The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-04-30

as it re.ires, to hang upon his tanks and
retard his progress by every possible
means. l am informed the brigades from
southwest Virginia have joined Wheeler.
Presidents dispatch of 23d just received.
"BRAXToN BRAGG. General"
Gen. Hardee had designed going to
Augusta to arrange for the defense of
that fortified city, but this plan was
changed when he was advised of Gen.
Bragg's assignment to that place. Presi-
dent Davis gave Gen. Hardee general in
structions in regard to operations against
the Union forces in the following dispatch:
Richmond, Va, Nov. "a, 1864.
"Gen. w. J. Hardee, Savannah, Ca.
when the purpose of the enemy shall
be developed, every effort must be fHade
to obstruct the route on which he is fff6v
ing. and all other available means must be
employed to delay his march, as well as
to enable our forces to concentrate, as to
reduce him to want of the necessary sup
| plies.
"Your attention is called to the prisoil-
ers of war who have been collected iii
Ware County. The position is, / suppose,
only designed for temporary occupation.
You will keep in constant cOmmunica-
ton with Gen. Bragg while you remain
on the coast, so as to have entire unity. of
design and operation. JEFF'N DAVIS"
Gen. Beauregard, who had now reached
Macon, was deeply interested in having
the most energetic steps taken to thwart
| the plans and overthrow the armies of tile
| Union in the West, as he foresaw impend-
| ing disaster to the Confederate cause if
Sherman'S campaign was success.
Gen Beauregard had, after the battle Of
| Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge,
advised strongly the immediate assent
bling of large army to take the Of
fensive in a Winter campaign against the
Union lines and force Grant, Thomas and
Sherman to withdraw their forces north
ward from the line of Chattanooga,
| Huntsville and Decatur, pointing ont that
their next step would be against Atlanta,
and that the capture of that place would
seriously endanger the Southern cause.
His plans were not adopted. He now
felt that the military situation required the
| concentration against Gen. Sherman of
veteran soldiers from any field from which
| they could be spared, and that the first
step to be taken was to crush Gen.
Thomas's army in Middle Tennessee. The
following dispatches give his views on the
situation and his order to Gen. Hood:
Macon, Nov. "a, 1864.
president Jefferson Davis:
Il arrived here this morning. Reports
Indicate enemy's advance to have reached
Il line extending from Dayisborough to
| Warrenton, and moving eastwardly, de-
strOying Central and Georgia Railroads.
Probabilities are that the enemy will fol
i low most direct route Port Royal, in
tending TO reinforce Grant as soon as
practicable.
state Militia and reserves leave in the
morning, under Gen. &. w. Smith, to re-
infOrce Gen. Hardee.
Have ordered Gen. Hood to take &c
live offensive in Middle Tennessee to re,
licve Gen. Lee.
&c. T. BEAUREGARD."
"Macon, Ga, Nov "a, 1864.
Gen. J. b. Hood: Sherman's move
ment is progressing rapidly toward At
lantic coast, doubtless to reinforce Grant
1t is essential you should take offensive
and crush enemy's force in Middle Ten
nessce soon as practicable to relieve Lee
SC. Il. BEAUBEGARD, General"
1t is interesting to note that six days
after the date of this dispatch to Gen
Hood that intrepid officer fought the grea
. battle of Franklin, in his determined effOr
to crush" the Union forces.
, The first question with the Confederate
Generals was the defense of Augusta
their opinion being that that importan
point would be first attacked. Upon {
telegram from President Davis Brig. Gen
Chestnut, former u. S. Senator from
; South Carolina, FASTENED with brigad,
of South Carolina troops to reinforce tn,
garrison Of Augusta.
| sHERMAN'S MOVEMENTS MYSTIFY CONFED
ri ERATE COMMANDERS.
The broad front of the Union column:
and the energetic movements of Kilpat
rick's cavalry had from the start mad,
it impossible for the most astute Con
r federate military critics to fathom Gen
2 Sherman's plans; they did not know a
what point on the Atlantic he proposed
coming out, or what his route would be t.
e reach the sea. Maj.-Gen. Sam Jones' com
handing at Charleston. was apprehensiv,
that Sherman's objective was that city
I BE. was anxious to be kept fully posted
as to the movements Of the Union army