The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1881-07-14
JOHNSTON, LEE AND DAVIS.
THETHREE CONFEDERATE OFFICIALS

4
81 see that Gen. Johnston thinks
that MIR. Davis was responsible for
the Tennessee campaign. That is a
most unjust accusation. L have Civ
en- you the facts in considerable de-
tail to show exactly what part Presi-
dent Davis took in that whole cam
paign after Gen. Johnston was re-
moved. The difficulty with Gen.
Johnston is that he is suspicious,
self-willed and over-bearing. Davis
never had any ill-will toward john
stOn and removed him with great
regret. lie regarded Johnston as a
good general and one of the best
fighters in the army if he would only
fight. He often said that if John
ston would make battle there would
be no fault found with his plans or
their execution. Johnston is very
unjust to Davis"
"For what reason 2"
"That L can not tell, unless it was
the dispute about the difference in
rank between himself and Gen. Lee,
which took place early in the war.
The bitterest fight ever saw in an
executive session of the Confederate
Senate was introduced by Gen.
JOhnston's friends over this question
of rank between himself and Gen.
Lee. Gen. Lee had no part or lot in
the controversy. He was the most
unselfish man | ever knew. He
would have come to Richmond and
been night policeman if the good
of tho Conf ha6 rannira6 -
Technically. L suppose Gen. John
stOn would have ranked Lee and
been entitled to the command of the
army, under the law to encourage
designations from the United States
army, but the majority of the Senate
thought that Lee should rank John
ston Notwithstanding that, and it
was so decided after this terribly
bitter fight inauguraied by Mr..
Johnston's friends to determine the
question"
'DO you know anything about
The differences between Lee and
Davis as to the surrender of the
army"
Eyes, sir. L have read with Il great
deal of amusement much of the stuff
that has been printed about it. In
January, 1865, the two houses of the
Confederate congress created joint
committee to inquire into the cOndi-
ton of the army and the means of
continuing the war. l was on the
committee upon the part of the SEN
ate. That committee held secret
sessions, and examined almost every
prominent man in the Confederacy,
from JEFF Davis down. When Gen.
Lee was on the stand | examined him
myself, and in great detail. When |
asked about his holding Richmond |
he said that he could do so until |
Gen. Grant could get the men and
the time to push around upon his
TANKS so as to threaten his commu-
mcation with the South"
ale explained that Grants forces |
were constantly increasing, and that |
he had unlimited supplies of men
and munitions. both Of which Gen. |
Lee lacked. He said that his army |
was constantly weakened by deser-
tons. After Gen. Lee had explain J
ed the situation about Richmond, | |
put the question directly to him {:
will the fall of Richmond end the |
WARP"
"The old hero raised himself in
the chair and with a great deal of
feeling said :"
"By no means, sir; by no means. |
In military point of view | could be |
stronger after than before such an |
event, because it would enable me to |
make my own plan of campaign and |
battle. From a moral and political |
point of view the abandonment or
loss of Richmond would be serious
but when it has fallen be- |
lieve L can prolong the war for two |
years upon Virginia soil. Ever since |
the conflict began, l have been
obliged to permit the enemy to |
make my plans for me, because COM
PEELED to defend the capitol. When |
falls | shall be able to |
make them for myself"
"This emphatic statement shaped |
the report of the committee in favor
of continuing the war, and ought to
settle the point cOnclusively that Lee |
never thought of surrender until he |
found that he could not get his army |
out and was obliged to-"
"Was Davis angry at Lees surren-
der?"
"Not that / know of. | have talk
ed with Mr.. Davis fully once only |
since the war. Not more than two
years ago 1 spent a whole day with
him, and L never heard him say an
unkind word or utter disparage-
ment of Gen. Lee in my life. l be-
lieve the relation between himself
and Lee was not only harmonious,
but cordial to the last."-Philddel-
Dhia Press InteTUieio a0Hh Senator
Ben Hill.