The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-05-23

nave Deen enduring mere 4 nave dbSolulSAS
devoted myself to idleness.
1 have been disposed to write more par
ticularly about what concerns myself, to
explain to you, so far as practicable, the
operations for which 1 was laid upon the
shelf. You are one of the last whose I'M
favorable opinion l would be willing to
incur.
You know that the army I commanded
was that which, under Gen. Bragg, was
routed at Missionary Ridge; Sherman's
army was that which routed it. reinforced
by the Sixteenth and Twenty-third corps
l am censured for not taking the offensive
at Dalton, where the enemy, if beaten, had
a sure refuge behind the fortified gap at
Ringgold, or in the fortress of Chattanoo-
ga, and when the odds against US were al
most ten to four. AT Reseca he received
five brigades, near Kingston three and
about $500 cavalry, at New Hope church
one-in ali about 14,000 infantry and artil-
lery. The enemy received the Seventeenth
corps and a number of garrisan and bridge
guards from Tennessee and Kentucky that
had been relieved by numerous hundred
day men,"
1 am blamed for not fighting. Opera
tions commenced about the 9Th of May; I
was relieved on the 18th of July. In that
time we fought daily, always under cir
cumstances so favorable to us as to make
it certain that the sum of the enemy's loss
was I'VE times ours, WHICH was luVoO IuCiA.
Northern papers represent Sherman's up
to about the end of June at 5000 men.
Sherman's progress was at the rate OF
mile and quarter day.
Had this style of lighting been allowed
to continue, is 1t not clear that we would
soon have been able to give battle with
abundant chances of victory, and that the
enemy, defeated ON this side of the Chat
tahoochee, would have been destroyed?
1t is certain that Sherman's army was
stronger, compared with that of Ten
nessee," than Grants, compared with
that of Northern Virginia.
Gen. Bragg asserts that Sherman's was
absolutely stronger than Grants.
1t is well known that the army of Vir-
ginia was much superior to that of Ten
nessee.
Why, then, should I be condemned for
the defensive, while Gen. Lee was adding
to his great fame by the same course?
Gen. Bragg seems to have earned at
Missionary Ridge his present high posi-
ton.
People report at Columbus and Mont
gomery that Gen. Bragg said that my
losses had been frightful; that 1 had dis
regarded the wishes and instructions of
the President; that he had implored me
to change my course, by which l suppose
| he means assume the offensive.
AS these things are utterly untrue, it is
Gen. Bragg.
The President gave me no instructions,
and expressed no wishes, except just be-
| fore we reached the Chattahoochee, warn
| ing me not to fight with the river behind
us, and against crossing it, and previous
| ly he urged me not to allow Sherman to
| detach to Grants aid
Gen. Bragg passed some two hours with
me just before l was relieved, and gave
me the impression that his visit to the
| army was casual he being on his way
| further west, to endeaVor to get US rein
| forcements from Kirby Smith and Lee.
thought him satisfied with the state OF
things, but not so with that in Virginia.
He assured me that he had always
maintained in Richmond that Sherman's
| army was stronger than Grants.
He said nothing of the intention to re-
| lieve me, but talked with Gen. Hood or
the subject, as 1 learned after my re-
moval
It is clear that his expedition had ne
other object than my removal and the
giving proper direction to public opinion
upon the subject.
He could have had no other object In go
| ing to Montgomery.
A man of honor in his place would have
communicated with me as well as witt
Hood upon the subject.
Being expected to assume the offensive
| 11oOu dlldCh6u Ol the 4Vlilf A1uf anu GoNA
| of July disastrously, losing more men thar
I had in Y (seventy-two) days. since ther
his defensive has been at least as quie
/ as mine has.
But you must be tired of this. We arr
living very quietly and pleasantly here.
The Georgians have been very hospita
| BILE.
We stopped here merely because it wa!
the first stopping place.
Remember us cordially to Mrs. Maury.
Tell her the gloves arrived most oppor
timely. Mine had just been lost, and /
would have been impossible to buy more
and they are lovely.
Just before I left the army we though
the odds against US had been reduced al
most six to four.
have not supposed. therefore, tina
Sherman could either invest Atlanta o.
carry 1t by assault. Very truly yours,
]. L. Johnston.
Mai Gen Many