The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1906-07-12
Georgia "unopposed." as he himself ad-

mits.
Gen. Beauregard had moved in the
direction Of Georgia to assemble all
available forces to oppose Sherman's
advance At the time ! made my OIL
ciaI report / was furnished q copy OF
his letter to President Davis. stating In
full the reasons which had induced him
to approve my campaign. and enuiner-
ating the difficulties at this crisis to be
encountered in movement southwark
tn Georgia. This letter Is dated the
9Th OF December, but l insert Ii at this
point. since 1t treats Of events under
consideration, and which occurred just
prior to the advance into Tennessee:
Letter to Davis.
Augusta, Ca, Dec. 6, 1864.
ITO His Excellency, Jefferson Davis,
President Confederate States.
'Sir: Your letter Of the 30th ult, &C
knowledging the receipt OF my tele-
gram of the oath Of November. was
received by me on the road from Ma
con to this place.
with the limited reliable means at
our command / believe that all that
could be has been done. under existing
circumstances, to oppose the advance Of
Shcrman's forces towards the Atlantic
coast. That we have not thus far been
more successful none can regret more
than myself; but he will doubtless be-
prevented from capturing Augusta.
Charleston and Savannah. and he may
yet be made to experience serious loss
before reaching the coast.
ION the 18th of November, when
about leaving Tuscumbia, Ala, on a
tour OF inspection to Corinth, Miss, ]
was informed by Gen. Hood Of the re-
port just received by him that Sher-
man would probably move from Allan
ia into Georgia. instructed him at
once to repeat his orders to Gen.
Wheeler to watch closely Sherman
movements, and should he move as re-
ported to attack and harass him at all
favorable points.
"I teIegraphed to Lieut.-Gen. Taylor
at Selma, Ala, to call on Gov. Watts.
sissippi, for all the State troops that
they could furnish, and with all the
available movable forces of his depart
ment to keep himself In readiness ID
move at a moments notice to the as
s1stance Of Mat-Gen. Howell Cobb and
Mat.-Gen. G. W. Smith. who were then
at or about Griffin, Ga, threatening At
lanta.
call upon Gov Brown, of Georgia, and
Gov. Bonham. Of South Carolina. for
all the State troops that could be COL
lected.
! IT made all necessary preparations
/ to repair 1OTIHW1tH " 1Oui ~ eAN
event of Sherman's executing his re-
ported movement.
"On my arrival at Corsnth. on tho
| 18th Of November, having been III
formed that Sherman had commenced
his movement. I issued all nee CESAR,
orders to meet the emergency. includ-
ling an order to Gen. Hood 10 send one
division OF cavalry (Jackson'si to re
Iinrurce Wheeler; but this order was
suspended by him, his objection beiha
that his cavalry could not be reduced
Without endangering the success OF nj
campaign in Tennessee. and that Gen
| Whcelcr had already Il brigadns under
hrs command finally instructed him
tn send only one brigade. IL he contem
plated taking the Offensive 1T once, a!
had already been decided upon. | ther
left Corinth for Macon. where ar
rived on the 24th OF November.
II did not countermand the cam
paign in Tennessee 70 pursue Sherman
with Hoods army, for the following
reasons: