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DAILY TIMES.
J. 11. W4RRE\, - - - Editor.
COLUMBUS:
Sunday Morning, March §, 1865.
The Case or Col. Yon Zinkkk.— The item
whieh crept into our noon edition yesterday,
in reference to the recent decision in this case,
apper.n and without our knowledge, and does not
reflect our views. Whatever may have been
our individual opinion of the conduct of per
sons whose names have been associated with
this tragic and melancholy affair, we recog
nize it as tbe duty of r-vcrv good citizen to
bow, obediently and unooiupi<-...a.g!y, to tbe
decision of the proper tribunal, rendered after
a fall and fair investigation of the case.
“UK THAT cannot skk well, let him 00 soft
ly. —lord bacon.
In our present tumbles, there are many who
advise that we fly to ev rune measure* and
doubt;u! politic. The dVre? wo'cutr rime
do grievously burthen us : iirsoiuudi. that
some arc tempted to cast inem away at what
ever hazard. They forget that we walk among
precipices and might, by the effort to throw
down our troubles, lose our ceutre oi gravity,
and be da3hed to pieces upon the .rocks !
Still it may bo wise to consider even ex
treme measures, in the hope of deriving fr m
them somewhat of utility. He who says “put
<7/7 tbe negroes in the army’’ maybe visionary
and his policy a pernicious one ; and yet it is
worth while to consider if we may not em*
ploy a part of them in volunteer organizations
*■<■ advantage —in connection with their masters
and overseers jm Uml defense-j |He who utter
ly despairs of the fate of the Confederacy, un
der the ansrdcee of President Davis, and be
wailing the military disasters which befall us,
advises a rash adventure into the realms of
t il;:km —u u>'til abandonment of the authori
ties and a convention of the States, to remofl
dlr the Government, may be an empiric, in
statesmanship, and spread the plaster broad
er than the wound; but it behooves, never
theless, that wc look narrowly to the causes
of his dissatisfaction and see if at the bottom
of his mad schemes, there may be a sugges
tion of practical wisdom. We may have need
none, for his “convention and yet, consul
tation and mutual advisement in primary as
semblies of the people, the pen of the patrio
tic philosopher and the tongue of the orator,
may be in just requisition to enlighten the
ignorant, confirm the wavering, inspire she
faithful and lift the natron up to the height of
its great duty and glorious destiny.
It was an instructive conceit of the Greek
Sculptor which represents, in the temples of
the Parthenon, Neptune in the way of his own
horses, white Minerva is left an open passage
to her sublime career. We are taught not
too rashly to rule the waves—to drive calmly
in the midst of the tempest, or else we may add
to their tumult aud contribute to the catas
trophe which they threap.
ff, at last, we are drifted into disorganiza
tion and a convention should become necessa
ry, let us be prepared to support wise coun
sels and turn it to a grand account.
Will Warwick.
Official Report of Gen. Jos. E. Johnston
Relative to the Operations of the Army
of Tennessee.
Vineville, Ga., Oct. 20, 1864.
General S. Cooper ,
Adjutant and Inspector General:
Sat; I have the honor to make the follow
ing report of the operations of the Army of
Tennessee while it was under my command.
Want of the repbrts of the lieutenant-generals,
for which I have waited until now, prevents
me from being circumstantial.
In obedience to the orders of the President,
received by telegraph at Clinton, Miss., Dec.
18th, 186 J, I assumed command of the Array
or Tennessee, at Dalton, on the 27th of that
month.
Letters from the President and Secretary of
War, dated respectively 23d and 20th of De
cember, impressed upon me the importance of
soon commencing active operations against
tho enemy. The relative forces, including
the moral effect of the affair of Missionary
Ridge, condition of the artillery horses, and
most of those of the cavalry, and want of field
transportation, made it impracticable to effect
the wishes of the Executive.
On the 31st of December the effective total
of the infantry and artillery of the army, in
cluding two brigades belonging to the depart
ment of Mississippi, was 36,826 ; the effective
total of the cavalry, including Roddy’s com
mand at Tuscumbia, was 5,613. The Federal
force in our front, exclusive of cavalry and
the 9th and 23d corps at Knoxville, was esti
mated at 80,000.
The winter was mainly employed in im
proving the discipline and equipment ot the
army, and bringing back absentees to tbe
ranks. At the eud of April more than 5,000
had rejoined their regiments.
The horses of the cavalry and artillery had
beeu much reduced in condition by the previ
ous campaign. As full supplies of forage
could not be furnished them at Dalton, it was
necessary to send about half of each of these
arms of service far to the rear, where the
country could furnish food. On that account
■Brigadier General Roddy was ordered, with
about three-fourths of his troops, from Tus
cumbia and Dalton, and arrived at the end of
February. On the 2d of April, however, he
was sent back to his former position by the
Secretary of War.
On the 15th and 16th of January Baldwin's
and Quarles’ brigades returned to the depart
ment of Mississippi and East Louisiana, to
which they belonged. His Excellency Joseph
E. Brown added to the army two regiments
of State troops, which were used to guard
the railroad bridges between Dalton and At
lanta.
On the 17th of February the President or
dered me, by telegraph, to detach Lieut. Gen.
Hardee, with the infantry of his corps, except
Stevenson’s division, to aid Lieut. Gen. Polk
against Sherman in Mississippi. This order
was obeyed as promptly asjour means of trans
portation permitted.
