgia and tennessee. and would thus have
vnaicAb..d the Wisdom NJ the course pursued
ny Gen Ho,d. After number Of comhats, and
the b titles at Franklin and Na5hvllle,lt failed,
not for wNpt of broad, fAr-seeing plan, nor
for want Of skill and courage In the attempt
to execute 1t, but because OF insufficient force,
and the exhaustion of the ConfederAey In men
and supplies. ! know that at the time this
Was believed ~ able military men, including
Gpn He, a and the President, TO be altogether
the military move which Gen. Hood could
then make. and while | am not qualified for
military criticism, looking over VII the facts
now | can think OF no other movement which
would have given equal promise OF sue
cess, or in which success would have
been 40 effective and important as this And
1t seems to me there Is no better reason for
censurng Gen. Hood for the failure of this
Cen Lee for surrenderng at Appomattox or
Gen. Johnston for surrenderlng near Hills
boro. Neither was the result Of the want OF
skill or courage, Or wise strategy, each WAS
alike the result Ut the exhaustion 81 the con-
federaey, In men, supplies and the resources
Of war. And yet for this movement, made AZ
q derDier resort, In the expiring throes Of the
confrd-racy, Gen Hood suffered the only I'M
friendly criticism directed against his whole
brilliant career. | DO not doubt tnat Impair
tiAl history will approve and Justify his ac-
ton In this campaign.
At the close OF this war, In which
2 .trtots fought. who. for their country good.
On b. illiant Heids were prodiga OF blood
and amidst the desoIation and gloom, the
hopeless despair which pervaded the whole
country, Gen. Hood might well have said with
the poet:
The wretched have no country; that dear name
Comprists home, kind kindred fostering
Protecting laws all that binds man to man:
But none Of these are niue, | have no country.
There are two views which should not be
omitted In estimating the capacity, services
and worth Of Gen. Hood. One is, that 1t re-
| mains al imperishable honor to have been
member Of his old brigade, and that the Off
c+rs and soldiers who served under him,
whether in victory or defeat, always loved
him and had confidence in him. The other
was That he had the full respect and entire
confidence OF both President Davis and Gen.
| Lee from the beginning to the close OF his
| brilliant and glorious military career. And
this, from the character, ability and respon-
| sible positions Of these great and good men,
after an arduOus and uninterrupted service
Of four years. In high and responsible posi-
lions, after the trials and sufferings through
which he passed, the many battles he fought,
| and the honorable scars he bore to his grave,
| In war OF such magnitude, ought, 1t would
seem, to disarm unfriendly criticism-at all
events, where there was room for doubt as to
the policy Of his course.
The discussion OF the lives and characters
Of deceased persons Is only useful as 1t
teaches us to initiate their virtues or avoid
| their vices.
| Go far he ue only ennken of fhe military