The National tribune., 1906-04-12

1IN. AlIESA. NV An
to that period, and to which l nave
previously referred. We finally sepa-
rated; each rode off to his own tent;
and, howsoever, dispirited, / am conf
dent not one of us so far lost sight of
that cooperation so essential in time
of war, as to speak one word which
would convey a suspicion of Gen.
Jonhston's contemplated retreat to
Macon.
Shortly after this occurrence, the
army occupied the line at Kenesaw
Mountain, the last stronghold of the
many sharp ridges passed over during
our retreat. 1t was to the left of this
point, on Pine Mountain. that we lost
the brave and magnanimous Polk, and
with him much of the history of this
remarkable campaign.
The Confederate army had remained
on the defensive about 80 days at Ken
esaw Mountain, when Sherman resort
ed to a ruse he had learned from
experience would prove effective: he
sent a few troops TO make i rumbling
sound in our rear, and we folded up
our tents, as usual, under strict orders
to make no noise, and, under cover of
darkness, marched TO and across the
Chattahoochee, upon the fiat plains of
| Georgia.
After our passage of this river, on
moved rapidly to the eastward and
across the Chattahoochee, some dis
tance above Peach Tree Creek. He
| formed line parallel to this creek, with
his right on the river, and approached
Atlanta from the north, whilst Scho
field and McPherson, on the left.
marched rapidly in the direction of De-
catur to destroy the railroad to Angus
| ia.
-- JOIinston Superseded.
| Gen. Johnston thus relates the Sc.
quel: '.4f
"On the 17tht Maj. Gen. Wheeler re-
ported that the whole Federal army
had crossed the Chattahoochee.
The following telegram was received
from Gen. Cooper, dated July II:
Iieut.-Gen. J. B. Hood has been COM
missioned to the temporary rank of
General, under the late law of Con-
gress. / am directed by the Secretary
of War to inform you that as you have
| failed TO arrest the advance of the enc
my to the vicinity of Atlanta, far in
the interior of Georgia, and express no
confidence that you can defeat or repcl
him, you are hereby relieved from the
command of the Army and Department
of Tennessee, which you will imme-
diately turn over to Gen. Hood
Gen. Hood came to my quar-
| terS early in the morning of the 18th,
and remained there during the day.
| Intelligence soon came from Maj.-Gen.
| Wheeler that the Federal army was
marching toward Atlanta, and. at Gen.
Hoods earnest request, 1 continued TO
give orders through Brighten. Mackall,
Chief of Staff, until sunset"
About IL o'clock on the night of the
| 18th, / received telegram from the
War Office, directing me to assume
command of the army. This totally
unexpected order so astOunded me, and
overwhelmed me with sense of the re-
! sponsbility thereto attached, that / re-
manned in deep thought throughout the
night. Before daybreak I started for
Gen. Johnston's headquarters. a short
distance from which l met Lieut.-Gen.
| A. p. Stewart, one of my division com
manders, who had been recommended
by me, and recently promoted to the
rank of corps commander 10 replace
Gen. Polk.
We rode on together to Gen. John
ston's quarters, which we reached
shortly after dawn. l at once sought
the Commanding General, and inquired
into the cause of this order He re-
piled he did not know: the President
had seen fit to relieve him. I then in
sisted he should pocket that dispatch
leave me in command of my corps, and
fight the battle for Atlanta; at the same
time / directed his attention 10 the ap-
proach of Gen. Sherman, and alleged
that the enemy. unless checked, would
in few days capture the city.
To this appeal he replied that the
President had seen fit to relieve him.
and it would have so to be unless the
order was countermanded. Lieut.. Gems
Hardee and Stewart then Joined me in
a telegram to the President, request
ing that the order for his removal be
postponed, at least till the fate of At
lanta was decided.
Hood Desires iJohnston to Remnin.
The following extract from a letter
of Lieut.-Gen. p. Stewart will show
that | was desirous Gen. Johnston
should remain in command:
st. Louis, Aug. :, 1872.
Gen. J. B. Hood.
my Dear General: Your letter of
the 25th ultimo was received some days
since, and l avail myself of the first
opportunity TO answer it.
you ask me to send You a state
ment setting forth the facts as you Cd
understand them,i of the circumstances
attending the removal of Gen. J. F.
Johnston from the command of our
army in Georgia. In 1864, and my ap-
pointment to succeed him.. 1t gives
me pleasure too comply with your re-
quest. Monday morning Gully
1S) you will remember we met about |
sunrise in the road near Johnston's
headquarters. and / then informed you
of the object of seeking an interview. |
and that was that we should all three
unite in an effort to prevail on Gen. |
Johnston to withhold the order. and
retain command of the army until the
impending battle should have been
fought. l can bear witness to the read
mess with which you concurred We
went together TO Johnston's quarters. |
and you and he had n long conversa- |
ton with each other, which did 40, !
hear. At the close Of 1t, however, you
and Gen. Hardee and I went into the |
Adjutant-Generafs Office, and together |
prepared a telegram to the President. |
stating that, in our judgment, it was |
dangerous to change commanders at |
that juncture. and requesting him to
recall the order removing Johnston, at
least until the fate Of Atlanta should bel