The force detached was probably exaggera
t'd to Major General Thomas, for on the 23i
the Federal army advanced to Ringgold, on the
24th drove in our outposts, and skirmished on
the 25th at Mill Creek Gap and Crow Valley,
east of Rocky Face Mountain. We were suc
cessful at both places. At the latter, Clayton s
brigade, after a sharp action of half an hour,
defeated double its number. At night it was
reported that a United States brigade was oc
cupying Dug Gap, from which it had driven
our troops. Granbury’s Texas brigade, re
turning from Mississippi, had just arrived. It
was ordered to march to the foot of the moun
tain immediately, and to retake the gap at
sunrise next morning, which was done. In
the night of the 26th the enemy retired.
On the 27th of February I suggested to the
Executive, by letter through Gen. Bragg, that
all preparations for a forward movement
should be made without further delay. In a
letter dated March 4th, Gen. Bragg desired me
to have all things ready at the earliest practi
cable moment for the movement indicated. In
replying, on the 12th, I reminded him that
n t? re B u lations of the War Department do
e P arat ioas to commanders of
but to officers who receive their orders
from Richmond. ” Or. tbe 13th a letter was
received from Gen. Bragg, sketching a plan of
offensive operations, and enumerating tbe
troops to be used in them under me. 1 was
invited to express my views on tbe subject. In
doing so, both by telegraph and mail, I sug
gested modifications, and urged that the addi
tional troops named should be sent immedi
ately, to enable us, should the enemy advance,
to beat him and then move forward; or,
should he not advance, do so ourselves. Gen.
Bragg replied by telegraph, on the 21st:
“ Your dispatch of the 19th does not indicate
acceptance of the plan proposed. Troops can
only be drawn from other points for advance.
Upon your decision of that point further ac
tion must depend. ” I replied, by telegraph,
on the 23d: “In my dispatch of the 19th I
expressly accept taking the offensive; only
differ with you as to details. I assume that
the enemy will be prepared for advance before
we will, and will make it to our advantage:
therefore I propose, both for offensive
and defensive, to assemble our troops
here Immediately.” This was not noticed.
Therefore, on the 25th, I again urged the ne
cessity of ri inferring the Army of Tennessee,
because th * enemy was collecting a larger
force than tout of the last campaign, while
ours was lesj than it hail been then.
On the 3d of April Lieut. Col. A. H. Cole
arrived at Pulton, to direct the procuring of
artillery horses and field transportation, to en
fiul>' the army to advance.
o,i the 4th, under orders 32 of 1801, I ap
plied to the chief of the conscription service .
f f ,r one thousand negro teamsters. None were
received.
On the Bth ot April Col. B ri. Ewell, assist
ant adjutant general, was sent to Richmond to .
represent to the President tuy wish to take the j
offensive with proper means, and to learn his !
views. A few days after Brig Gen. Pendleton
arrived from Richmond to explain to me the
President’s wishes on the subject. I explained
to him the modification of the plan communi
cated by General Bragg, which seemed to me
essential, which required that the intended
reinforcements should be sent to Dalton. I
urged that this should be done without delay,
because our present force was not sufficient
even for defense, and to enable us to take the
offensive if the enemy did not.
On Ist of May I reported the enemy about
to advance On the 2d, Brig. Gen. Mercer’s
command arrived—about 1400 effective infan
try. On the 4th, I expressed myself satisfied
that the enemy was about to attack with his
united forces, aud again urged that a part of
Lieut. Gen. Polk’s troops should be put at my
disposal. 1 was informed by Gen. Bragg that
orders to that effect were given.
Maj. Gen. Martin, whose division of cavalry
was coming from East Tennessee, had been
halted on the Etowah to recruit its horses, wa3
ordered with it to observe the Oostanaula from
Resaca to Rome; and Brig. Gen. Kelly was
ordered with his command from the neighbor
hood of Resaca to report to Major General
Wbeeler.
The effective artillery and infantry of the
Army of Tennessee, after the arrival of Mer
cer’s brigade, amounted to 40,000 ; the effect
ive cavalry to about 4,000. Maj. Gen. Sher
man’s army was composed of that of Mission
ary Ridge, (then 80,000,) increased by several
thousand recruits, 5,000 theu under Hovey,
the 23d corps (Schofield’s) from Knoxville,
and two divisions of the lOtn, ft >m North
Alabama.
Maj. Gen. Wheeler estimated the cavalry of
that army at 15,000.
On the sth of May this army was in line
between Ringgold and Tunnei Hill, and after
skirmishing on that and the following day, on
the 7th passed back our advanced troops to
Mill Creek Gap. On the same day Brig. Geu.
Canty reached Resaca with his brigade, and
wag halted, there.
On the Bth, at 4 p, m., a division of Hook
er’s corps assaulted Dug Gap, which wa3 held
bravely by two regiments of Reynolds’ Ark
ansas brigade and Grigsby’s brigade of Ken
tucky cavalry, fighting on foot, until the arri
val of Lieut. Gen. Hardee, with Graubury’s
brigade, when the enemy was put to flight.
On the 9th, five assaults were made on Lt.
Gen Hood’s roups on Rockv Face mountain.
All were repulsed. In the afternoon a report
was received that Logan’s and Dodge’s divis
ions were in Snake Creek Gap. Three divis
ions, under Lieut. Gen. Hood, were, therefore,
sent to Res tea. On the 10th, Lieut. General
Hood reported the enemy retiring. Skirmish
ing, to our advantage, continued all day near
Dalton. Maj. Gen. Bate repulsed a vigorous
attack at night.
On the 11th, Brig. Gen. Canty reported that
the enemy were again approaching Resaca.—
Lieut. Gen. Polk arrived there in the evening
with Loring’s division, and was instructed to
defend the place with those troops and Canty’s.
'Phe usual skirmishing continued near Dalton.
Rocky Face mountain and Snake Creek
Gap, at its south end, completely covered, for
the enemy, the operation of turning Dalton.
