The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1881-07-07
JOHNSTON, LEE AND DAVIS.

The Three Great Confederate Ohicials.
philadelphia Press Interview with Senator Ber
Hill
II see that General Johnston thinks that Mr.
Davis ives responsible for the Tennessee cam.
paign. That is most unjust accusation have
given you the facts in considerable detail to show
exactly what part President Davis took in that
campaign after General Johnson was removed,
The difficulty with General Johnston is that he ia
suspicious, selfWilled and over bearing. Davis
never had any ill.will toward Johnson and re.
moved him with great regret. He regarded
Johnston as good General and one Of the best
fighters in the army II he would only fight. He
| often said that II Johnston would make battle
there would be no fault found with his plans or
their execution. Johnston is very unjust to
Davis"
For what reasOn2"
THAT cannot tell, unless It was the dispute
about the difference In rank between himself and
General Lee which took place early in the war.
Inc oitterest fight ever saw In an executive ses.
sion OF the Confederate Senate was introduced by
General JohnstOn's friends over this question OF
RANK between himself and General Lee. General
Lee had no part or lot in the controversy. He
was the most unEelfsh man l ever knew. He
would have come to Richmond and been a night
policeman II the good Of the Coniederacy had re.
quired It, Technically. suppose, General
Johnson would have ranked Lee and been en-.
Titled to the command OF the army, under the
law 10 encourage designations from the United
otS'es Army, but the majority Of the Senate
lhoueht that Lee should rank Johnston notWith.
standing that and 1t was 50 decided after this
terribly bitter fight inaugurated by Mr.. John.
ston's frien is to determine the question"
"Do you know anything about the differences
between Lee and Davis as to the surrender Of the
armyW
Yes, sir l have read with a great deal of
amusement much OF the stuff that has been
printed aboutit, In January, 1865, the two Houses
OF the Confederate Congress greeted Joint com.
mittee to inquire into the condition Of the army
and the means OF continuing the war. was on
the committee upon the Senate That committee
held secret sessions and examined almost every
prominent man in the Confederacy from JEFF
Davis down. When General Lee was on the
stand l examined him myself, and in great de-
tail. When asked about his holding Richmond
he said that he could do 1t until General Grant
could get the men and the time to push around
upon his TANKS so as to threaten his communica.
tiOn with the South.
HE explained that Grants forces were con.
stantly increasing, and that he had unlimited
supplies Of men and munitions, both Of which
General Lee lacked. He said that his army was
constantly weakened by degertions. After Gen.
eral Lee had explained the situation about Rich.
mond, put the question direcdy to him:
"'Will the fall OF Richmond end the war;"
1.-THE old hero raised himself in the chair and
with great deal of feeling said
By no means, sir; by no means. In military
point OF view / could be stronger after than be.
fore such an event. because 1t would enable me
to make my own plan OF campaign and battle
From moral and political point OF view the
abandonment or lose OF Richmond would be
serious calamity, but when it has fallen bejeve
can prolong the war for two years uponVirglnia
soil. Ever since the conflict began, l have been
obliged to permit the enemy 10 make my plans
for me, because compelled to defend the CAPITAL.
When Richmond 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 al Lees ssurrender2"
mot that know Of. have talked with Mr..
Davis fully once only since the war. Not more
than TWO years ago spent whole day with him,
and 1 never heard him say an unkind word or
utter disparagement Of General Lee In my life
believe the relations between himself and Lee
was not only harmonious but cordial to the last