Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-03-15
senator Barnweli Trying to FIN the
Breach,
RICHMOND, VA, Jan. 9, 1865.

RICHMOND, VA, Jan. 9, 1865.
To he E1eelAeHey 4. q. AGgrdth, GOuerROr Of
South Carolina:
MY DEAR SIR-YOur very important
communication of Dec % was presented
to me on Friday last by Col. SeabrOok.
on Saturday | communicated it to the
delegation of South Carolina, and that
night we held meeting and determined
to lay it before the President to-day. l
had seen the President and Secretary OF
War in reference to the defense Of Charles
ton and South Carolina, as soon as the
news of the evacuation of Savannah
reached Richmond. and solicited rein
fOrcements, urging similar considerations
to those presented by yourself.
The President assured me that he had
urged strongly upon the General com
handing the defense of the city, aud that
he would consult Gen. Lee in reference
10 sending reinfOrcements. DE informed
me also that he had received and answered
a communication from you on the sub
ject.
The delegation Of the State saw the
President, by appointment, to-day, and
presented your communication to him.
After reading it, he stated, in substance.
that he lad held frequent and earnest con-
situations with Gen. Lee, and while they
both deeply ielt the importance of defend
ing the city of Charleston, the State, and
Z
through it from the enemy, they could
| not resolve that the interest OF our
cause. 10 Which they were bound
to give the highest consideration,
allowed them to abandon Richmond
to the enemy, and march Gen. Lee away,
to be followed by Grant into South Caro-
lima, and that Gen. Lee thought that the
case presented only this alternative. He
said that, at your earnest request, he had
sent you Gen. COnnOr's brigade, which
Gen. Lee declared that he could ill spare,
small as the force was; that Gen. Lee had
that day written that Wilmington was
again threatened, so that the forces could
not be removed from that place. He fur
Their stated that he had urged Gen. Beau
regard, il he found the soldiers of Hoods
army in a condition to be removed, to
bring as large a portion of it as could be
rapidly transported two divisions, l be-
lieye) to the reinforcement Of the army in
South Carolina.
The President also stated in a more con-
fidential way that neither himself nor the
| Secretary Of War could obtain anything
! from Gov. Brown, of Georgia, but thought
that he might yield some assistance in re-
Spouse to an appeal from you.
With respect to the appointment of
Gen. Joseph Z. johnston, which the dele
cation from the House of Representatives,
in joint letter, also urged, the President
said nothing.
have thus briefly, but think substan-
TALLY. stated the communication made TO
us by the President. | make il thus infor-
mally because Col. SeabrOOk leaves at an
early hour in the morning, and have had
no opportunity of seeing them since they
we're called away by business from the
conference.
| need not say, my dear sir, with how
much Pain 1 am compelled to convey to
you this want of success il our applica-
ton. The reduced condition Of Gen. Lees
army. suffering from various causes,
chiefly from the almost entire impOssi-
bility OF obtaining recruits or even the re-
turn of soldiers escaped from it, fear
gives too much reason for his conclusion
/ that to weaken il by division exposes the
whole army to destruction; and while,
/ with the natural feeling of a South Caro-
/ linian, | urged taking the risk Of this
: movement, felt no surprise that my sug-
/ gestion was not approved Of. Nor could
| / condemn the determination that. under
| the circumstances, Richmond ought
| not to be abandoned, though, with
I you. / much fear that the loss
( OF Charleston involves at no great in
( terval the abandonment OF Richmond.
think that some help might be OBJ
/ tanned from Gov. Brown, if some one
VI ou 4S huUW5 anu CSbCCm6 WCAC sCut
( to him, or if you could meet him in AU-
gusta. sincerely hope that all South
I Carolinians will come to the rescue. All
they hold dear is now set upon the issue
Of the present struggle. Every man
! ought to know that, if the enemy takes
( Charleston, the whole State is open to
/ him, and life and honor, liberty and
property, lie at the mercy OF a TemOrse-
! less foe.
cannot express to you the deep ankle
/ ty with which the imminent danger OF
( the State fills me. My greatest sorrow is
/ that can do so little for her. Let no man
deceive himself by false hopes Of mercy.
He viii wish that he had died in the fight
when he has even for a short time felt the
misery Of the conquered.
At my age, and with my capacity. I can
do but little for our native State. Bat il.
By any use OF me, service can be render
Ell to her, shall thank you for suggest
inc il 10 me.
The clouds lower very heavily, but for