On the 12th, the Federal army, covered by the
mountain, moved bySnake Creek Gap towards
Resaca. Maj. Gen. Wheeler, with 2200 of ours,
attacked and defeated more than double that
number of Federal cavalry near Varnell’s sta
tion. At night our artillery and infantry
marched for Resaca. The cavalry followed
on the 13th. On that daj, the enemy ap
proaching on the Snake Creek Gap road, was
checked by Loring’s troops, which gave time
for the formation of Hardee’s and Hood’s corps,
just arriving. As the enemy was formed, the
left of Polk’s corps was on the Oosianaula,
and the right of Hood’s on the Cona3auga.—
There was brisk skirmishing during the atter
noon on Polk’s front and Hardee's left.
On the 14th the enemy made several attacks
—the most vigorous on Hindman’s division,
(Hood’s left ) All were handsomely repulsed.
At 6 p. m. Hood advanced with Stevenson’s
and Stewart’s divisions, supported by two ol
Walker’s brigades, driving the enemy from his
ground before night. He was instructed to be
ready to continue tbe offensive next morning.
At 9 p. m., I learned that Lieut. Gen. Polk's
troops had lost a position commanding our
bridges; and reeeived from Maj Gen. Martin
a report that the Federal infantry was cross
ing the Oostanaula, near Calhoun, on a pon
toon bridge. The instructions to Lieut. Gen.
Hood were revoked, and Walkers division
sent to the point named by Maj. Gen. Martin.
On the 15th, there wa9 severe skirmishing
on the whole front. Maj. Gen. Walker report
ed no movement near Calhoun. Lieut Gen.
Hood was directed to prepare to move forward,
his right leading, supported by two brigades
from Polk’s and Hardee’s corps. When he was
about to move, information came from Major
Gen. Walker, that the Federal right was cross
ing the river. To meet this movement, Lieut.
Gen. Hood’s attack was countermanded —Ste-
wart’s division not receiving the order from
| corps headquarters in time, attacked unsuc
i cessfully. The army was ordered to cross the
| Oostanaula that uight, destroying the bridges
I behind it.
On the 16th, the enemy crossed the Oosta
naula. Lieut. Gen. Hardee skirmished with
them successfully near Calhoun.
The fact that a part of Polk’s troops were
still in the rear, and the great numerical supe
riority of the Federal army made it expedient
to risk battle only when position or some blun
der of the enemy might give us counter-baR
ancing advantages, I therefore determined to
fall back slowly until circumstances should
put the chances of battle in our favor, keep
ing so near the United States army as to pre
vent its sending reinforcements to Grant: and
hoping, by taking advantage of positions and
opportunities, to reduce the odds against us
by partial engagements. I also expected it to
be materially reduced before the end of June
by the expiration of the terms of service of
many of the regiments which had not re en
listed. In this way we fell back to Cassville
in two marches. At Adairville, about midway,
on the 17th, Polk’s cavalry, under Brig. Gen.
Jackson, met the enemy, and Hardee, after
severe skirmishing, checked them. At this
point, on the 18th, Polk’s and Hood s corps
took the direct road to Cassville; Hardee’s
that by Kingston. About half the Federal
I army took each road.
French’s division having joined Polk’s corps
j ors the 18th, on the morning of the 19th.
when half the Federal army was near
Kingston, the two corps at Cassville were
ordered to advance against the troops that had
followed them from Adairsville, Hood leading
on the right. When -his corps bad advanced
some two miles, one of his staff officers re
ported to Lieut. Gen. Hood that the enemy
was approaching on the Canton road, in rear
of the right of our original position. He
drew back his troops and formed them across
that road. When it was discovered that the
officer was mistaken, the opportunity had pass •
ed, by the near approach of the Federal army.
Expecting to be attacked, I drew up the troops
in what seemed to me an excellent position—
a bold ridge, immediately in rwr of Cassville,
with an open valley before , fire of the
enemy’s artillery commenced .'ter the
troops were formed, and continued until night.
Soon after dark, Lieut. Generals Polk and
Hood, together, expressed to me decidedly the
opinion, formed upon the observation of tho
afternnon, that the Federal artillery wouid
render their positions untenable tho next day,
and urged me to abandon the ground immedi
ately ami cross the Etowah Lieut. General
Hardee, whose position 1 thought weakest,
was confident that he could hold it. The oth
er two officers, however, were so earnest and
unwilling to depend on the ability of their
corps to defend the ground, that l yielded, and
the arm crossed the Etowah ou the 20th, a
step which I have regretted ever since
Wheeler's cavalry was placed in observation
above, and .Jackson’s below the railroad.
On the 22d Mi or General Wheeler was sent
with all his troops, not required for observa
tion, to the enemy's rear; and on the 24th beat
a brigade at Cassville, and took or burned two
hundred and fifty loaded wagons. In the
meantime, the enemy was reported by Jack
son’s troops, moving down the Etowah, as if
to cross it neat Stilesboro’, and crossing on
the 23d. On the 24th, Polk’s and Hardee's
corps reached the road from Stilesboro’ to
Atlanta, a few miles south of Dallas ; and
Hood’s four miles from New Hope Church, on
the road from Alatoona. On the 25th the
enemy was found to be intrenched near and
east of Dallas. Hood’s corps was placed with
its centre at New Hope Church, and Polk’s
and Hardee’s ordered between it and the At
lanta road, which Hardee’s left was to cover.
An hour before sunset Stewart’s division, at
New Hope Church, was fiercely attacked by
Hooker’3 corps, which it repulsed after a hot
engagement of two hours. Skirmishing was
kept up on tbe 26th and 27th. At half-past
5 p. m., on the 27th, Howard's corps assailed
Cleburne’s division, and was driven back
about dark with great slaughter. In these
two actions our troops were not entrenched.
