The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1906-03-29

your march,
Johnston Given $1,000 Men.
1 here give the subjoned extract
from letter of Gen. Bragg, addressed
To me at the close of the war:
Near Lowndesboro, Ala. Dec. II,
MY Dear General: In addition to
t army OF Tennessee, then at Dali
ton. the General commanding there
was offered, for an offensive campaign,
Folks Corps from Mississippi and Ala
bama, Longstreet's Corps from East
Tennessee, and a sufficient number
from Beauregard's command in South
Carolina and Georgia TO make up TO-
600 effective infantry. The cavalry
with these commands would have mum.
bered at least 10000 and the artillery
5000. total. $1,000. Besides the ef-
fectivc, SO reported, there were not
less than $1,000 able-bodied men bear
such as clerks, cooks, mechanics, Ia
borers, transfers, ETC.. one-half OF
whom. at least, could at any time be
placed in battle without impairing the
efficiency Of the army. To
furnish the means all other armies
dinated to the Army Of Tennessee
Even Gen. Lee. with the Army of Vir-
ginia, was to give UP Longstreet's
Corps, and remain on the defensive.
Yours truly, Braxton Bragg"
The President had thus agreed to
AFFORD Gen. Johnston every facility in
his power for the execution Of the pro-
posed plan Of operations; and it was
with the understanding we were to en-
ter upon an active campaign that
consented to leave the Army OF North
ern Virginia, with which 1 had served
since the outbreak Of the war.
On the evening OF my arrival at Dali
l repaired to Gen. Johnston's head
quarters and reported to him for duty
During our interview, in his room
alone, he Informed me that Gen.
Thomas was moving forward. and he
thought 1T might be best for us to fall
rear Of Dalton. I at once told him
that / knew nothing of the situation
or of the object Of Gen. Thomas's move
from Ringgold, but that we could. at
least. hold our position a sufficient
length of time to compel the enemy
few days. fell back to Ringgold. hav-
Ing merely made feint, I'm order to
cover some movement then being made
In Mississippi.
This was my Introduction to the
Army OF Tennessee, albeit not calcu-
ardor-since it was proposed to retreat
even before the enemy became in
earnest; I nevertheless laid before
Gen. Johnston the plan to join Folks
Army and Longstreets Corps on the
march into Tennessee, gave him as
mond would afford him every assist
ance. and Informed him, moreover,
that Gen. Lee favored the projected
campaign.
Gen. Johnston Immediately took the
ground that he did not very we'll know
In III
posed to pass to the rear OF the enc
my; that there were difficulties to be
encountered, ETC.; he desired Folks
and Longstreet's forces to join him at
Dalton where. this large army being
concentrated, he considered he should
be left to decide and act for the best;
In other words, be left to move for
ward. stand his ground or retreat. as
might seem most expedient.
To this demand Gen. Lee was un-
willing to accede: he was reluctant to
give up Longstreet's Corps. unless for
the purpose OF active work and deal
ing hard blows, In the performance OF
which task 1t had already so often
distinguished itself. The War Depart
ment objected to the withdrawal OF
Folks army from Mississippi. until ac-
tive operations were to commence, as
by such movement one OF the best
regions OF country for supplies would
be abandoned to the enemy. Thus
matters stood until the 7th Of March,
when, still anxious for the offensive, /
wrote to President Davis. suggesting
that Polk join US at Dalton, and we
move forward to make a junction with
Longstreet.
Hood Writes to Jen Davis.
I will here incidentally remark that
the following is the only correspond
ence l remember ever to have had with
the authorities at Richmond, while oc-
cupying a subordinate position, and it's
object was the furtherance OF Gen.
Johnston's wishes:
Dalton, Ga, March Z. 1864.
ITO His Excellency, President Jeffer-
son Davis:
II have delayed writing to you so
as to allow myself time to see the
condition OF this army. On my arrival
found the enemy threatening our po-
sition. / was, however, delighted to
ind our troops anxious for battle. He,
the enemy, withdrew after taking q
look, and is now resting with his adj
vance at Ringgold.
Il am exceedingly anxious, as I ex-
pressed to you before leaving Rich
mond, TO have this army strengthened,
SO as to enable us to move to the rear
of the enemy and with a certainty of
success. An addition of 10000 or 15,-
600 men will allow US to advance. We
can do SO anyhow by uniting with
Longstrcet.
But SO much depends upon the sue
cess of our arms on this line, that
thoroughly appreciate the Importance
OF collecting together all the forces
we possibly can, in order to destroy the
army under Gen. Grant. We should
march to the front as soon as posi-
bic, SO as not to allow the enemy to
concentrate and advance upon US. The
addition of Il few horses for our artil-
lery will place this army in fine con-
ditiOn. 1t is we'll clothed, well fed the
transportation is excellent and in the
greatest possible quantity required.
Il feel that q move from this posi-
ton, In sufficient force, will relieve our
entire country. The troops under
Gems. Polk and Loring having united
with the forces here, and a junction
being made with Gen. Longstreet, will
give US an army Of $4,000 or 10000
men, which ! think should be suffi-
cient to defeat and destroy all the
Federals on this side Of the Ohio River
Il sincerely hope and trust that this
opportunity may be given to drive the
eremy beyond the limits of the Con-
federacy. l never before felt that we
had it so thoroughly within our power
He, the enemy, is at present weak. and
we are strong. His armies are far
within our country, and the roads open
to his rear, where We have vast