The National tribune., 1906-06-28
JEFF Davis Visits Hood.

On the 25th, at $3.50 p. M, President
Davis, accompanied by two staff Off
GERS, arrived at Palmetto. with a view
TO ascertain in person the condition of
the army; TO confer, as requested, with
the corps commanders in regard to the
operations around Atlanta, and to OBJ
tain the particulars of the proposed
campaign in the rear of Sherman.
On the ensuing morning we rode
forth together to the front. with the
object of making an informal review of
the troops. Some briSades received the
President with enthusiasm: others were
seemingly dissatisfied and inclined to
cry out. Give US Gen. Johnston" |
regretted ! should have been the cause
of this uncourteous reception to His
Excellency: at the same time | could
recall no offense save that of having
insisted that ;hey should fight for and
hold atlanta 46 days. whereas they had
previously retreated 100 miles within
sc days.
During the evening the President was
serenaded by the 10th La. band, ac-
companied by quite large number of
soldiers. He made upon the occasion
a short but spirited speech. which was
received with long and continued
cheers Gen. Howell Cobb and Gov
Harris. Of Tennessee, also delivered
brief and eloquent addresses.
The President heId a long conference
the next day with Lieut.-Gens Lee and
Stewart in house not far from my
tent. He conferred also separately with
Gen. Hardee. / had at a previous in
terview fully expressed to him my views
in relation TO the condition of the army.
and maintained that our only hope Il
checkmate Sherman was to assume the
offensive. cut the enemy's communica-
tions, select position on or near the
Alabama line i'm proximity TO the Blue
Mountain Railroad, and there give him
battle. Should the enemy move south.
] could as easily from that point as
from Palmetto follow upon his rear. if
that policy should be deemed prefer
able. On the other hand. if my posi-
tion on or near the Alabama line should
force Sherman TO move out Of Allan
ta-as I believed II would do-and di-
vide his army by sending off a portion
to Tennessee, which he would consider
Immediately threatened. | might he
able to defeat the wing of the Fedora
army remaining in Georgia. drive il
from the country. regain our lost ter.
ritory reinspifit the troops and bring
hope again to the hearts Of our people
I stated also that | thought an of.
fensiye move would improve the morale
of the army to degree which woui6
render 1t equal TO giving battle 10 tht
enemy: that at the moment II was To-
tally unfit for pitched battle, and th'
ABOVE pidn oHeEen me sote Ctdnce u
avert disaster.
Prior 10 his departure 1 recalled t
him the fact that l had accepted will
reluctance the position to which 1 ha,
been assigned; thar | had never sough
prefcrment from him either directl,
or indirectly. and assured him l cher
ished but one desire, which was TO d,
my whole duty 10 my country. ] toll
him I was aware of the outcry agains
me, through the press, since the re
moval of Johnston. and If he adjudge.
a change of commanders cxpedient no
TO hesitate to relieve me entirely from
duty with the Army of Tennessee or Il
give me a corps or division under
more competent leader than myself
After final counsel with the Lieuten
ant-Generals he left for Montgomery
at 6 p. m, on the 9th of September.
The main part of the above conver
sation was repeated after he ha
mounted his horse and was in Teadi
ness to leave. He replied that he nigh