Our loss in each was about four hundred and
fifty in killed and wounded. On the 27th the
enemy’3 dead, except those borne off, counted
six hundred. We, therefore, estimated their
loss at three thousand at least. It was proba
bly greater on the 25th, as we had a larger
force engaged then, both of artillery and in
fantry.
Theunual skirmishing was kept up on the 2Sth.
Lieut. General Hood was instructed to put his
corps in positiea during the night to attack the
enemy’s left flank at dawn the next morning, the
rest of the army to join in the action successively
from right to left.
On the 29th Lieut. Gen. Hood, finding the Fed
eral left covered by a division which had intrench
ed itself in the night, thought it inexpedient to
attack, so reported, and asked for instructions.—
As the resulting delay made the attack inexpe
dient, even if it had not been so before, by pre
venting the surprise—upon which sHCce3s, in a
great degree, depended—he was recalled.
Skirmishing continued until the 4th of June,
the enemy gradually extending his intrenched
line towards the railroad at Acworth. On the
morning of the sth the army was formed with its
left at Lost Mountain, its centre near Gilgath
church, and its right near the railroad. On the
7th the right, covered by Noonday creek, was ex
tended aoross the Acworth and Marietta road.—
The enemy approached under cover of successive
lines of entrenchments. There was brisk and in
cessant skirmishing until the 13th.
On the 14th the brave Lieut. Gen. Polk, distin
guished in every battle in which this army had
fought, fell by a cannon shot, at an advanced
post. Major Geu. Loring succeeded to the com
mand, which he held until the 7th of July with
great efficiency.
Oa the 14th of June a letter from Governor
Brown informed me that he had organized a di
vision of infantry, and placed it under my orders.
These troops, when ready for service about the
middle of the month, under Major General G. W.
Smith, were employed to defend the crossings es
the Chattahoochee, to prevent the surprise of At
lanta by the Federal Cavalry.
On the 19th anew line was taken by the army.
Hood’s corps, with its right on the Marietta and
Canton road; Loring’s on the Konnesaw mountain,
and Hardee’s with its left extending across the
Lost Mountain and Marietta road. The enemy
approached, as usual, under cover of intrench
ments. In this position there was incessant fight
ing and skirmishing until July 3d, the enemy
gradually extending his intrenched right towards
Atlanta. On th® 20th of June, Major General
Wheeler with eleven hundred men routed Ganard’s
division of Federal cavalry on our right. On the
21st Hood’s corps was transferred from right to
left, Wheeler’s cavalry taking charge of the posi
tion it had left. On the 22d Lieut. Gen. Hood
reported that Hindman sand Stevenson’s divisions
of his corps, being attacked, drove back the ene
my, taking a line of his breastworks, but were
compelled to withdraw by the fire of fortified ar
tillery. On the 24th Hardee’s skirmishers form
ed a line of battle, as did Stevenson's of Hpod’s
corps, on the 25th. On the 27th, after a furious
cannonnade of several hours, the enemy made a
general advance, but was everywhere repulsed with
heavy loss. The assaults were most vigorous on
Cheatham’s and Cleburne’s divisions, of Hardee’s
corps, and French’s and Featheraton’s, of Loring’s.
Lieut. Gen. Hardee reports that Cheatham’s di
vision lost in killed, wounded and missing,one hun
dred and ninety five. The enemy opposed to it,
by the statement of a staff officer subsequently
captured, lost two thousand. The loss of Cle
burne’s division eleven—that of the enemy on his
front one thousand; and Jfajor General Loring
reported two hundred and thirty six of his corps
killed, wounded and missing, and the loss of the
enemy, by their own estimate, at between two thou
sand five hundred and three thousand, which he
thinks very small.
On the Ist of July Major Gen. Smith’s division
was ordered to support the cavalry on our left. —
Their effective total was about fifteen hundred. On
the 2d the enemy’s right being nearer to Atlanta
by several miles than our left, the army fell back
during the night to Smyrna church. On the 4th
J/ajor Gen. Smith, reported that he should be
compelled to withdraw on the morning of the sth
to the line of entrenchments coverning the rail
road bridge and Turner’s ferry. The army was
therefore, ordered to retire at the same time to
that line, to secure our bridges. The cavalry
crossed the Chattahoochee-Wheeler observing it for
some twenty miles above, and Jackson as far be
low. The enemy advanced, as usual, covered by
entrenchments. Skirmishing continued until the
9th. Our infantry and artillery were brought to
the southeast side of the river that night, because
two Federal corps had crossed it above Powers’
ferry on the Bth and entrenched. Lieut. General
Stuart took command of the corps on the 7th.
The character of Peachtree creek and the nu
merous fords in the Chattahoochee above its
mouth, prevented mj attempting to defend that
part of the river. The broad and muddy channel
of the creek would have separated the two parts
of the army. It and the river below its mouth
were, therefore, taken as our line. A position on
the high ground south of the creek was selected
for the army, from which to attack the enemy
while crossing. The engineer officers, with a
large force of negroes,were set to work to strength
en the fortifications of Atlanta, and to mount on
them seven heavy rifles borrowed from Major
General Maury. The Chief Engineer was in
structed to devote his attention —first, to the works
between the Decatur and Marietta roads, to put
them in such condition that they might be held
by the State troops, so that the artny might attack
the enemy in flank when he approached the town
this in the event that we should be successful
in attacking the Federal army in it' passage of
Peachtree creek.
After the armies were separated by trie Chatta
hoochee, skirmishing became less serere. On the
14th a division of Federal cavalry crossed the
river by Moore’s bridge, near Newnan, but was
driven bark by Armstrong’s brigade, sent by
Brig. Gen. Jackson to meet it.
