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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!.