The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1886-02-23
NIr. Davis and his Governors.
[Gcn. Liddcll in Southern Bivouac for Nchru-

TGen. Liddcll in Southern Bivouac for Nchru-
ary.l
1t was clearly seen now that the enemy was
trying to get III Johnston's rear and force him
to Withdraw from l'utll's front. lie WAS al
together too weak to hold his ground, having
lost at Mill Springs and Forts Henry aud
Donrlson about one third Of his command.
Thus were my fears one by one realized and
the miserable Sprcad-out policy "f tn" Con
tederatc Government about to reap its dcpior-
able harvest of disasters.
Buell. should never have been al!ow,H to
unite with Grant ut Shiloh. | never could
comprehend the fatal apathy that characterize
ed the conduct of the Confederate Govern
mcnt, at that time. Perceiving that John
ston's army was bound to fall back, too weak
after the Donclson affair even to resist Bucli's
column, and that now Cat the supreme DO
ment rcinforccments must come from some
quarter, | went to see Governor Moore, of
Louisiana, then in the city, and eagerly urged
upon him the necessity Of sending a suggcs-
tive telegram to the President, to tho effect
that "thc numerous steamboats, at the wharves
of New Orleans might be used for transport
ing Prices and Van Dorn's commands to Cen
cral Johnston's in Tennessee" that this sug-
gcStion would bring the matter to the notice
of Mr.. Davis who might then take immediate
action. urged that time and ~celtrity wcry.
everything with us, and delay might be fatal
even to New Orleans and louisiana for the
possession of the Mississippi River by the.
CicluN W NV" hlu WI u part. IL
was all to no purpose /; the Governor hesitatcd
and finally declined doing anything, saying
that he chad nothing to do with the military
| then called aside +. ". Noise, States At
tOrney -Genrral, who was said to control the
brains and conscience of the Governor, and en-
treated him to use his iuHucnce and nave the
kilograms sent. But this man said, quickly
and jcrkingly, "thc Governor has been re-
| peatedly Snubbcd by the President, and will
not subject himself to any further indignitics
from that quarter" was SO shocked at the
vindiciive absurdity of the excuse, when
disaster was threatening the very existence
Of the State and city in which these two men
ruled. that | could only say, Il would take i
Thousand suubDingS to save the cause
SWELL he said, with q determined shake ri
the head as hm turned away, "thr Gnrcrnor
| will not, and il is useless to talk further about
it," What folly
There was IL strange indiSposi,ion GU The
part of some OF The State governors To
Government. Each wanted independent
authority and de sired no superior. They
seemed to pull asoay from Mr.. Davis, and to
Seek to thwart his objects. Can one wonder
then, that Mr.. Davis should nave had a hard
time with so many obstacles Professionally
thrown in his WAY by the very men who had
i%nstigated the war? They felt so sure Of
Southern independence that they never con-
tcmplatcd the ruin which would result from i
failure of the Government, and regarded its
iron struggles with fatal Indifference.
The sample telegram suggested, if sent
might have caused the troops of Price and
Van Dorm to have taken part in the battle of
Shiloh. What might not have resulted from
the efforts of eighteen to twenty Thousand ad-
ditiOnal men, veterans Of Elkhorn and Oak
hills, in that days fight?