On the 15tb Gov. Brown informed me, .©rally,
that he hoped to reinforce the army before the
end of the month with near ten thousand State
troops.
On the 17th, the main body of the Federal army
crossed the Chattahoochee between Roswell and
Powers’ Ferry. At 10 o’clock, p. in., while I was
giving Lieut. Col. Prestman, Chief Engineer, in
structions in regard to his work of the next day
on the fortifications of Atlanta, a telegram was
received from General Cooper, informing me, by
direction ot the Secretary of War, that as I had
failed to arrest the advance of the enemy to the
vicinity of Atlanta, and expressed no confidence
that I could defeat or repel him, I was relieved
frern the command of the army and department of
Tecne-sse, which w-ni’d ivo iturned:'.!>iy turned
over ro Gee. Ho** This was done at once. On
the morning of the loth the enemy was reported
to bo advancing, and, at Gen Hood’s request, I
tuntinued to give orders until afternoon, placing
ttie troops on the position .'elected near Peachtree
creek.
In transferring the command to (ten. Hood I
explained my pl&us to him : First, to attack the
Federal army while crossing Peachtree creek. If
we w< re successful, great results might be hoped
for, as the eremy, would have both the creek and
the river to intercept his retreat. Second, if un
successful, to keep back the enemy by intrenching,
to give time for the assembling of the State troops
promised by Gov. Brown; to garrison Atlanta
with those troops, and when the Federal army
approached the town attack it on tho most ex
posed flank with all the Confederate troops.
These troeps, who had been for seventy four
days in the immediate presence of the enemy,
laboring and fighting daily, enduring toil, exposure
and danger with equal cheerfulness, more confis
dent and high spirited than when the Federal
army presented itself near Dalton, were then
inferior to none who ever served the Confede
racy.
Under tbe excellent administration of Brig.
Gun. Mackall, Chief of Staff, the troops were well
equipped a! and abundantly supplied. The draught
animals of the artillery and quartermaster’s de
partment were in better condition on tho ISth of
July than on the sth of May. Wo lost no mate
rial in the retreat, excript the four field pieces
mentioned in the accompanying report of General
Hood.
I commdficed the campaign with Gen. Bragg’s
army of Missionary ridge, with ono brigade added
—Mercer’s; and two taken away—Baldwin’s and
Quarles’. That opposed to us was Grant’s army
of Missionary Ridge, then estimated at eighty
thousand by our principal officers, increased, as I
have stated, by two corps, a division, and several
thousand men. The cavalry of that army was
estimated by Major General Wheeier at fifteen
thousand.
The reinforcements which joined our army
amounted to fifteen thousand infantry and artiL
lery, and four thousand cavalry. Our scouts
reported much greater numbers joining the Uaited
States army; garrison and bridge guards from
Tennessee and Kentucky relieved by “one hundred
days’ men,” and the 17th corps, with two thousand
cavalry.
The loss of our infantry stud aftillery from the
sth of May had been about ten thousand in killed
and wounded, and four thousand seven hundred
from all other causes, mainly slight sickness pro
duced by heavy cold rains, which prevailed in the
latter half of June. These and the slightly
wounded were beginning to rejoin their regiments.
For want of reports, I am unable to give the loss
or the services of the cavalry, which was less under
my eye than the rest of the army. The effective
strength was increased by about two thousand
during the campaign.
The effective force transferred to Gen. Hood
waß about forty-one thousand infantry and artil
lery and 10,000 cavalry.
According to the opinions of our most experi
enced officers, daily reports of prisoners, and
statements of Northern papers, the enemy’s loss
could not have been less than five times as great
as ours. Iff the cases in which we had the means
of estimating it, it ranged from seven to one to
ninety one to one compared with ours, and ave
raged thirteen to one. The Federal prisoners
concurred in saying that their heaviest loss
occurred in the daily attacks made in line of
battle upon our skirmishers in their rifle pits.
Whether they succeeded in dislodging our skir
mishers or not, their loss was heavy, and ears
almost nothing.
At Dalton the great numerical superiority of
the enemy made the chances of battle much
against us, and, even if beaten, they had a safe
refuge behind the fortified pass of Ringgold,
and in the fortress of Chattanooga. Our refuge,
in case of defeat, was iu Atlanta, one hundred
miles off, with three rivers intervening. There
fore, victory for us would not havebeon decisive,
while defeat would have been utterly disastrous.
Between Dalton and the Chattahoochee, we
could have given battld only by attacking the
enemy intrenched, or so near intrenchments that
the only result would have been his falling
back into them; while defeat would have been
our ruin. In the course pursued, our troops
always fighting under cover, had very trifling
losses, compared with those they inflicted ; so
that the enemy s numerical superiority was re
duced daily and rapidly, and we could reasona
bly have expected to cope with the Federal army
on equal ground by the time the Chattahoochee
was passed. Defeat on this side of the river
would hare been its destruction. We, if beaten,
had a place of refuge in Atlanta too strong to
be assaulted, and too extensive to be in
vested.
I had hoped, also, that by the breaking es the
railroad in its rear the Federal army might be
compelled to attack us in a position of our own
choosing, or to a retrea^ easily converted into a
rout. After we crossed the Etowah five detach
ments of cavalry were successively sent, with ins
structions to destroy as much as they could of the
railroad between Dalton and the Etowah. All
failed because too weak. We could never spare a
sufficient body of cavalry for this service, as its
assistance was absolutely necessary in the de
fence of every position we occupied. Captain
Harvey, an officer of great courage and sagacity,
was detached on this service, with one hundred
men, on the 11th of June, and remained f®r
several weeks near the railread, frequently inter
rupting, although not strong enough to prevent
its use.
