Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1880-06-17

Igagement." His rare personal
intrepidity always led him to
too free exposure of his life.
| General Johnston was order
ed to. the West to command
three departments. This was
an unwieldy, impracticable sort
IIof Grand Department, not ho-
mogeneous at all. 1t included
Bragg's army in Middle Ten
uessee, Pcmberton's army in
Mississippi Department, and
Maury's army in Alabama, with
a supervision over the Trans
Mississippi Department, under
ISmith and Holmes.
Johnston, in this command,
as in every other, evinced the
keen accuracy of his military
comprehension, and illustrated
that remarkable fatality of his
having his judgment thwarted
by others, with the result of its
signal vindication. Every
where that he commanded he
seemed destined TO supreme ver-
ification of his genius by the
blunders Of others. He coun-
seled unity of operations and
concentration Of forces into the
Mississippi Valley. His wise
vision took in the true needs of
that large field of conflict.
1t will not be in the purview
of this criticism Of a career TO
go into the details of this disas-
trous campaign. Every move
ment Johnston proposed was
thwarted. The transfer of
Holmes army to the Transmits
sissippi Department, where it
was needed, was denied. AS
sistance ample to Bragg in Mid
die Tennessee wasrefused. Penn
berton, commanding directly
at Vicksburg, took the respon-
sibility of violating Johnston's
orders, the result being the ca
lamitous defeat at Baker sCreek
and Pemberton's retreat into
Vicksburg. Johnston here gave
striking evidence of the as
tonishing correctness of his
strategic judgement. He or
dered Pemberton not to be coop
cd up in Vicksburg, as he could
not successfully stand seige there,
and the place must ultimately
surrender. The result is histor-
ic, Vicksburg was attempted to
be held and it fell, the Confed-
eracy was split, and Johnston's
genius was conspicuously but
most mournfully vindicated by
the laundering failure of others.
1t is, indeed, a curious fatality
that kept up the anomalous ex-
experience of this gifted COM
mander that the disasters of the
cause from the blunders of his
Isubordinates, instead Of the sue
cesses achievable by the enforce
ment of his counsel, kept his SUI
] preme capacity established.
One of the results of this ca
|1amitous campaign was con-
troversy between Mr.. Davis and
General Johnston that is a very
extraordinary one. Mr.. Davis
attacked General Johnsto1's
management severely. John
ston replied with cool, respect.
full, unimpassioned temper, and
it must be admitted, unanswer.
! ably. Congress called for tho
correspondence, but Johnston'i
reply was not furnished. But
the condemnation put upor
Johnston by the Administration
hot only fell absolutely still
, born, but actually elevated
Johnston higher with Congress
: army and people. Johnston
defense of himself is as superb
a piece of controversalism a
was ever penned, and the read
, er arises from its perusal will
wonder at the dignity and i'm
t personality with which John
. ston conducted an Issue so per
) sonal, and SO important to hi
| fame.
e / come now to the movemen
t that must be regarded as tn
: crowning glory of Johnston
+ career, his famous throug
/ North Georgia in the spring oI
e 1864. Johnston's appointment
: to the command of Bragg's ar
S my after the attempt to saddl
: public displeasure upon him fo
: the fall of Vicksburg by theCon
o federate authorities, was fiat
h tering triumph of his genius an
: tribute to his popularity. Brag
: was the favorite of Mr.. Davi
: and Johnston his special dis
d trust. 1t was, indeed, a pow
i erful pressure of public sent
e ment that led to the displace
y ment of Bragg and the endow
: ment Of Johnston with comman
at so important a point. Johr
e ston took the army demoralize
4 by the disastrous defeat of Mi'
o sionary Ridge, disorganized an
?. discouraged, and sadly deficieI
le in esprit, discipline and equiv
Ie ment. On the 9th OF Decen
har 1S63 he assumed the leat