Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-05-26

gressive war, she would be the first
state invaded. To meet it she must get
ready at once.
GEN. JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON
The range of her operations is evil
denced by the reports received by Cen
eral Lee in the days following his APP
pointment as commander of the state
troops.
From Andrew Talcott Of the engin-
GERS he was informed on the construc-
ton of batteries about yorktown and
Norfolk; from Gen. Kenton Harper
at Harpers Ferry of the arms and am
munition saved from the arsenal and
available for the state; from Gen. ST.
George Cooke at Alexandria of the
movements of federal troops and OF
his readiness to impede traffic on the
Potomac by destroying lightboats and
buoys; from Gen. Daniel Ruggles at
Fredericksburg of his intention to pre-
vent supplies falling into northern
hands.
On April rs Nal Gen. Joseph E.
Johnston was assigned to the COM
mand of all the state forces about
Richmond. while Maj. Gen. Walter
Gwynn was given command of those
about Norfolk, where he should coop
crate with the naval officers in defend
ing the mouth Of the James, up which,
it was feared, might come a northern
flotilla against Richmond.
Johnston, Of the same age as Lee,
and a brother Virginian, his classmate
at West Point, a fellow officer in the
Mexican war and lifelong friend,
had been serving in the United States
army as quartermaster general Like
Lee he had been opposed to secession,
yet wnen his state had gone he had fol-
lowed her and had offered his services
to Virginia. He was the officer high
est, in rank who went with the Con-
federacy and was to prove one OF its
greatest generals.
ACT ON THE DEFENSIVE"
Virginia, however. could not stauo
alone, and her secession was promptly
followed by alliance with the Confed-
eracy. April % JEFFERSON Davis had tel
egraphed to Governor Letcher, Sustain
Baltimore if practicable; we reinforce
you" resulting in the delivery OF
1000 muskets to Maryland secessionists,
and the same day Alexander H. Steph-
ems, vice president of the Confederacy,
had come from Montgomery to Rich
mond where he found 'warlike prepar-
ations at every corner and along every
street"
AS commissioners for the Confederate
government he had April "a signed with
Virginia commissioners convention by
which the state became virtually a
member of the Confederacy and put its
whole military force and military OPP
erations, offensive and defensive" un-
der the direction of President Davis
This was ratihed by the state conven-
tion the day following.
AS yet, however, with all it's prepare
tions, Virginia planned no aggression,
and the alarm felt in Washington was
groundless.
you will act on the defensive" wrote
Lee, April "a, to General Cooke at Alex
andria, opposite Washington. Station
your troops at a suitable point to COM
mand the railroad. write and give as
surance of protection to the inhabitants
on the rivers, cause your troops to be
instructed in the use of their several
visioning them. You will endeavor to
allay the popular excitement as much
as possible.
THE BLOCKADE EXTENDED.
Fifty years ago today President Lin
coin extended to Virginia and North
Carolina the. blockade which he had on
the 10th proclaimed against the seven
previously seeded states
In the face of slch preparations as
Virginia was making, even IL defensive
only, the extension Of the blockade
might appear very inadequate, yet it
was all that the north could do for the
present.
The capitol itself was hardly yet Sc
cure, and hostile Baltimore with its
burned bridges still stood between it
and the north. Safety in the rear must
be provided for before anything else.
Fifty years ago, therefore, Gen. Ben
jamin r. Butler was assigned command
of the newly created department of
Annapolis, including Baltimore, and.
that disorder might be promptly sup
pressed, was authorized to suspend the
writ of habeas corpus when necessary,
thus providing virtually for martial
law.
Copyright, 1911, by Associated Liter
airy Press.)