Early in the campaign the stataments of the
strength ot the cavalry in the department of
Mississippi and East Louisiana, given me by
Lieutenant General Polk, just from the command
of that department, and by telegraphic corre
respondence with his successor, Lieut. Gen. S. D.
Lee, gave me reason to hope that a competent
force could be sent from Mississippi and Alabama,
to prevent the use of the railroad by the United
States army. I therefore suggested it to the
President directly, on the 13th of June, and lfith
July, and through General Bragg on the 3oth,
12th, 13th, 16th, and 26th of June; and also to
Lieut. Gen. Lee on the 10th May, and 3d, 11th,
and 16th June. I did so in the belief that this
cavalry would sferve the Confederacy better by
causing the defeat of Maj. Gen. Sherman’s army
than by repelling a raid iu Mississippi.
Besides the causes of my removal, alleged in the
telegram announcing it, various other accusations
have been made against me—some published in
newspapers in such a manner as to appear to have
official authority, and others circulated orally in
Georgia and Alabama, and imputed to Ge a. Bragg.
The principal are, that I persistently disregarded
the instructions of the President, that I would not
fight the enemy; that I refused to defend Atlanta ;
that I refused to communicate jwith Gen. Bragg in
relation to the operations of the army; that I dis
regarded his entreaties to change my course and at
tack the enemy; and gross exaggerations of the
losses of the army.
I had not the advantage of receiving the Presi
dent’s instructions in relation to the manner of con
ducting the campaign. But as the conduct of my
predecessor, in retreating before odds lessthan those
confronting me, has apparently been approved; and
as Gen. Lee, in keeping on the defensive and re
treating towards Grant’s objective point, under cir
cumstances like mine, was adding to his great fame,
both in the estimation of the administration and
people, I supposed that my course would not be cen
sured. I believed then, as Ido now, that it was the
only one atlmy command which promised success.
I think that the foregoing narrative shows that
the army of Tennessee did fight, and with at least as
much effect as it has ever done before.
The proofs that I intended to hold Atlanta are the
fact that under my orders the work of strengthen
ing its defences was going on vigorously, the com
munication on the subject made by me to Gen. Hood
and the fact that my family was in the town. That
the public workshops Iwere removed and no large
supplies deposited in the town, as alleged by Gen.
Bragg, were measures of common prudence, and no
more indicated the intention to abandon the place,
than the sending the wagons of an army to the rear,
on a day of battle, proves a foregone determination
to abandon the field,
While Gen. Bragg was at Atlanta, about the mid
dle of July, we had no other conversation concern -
ing the army there than such_ as _I introduced. He
ashed me no questions regarding its operation t, past
or future; made no comments upon them, nor sug
gestions. and had not the slightest reason to suppose
that Atlanta would not be defended. He told me
that the object of his journey was to confer with
Lieut. Gen. Lee. and communicate with Gen. E. K.
Smith, in relation to reinforcements for me. He
talked much more of affairs in Virginia than in
Georgia, asserting, what I believed, that Sherman’s
army outnumbered Grant’s, and impressed me with
the belief that his visits to me were unofficial.
A copy of a brief report by Gen. Hood accompa
nies this.
Most respectfully,
Tour obedient servant,
J. E. JOHNSTON, General.
Fresh Garden Seeds,
THE GROWTH OF 1864.
Great Collard,
Late Tennessee Cabbage.
Cashaw Squash,
Yellow Crook-neck Summer bquash.
Double Curled Parsley,
Asparagus Kale,
Cuba Tobacco,
Dwarf Okra,
Green Head Lettuce,
Round Spinach,
Green Nutmeg Melon,
The above seeds were raised by Mr. Charles A.
Peabody, and are offered at wholesale and retail at
114 BP.OAD STREET.
mar 4 7t
TELEGRAPHIC.
REPORTS OF THE PRESS ASSOCIATION.
Entered according to act of Congress in the year
1863, by J. S. Thrasher, in the Clerk’s office of
the District Court of the Confederate States for
the Northern District of Georgia.
Augusta, March 4. — Richmond, Feb. 16.
The House passed several Senate bills, in
cluding a bill to provide penally for tbe non
delivery of tithes due for 1864, and a bill ex
empting maple sugar from tithe.
February 22d.—The Seuate passed a bill to
more effectually prevent and punish absentees
and deserters from the army.
The House received a message from the
President in response to a resolution of inqui
ry, enclosing a telegram from Gen. Hardee,
relative to the failure to destroy the cotton at
Savannah. Hardee stated that the cotton was
stored in cellars and garrets, and its destruc
tion would have enveloped the city.
A special to the Savannah Herald dated
February 19th, says: Geu. Hardee evacuated
Charleston Friday night, after spiking the
guns of the batteries and destroying a portion
of the ammunition. All the iron clads and
gunboats in the harbor were blown up and
the steamboats and blockade runners scultled
anu sunk, but will be easily raised. Nearly
all the cotton was burned. The large Central
depot, with 2,000 bales, was fired, and over
100 kegs of powder in it exploded, killing and
wounding over 100 people. More than 200
heavy guns and a large amount of ammuni
tion left.
A dispatch from Richmond, dated Feb. 22dj
says Admiral Buchanan arrived in that city
on the afternoon truce boat. The exchange
of prisoners was progressing rapidly. Roger
A. Pryor has been released, on parole, from
Fort Warren. Vilmington is a point for the
exchange of prisoners.
Gold in New York, 202.
Gov. Hicks, of Maryland, died ol paralysis,
in Washington, Feb: 15th.
The Yankee debt, up to February 15th, as
announced to Congress, is $2,200,000,000.
