The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-02-09
2. Urgent pressure for reiptorcemeuts
4

VILE Urgent pressure for reinforcements
Is followed by this suggestion
III / could get In a position 10 advances
beyond the Eappahannock ! should certain
~ draw their troops from the southern
coasts aud give some respite In that quar-
ter vigorous movement here would Ger
taiuly draw the enemy irSm there.
Tbis letter was not IN answer to any
thing from Davis. It's purpose was TO
show the threatening state OF military
sffairs, and offer a suggestion as to how
the crisis should be met IL Is significant
because on that very day Longstrcct, az
Fredericksburg, had first preached 10 Lee
the scheme for the Tennessee couceutrn-
ton, to which the latter had objected, pro
posing as a substitute the Pennsylvania IN
yasion.
The official records show 20 further con
tirmatlon of Longstreet that two OF thrce
DAYS after the foregoing letter was penned
Lee went TO Richmond where he remained
several days, After his return, the records
continuously chow energetic preparations on
Lees part for his contaminated campaign,
whereas there was evident hesitation at
Richmond. caused by their fears OF sud
den attack from the James. For Instance,
Davis wrote TO Lee on May ~:
ITO withdraw Ransom's, Cookies and
jenkins brigades from below RIchmondl
Is 10 abandon tho country TO the enemy, II
last information Is correct
LEE TO DAVIS.
May 30 Lee wrote to Davis: 81 have for
nearly month been endeavorlng TO get
this army In condition to move---to an
ticlpate an expected blow from the enemy.
! fear shall have TO receive Il here at a
disadvantage or retreat"
And again; ~ fear the time has passed
when ! could have taken the offensive with
advantage.
But perhaps the most decisive piece Of tes-
tlmOny against Colonel McClure's assump.
ton Is Davis answer to the foregoing, un.
der date of May 81:
~ had never fully comprehended your
views and purposes until the receipt OF your
letter Of yesterday, and now have 10 regret
that ] did not earlier know all that you
had communicated to others / Wish
knew how to relieve you from all anxiety
concerning movements on the York or
James river against Richmond, while yol
are moving toward the North and West;
I but even II you could spare troops for the
/ purpose, on whom could YOU devolve the
command with that feeling OF security
which would be necessary for the full exc
culiOn OF Your designsf
This is conclusive that the designs" for
northwafd movement were Lees and not
DAVIS. Lees strenuous preparations f0f
II mad been IN progress twenty days Thcn
( Davis wrote the foregoing Two days later
I Lee answered Davis, In part as follows.
II am well aware Of the difficulties press
Ing upon an PARTS Of the country. and your
which seems always 10 be presented rs 4
wise choice OF difficulties II / am
able 10 move, ] propose to do II cautiously
] whitening tue result ana not to get beyond
/ recall until find II safe"
/ Perhaps even more clearly than the fore
| going a confidential letter Of Lee to Seddor
I on June shows which end OF the line waf
] contemplating aggressive operations. In II
the general says:
'As far SIS can Judge there Is nothing "a
! be gained by his army remaining quietly
| on the defensive, which & must do unless
| II cnn be reinforced. am aware that ther,
| is difficulty ana hazard in taking the az
| gressiye with 50 large an army Ia its front
4 not be adyantageously attacked. Unless n
| can be drawn ont 10 a position 70 be MS
! sailed, II will take It's own time 70 prepar,
/ and strengthen itself 10 renew its advanci
! on Rich mond, and force this army bach
! within the intrenchments Of that city This
may be the result IN any event; stin
/ think II Is worth trioi 10 prevent such
/ catastrophe. SIN. n the department think
] as better 20 remain on the defensive, anf
D approach, and await the time % the enemy
! am ready 70 adopt that course"
/ 10 this stern diagnosis Of the situation
sud indication Of his own purpose. Secre
tary Seddon thus replied on June 10
! ~ concur entirely IN your Views ~ thi
! importance or aggressive movements By
/ your army. JUDGED, In my present judg
ment, Fuch action Is indispensable 20 oui
safety and independence, aud al attendap
have not heEitated, IN cooperating with
your plans, 20 leave this city almost de
I fenseless." etc.
Besides the foregoing positive evidenc,
! which settles the question. there Is Ducl
negative testimony that General Lee anC
NOT the president determined the director
are nature Of tbs csntsasrats campaign u