The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1880-09-03
GEN. MARDEE'S REMOVAL.
Disputed Point OF Southern History
Settled.
tNow York Herald.1

lclSuIS O1 OeOs 11arQce CO0lA10eu ID
Gen. Hoods book entitled "Advance
and Retreat and is intended as a vim
dication of the former. Among the
most remarkable documents presented
by the writer is the following recent
letter from Jefferson Davis, which, per-
haps, sets at rest one Of the most inn
portant of the disputed points-that of
the cause of Hardee's removal from
command of the army of the Tennes-
see, besides giving also other historical
data regarding that officer:
BEAUvo1R, HARRISON Co., Miss,
February 20, 1880. !
Col. T.. b. Roy, Selma, Ala:
DEAR SIR-Yours of the twenty
sixth instant has been this day re-
ceived, and will make such reply to
your inquiries as is possible from men,
ory and the remnant of correspondence
in my possession. '-..-.
1t is extremely painful to me that
any question should have arisen in
volving the character and conduct of
one SO highly esteemed and affection
ate]y remembered by me as is my de-
ceased friend, the late Gen. Hardee.
This is intensified by the fact that the
respected, and whose memory is per-
Both have gone where they will know
as they are known, and both have left
a reputation embalmed in the love and
gratitude Of those they served faithfully
and well. "a"
Isympathize in your desire to vindi-
| cate Gen. Hardee, and recognize your
| right to call upon me for that purpose.
The duty is one which I cheerfully
perform.
The inference you draw from the
statement in Gen. Hoods book that /
held a conference with Generals Stew
art and S. d. Lee to determine the fit
ness of Gen. Hardee for his command,
the propriety of his conduct in the op-
erations around Atlanta, is justified by
the text, and was no doubt desired by
! Gen. Hood.
| had, however, known Gen. Hardee
too long, too intimately and in too
many relations to doubt his personal or
soldicrly qualities. My object in the
conference and that for which visited
the army was to learn its condition,
and what might be expected from it in
active operations against the enemy.
| At this day, so remote from the event,
| l cannot claim to remember any con-
| versation upon incidental points that
may have occurred, but can say with
certainty that Gen. Hardee was not re-
lieved because of any depreciation of
his capacity, his zeal or fidelity. Gen.
Hardee had earnestly desired to be re-
lieved it had been the subject Of cor
respondence between US before my visit
to the army, and my objections to
complying with his wish were entirely
complimentary to him. My assent to
his persistent request to be relieved was
finally given because Of irreconcilab1e
difference between himself and the Off
Ger commanding-in-ch chief.
| Among the motives which induced
me to make that visit to the army of
Tennessee it is hardly supposable that
one of them was to make inquiries
about Gen. Hardee's fitness for COM
mand, as there was probably no one in
that army who knew him as we'll as I.
He had first attracted my attention by
his good conduct and cool courage
when, in the early part of the war
against Mexico, he, as Junior captain
of a squadron of dragons, extricated
the portion of the command immedi-
ately under him from an ambuscade
into which it had fallen and saved
them from impending massacre. AT q
later day, because OF his professional
accomplishments, I, as Secretary OF
War, selected him to prepare the sys
tenn of tactics which bears his name
and for q long time we daily worked
together. In his appointment as com
mandant of cadets and in his selection
tor promotion in new regiment o
cavalry was manifested my apprecia
tion Of him as gentleman and sol
dier.
In his various high commands during
the war between the States my esti
/ mate of him was confirmed and in
creased, but never diminished. BY re
ferring to his letters from me received
during the war you will find the FIRE
quent expression of my confidence ans
regard, especially in those relating t.
;. the appointment of Gen. Hood to thu
:. command of the Army of Tennessee
BY these it is shown that Gen. Harde
was not passed over from any want Q
appreciation, but because he had pre-
e. viously declined the position of com
s. mander- in-chicf of that army fC
IIe reasons which were still in force. Hi
modcsty put a lower estimate upon hi
= ability than l did.
w. Upon reaching the army after til
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