General orders, No. 6, 2d paragraph, from
the adjutant and inspector general, assigns
Gen. Pillow as commissary general to prison
ers, and orders him to that duty immediately.
The 4th paragraph orders that the mechanics
of arsenals, ordnance department, employed
in armories, arsenals and depots, on monthly
muster roll Dec. 81, 1864, shall not be inter
fered with by enrolling officers, whether their
details are renewed or not; provided, that
details have been applied for, and a certificate
from the commanding officer of the depot ac
cepted as evidence of tbe fact of application
for renewal having been made. Orders 65,
inviting deserters from the enemy, are to be
printed in English, French, Spanish and Ger
man. Orders 7, dated Feb, 16th, provides
that meritorious officers, whether resigned or
disabled, shall be restored to former rank, if
desired, and half pay then commence j full,
pay when assigned to ty etired officc? a
on invalid fcorpg, same provisions.
Senatobia, March 2. — A New York telegram
says French papers confirm the report of the
steam ram Olinde recently off the coast of
France is a Confederate cruiser. A large
number of cases and barrels have been trans
ferred to her from English steamers.
Senatobia, March Ist.—Northern papers of
the 27th received. Gen. Gilmore sends an
official dispatch to Gen. Halleck, dated Charl
eston 28th, announcing the capture of that
city with 200 cannon and a supply of fine am
munition. He says the cotton warehouses'
arsenal, quartermaster stores, railroad bridges
and two iron clads were burned by the rebels, j
and that all the inhabitants remaining behind !
belong to the poorer classes.
The capture of Fort Anderson, N. C., is also !
announced.
The New York Tribune's Washington special
correspondent says it is estimated that the fall
of Charleston and Fort Anderson, with the
certain capture of Mobile, will liberate 25,000
men from the navy, who can be put in the
army.
Stanton telegraphs to Gen. Dix on the 24th
announcing the capture of Wilmington.
The British Parliament was opened by the
royal commission on the 7th of February.
The Queen’s speech said her majesty remains
steadfastly neutral between the contending
parties in America, and would rejoice at a
friendly reconciliation.
The Confederate loan on the Bth of February
ranged at 55 to 57.
The following is a summary of northern tel
graphic news:
A Cincinnati dispatch of the 23d says the
Kentucky House of Representatives rejected
the proposed amendment to the Federal Con
stitution by twenty-four majority.
The New York Chamber of Commerce unan
imously passed a resolution asking the Gov
ernment to send Gen. Anderson in a national
ship to hoist over fort Sumter the flag lowered
in 18G1.
A Washington telegram says that advices
from France show the reported cession of
Sonora by Maximillian to France to be without
foundation, and indicate that the relations
between France and the United States are not
likely to undergo any disturbance.
The New Orleans Times of the 21st says it
was rumored in Matamoras on the 10th that
the U. S. Consul had been expelled from the
city and that no more clearances would be
given for U. S. vessels from that city by the
imperial authorities.
A New York special to the Boston Post says
the President ordered the release of Roger A.
Pryor from Fort Warren on parole. He is to
report to Forney, at Washington.
A Cairo despatch to the Cincinnati Com- :
mercial says the steamers Mercury, Gooseback
and Dove were attacked by Guerillas on the
13th near Helena, Ark. The latter was cap
tured with one regiment on board. Col. Leon, j
commanding regiment, was killed.
The New Orleans Bee denies the report that
General Canbv had given notice of his inten
tion to retaliate on Mexican officers for all
Texas refugees returned to Confederate au
thorities.
A Washington special to tae Philadelphia
Press of the 23d, reports that Lee had at
tacked Grant and defeated him.
Mobil*. March 4th.—Mobile is strongly
I menaced. General Maury has issued a circu
, lar advising the people to prepare for it, and
urge? tli non-combatants to leave. The ex
| change commissioners, yesterday evening,
i received information of the arrival in the Bay
of a large number of prisoners from Ship Is
land and New Orleans. They are expected up
i to-day. Major Corel! will effect such arrange
ments as will embrace all prisoners captured
in this department.
Macon, March 4 -The Ho ji- idnp •,<
a resolution requesting Congrcj- to reoea, ~-,<•
Conscript Law and accept men from the States
under officers of their own choosing Yeas
61, nays 46.
From the Chronido A Sentinel, March 2d
Latest from South Carolina.
We are informed by a gentleman from Columfe' j
that during th visit of the Y ankees there, a man
named Morris, who was confined in jail for kilim-'
». B. Hicks, an E xpress Messenger, made his escape'
and after setting fire to several stores and residence*
3t ?), e a l >a H of fine horses and carriages, and went ri
with the Yankees.
The people of the city are reported to he n.t ontv
destitute of food, but likewise of clothing.
From a gentleman who left Orangeburg. S. C
Feb. 26th, we gather the annexed news.
Sherman’s troops were thirty-six hour' in pa'sme
through the place.
All the horses, mules and wagons in Orangeburg
and vicinity were carried off.
Most of the provisions in the country round the
place were taken by the enemy.
All the business portion of Orangeburg and all
the unoccupied houses were burned. All the churches
were unharmed.
Sherman was the first man thai crossed the Edisn
river. When at Orangoburg, his headquarters were
at Judge Glover’s.
Some of the negroes in that section of South Car
olina left with the Yankees, but have since re
turned.
The country this side of Orangeburg, through
whmh the enemy passed, is laid waste. There is
much suffering among the residents. Large num
bers of dead horses aro lying by the roadside.—
Nearly all the barns are burned; also many dwel
ings.
The Edgefield Advertiser gives some particular
of the doiDgs of the Yankee army at Columbia. la
some respects they differ from reports already re
ceived. We gather the following news from tin
Advertiser’s columns :
Gen. Beauregard had about eleven thousand ' ■ n
federate troops with him in the city when hi va >:
ated it. Sherman had between sixty-five and sev
enty-five thousand men with him; they were we t
equipped and well clothrd.
There were no negro soldiers in the Yankee armv
except in the pioneer corps.
Tho Advertiser’s informant says the town was fired
by the Yankee troops, aud that three-fourths of ■
is now in ruins.
Among the public buildings bnrned are the Arse
nal, the Armory, the Lvthersui Church, the Wash
ington Street Methodist Church, the old BaptU
Church, Christ Church, (Episcopal,) the Roman
Catholic Convent, the Ladies’ Hospital, the Way
side Home, and all the hotels.
Very many elegant residences in the blocks adjoin
ing Main street were also burned. Among them
were those of Chancellor Carroll, Dr. Gibbes, Dr.
Trazevadt, Judge DeSaussure, Col. Clarkson, Major
Stark, Capt. Senn, Dr. Boatwright, and a vast num
her of others.
i The South Carolina College was not burned, no>
; any building connected with it. The Methodist
Female College was not burned. Sherman made
his headquarters in the elegant residence of the lata
Mrs. Hampton; it was not burned.
The train which was conveying off the Yankee
prisoners lately confined in Columbia, is said to have
been overtaken by Sherman, the prisoners recap
tured, and Capt. Senn, Confederate officer in charge
of them, killed.
The Advertiser’s informant says that the Yankee
soldiers behaved with the greatest brutality and
ferocity during the occupation; many ladies who
rushed from their burning houses, carrying in their
arms clothes and valuables of different kinds, had
these snatched away from them and tossed back into
the flames.
All houses not consumed by fire were entered and
ruthlessly robbed.
Vast quantities of valuable furniture, china, glas.*,
&c*, were wantonly smashed and destroyed.
AUCTION SALES.
By Ellis, Livingston & Cos.
Guardian Sale.
j AN the first Tuesday in April next, I will sell in
‘ * * the City of Columbus, in front of the auction
store of Ellis, Livingston & Cos., a negro MAN
named Hamilton, about 23 years old, belonging to
the orphans of Chas. Evens, dee’d. by order of the
Court of Ordinary of Muscogee county.
r M. WOODRUFF,
fob 2S wtds $36 Guardian
j By jEllis, Livingston & Cos,
ADMINISTRATOR’S SALE.
ON Tuesday, 7th March uext, at 11 o’clock,
I will sell, in the city of Columbus, in
front of Ellis, Livingston & Co’s Auction Store,
Hie very Desirable Residence,
near the Court House, lately occupied by Col. Ten
nille. A large and commodious dwelling house, good
out-houses, fine well of water, and one acre ground,
attached.
Also, a desirable lot Furniture, embracing nearly
every article wanted in house-keeping.
Sold as the property of Mrs- L. M. Tennillo, dec’d,
Terms cash. Possession given immediately.
Persons holding claims against the estate of Mrs.
LucyM. Tennille. dec’d, also Wra. T. Patterson,
dec’d, will hand them to S. D. Betton, at Walker
Hospital, by the sth of March.
fab 19 sll9 D. MORRIS, AJm'r,
SALES MONDAY.
BY MYERS, WATSON & CO.,
- + ♦
WILL sell on Monday, March 6th, in front
of our store, at 11 o’clock,
1 Heavy Silver Plated Wine Castor,
1 “ “ “ lee Pitcher.
3 “ “ Cake Baskets,
1 “ “ “ Castor.
4 pair Candlesticks.
1 mar 4 sl2
BY MYERS, WATSON & CO.,
— • mm
AN MONDAY. MARCH 6th, 1865, in front of our
U Store, at 11 o’clock, we will sell,
1500 lbs, Choice N. O. Sugar, in 100 lb.
Bags.
| 3 bbls Choice Florida Cane Syrup,
| 1 bbl. Sorghum,
i 2 bbls Common Sugar,
j 1 box “ “
! 22 Sacks Florida Salt,
| 25 Sacks Ground Peas,
18 Boxes Manufactured Tobacco.
28 Caddies “ a
1 Box Florida Leaf Tobbacco,
.2 Boxes Starch,
| 4000 Envelopes,
; One and a half dozen Axes,
1 Steel Circular Saw, (old, large size.)
j 15 Upright Cast Steel Saws, (old)
1 Cooking Stove,
’ One and a half dozen China Plates, Sugar
Bowl, Butter Dish, etc.
; 3 bbls Splendid Writing Ink.
j Lot of Shoes, Clothing, Hardware,
Gold and Silver Watches, Bracelets, an J
j a variety of other articles,
mar 4 S3O
TEH PER I VCE IIA EE!
MISS JENNIE KEMBLE
AXD
MARSHALL,
AS3ISTED BY
Messrs. Geo. Caulfield, W. Wal
lace Hale, Chas. Stevenson,
and E. W r . Biance,
WILL GIVE
THO EXTERT AI \ M ENTS
AT TEMPERANCE HALL ,
Commencing MONDAY EVENING, MARCH
on which occasion will be presented the
laughable farce of
J E 3ST 3ST 'ST LIND!
Also, the burlesque of
DAIION AND PYTHIAS!
To be followed by
Songs, Dances, Ac., Ac.
#5“ For further particular?, see programme, “it*
mar 5 It
HarshaPT'Salc:
WILL be sold before the Court House door
in the city of Columbus, Da., on the
fir-* in April. 1865, between the usupl hours
of'sale an go” woman named sILVEY. levied on
as the property of F. M. Doles, to satiety a tax fi. i*.
in favor of the city of Columbus. £»* L LTE I '.
mar 5 if “karLo!.