Page:A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Confederacy, Including the Diplomatic Correspondence, 1861-1865, Volume I.djvu/238

208 House "a copy of the report of Gen. H. A. Wise, touching the fall of Roanoke Island, which was made by him to the Secretary of War, under date of the 21st February, 1862, if not inconsistent with the public interest." [Received April 1, 1862.]

 April 1, 1862. To the Hon. the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Sir: I herewith transmit to the House of Representatives a communication of the Secretary of the Navy, covering information sought by a resolution of the House requesting the President to communicate to the House what additional sums of money, if any, are in his judgment necessary to the Departments of War and Navy, in order to secure a successful prosecution of the war and effective defense of the Confederate States during the time for which Congress at its present session should make provision.

 To the Senate and House of Representatives of the Confederate States of America. The great importance of the news first received from Tennessee induces me to depart from established usage, and to make to you this communication in advance of official reports.

From telegraphic dispatches received from official sources, I am able to announce to you with entire confidence that it has pleased Almighty God to crown the Confederate arms with a glorious and decisive victory over our invaders.

On the morning of the 6th inst., the converging columns of our army were combined by its commander in chief, Gen. A. S. Johnston, in an assault on the Federal army, then encamped near Pittsburg, on the Tennessee River. After a hard-fought battle of ten hours, the enemy was driven in disorder from his position and pursued to the Tennessee River, where, under cover of his gunboats, he was, at the last accounts, endeavoring to effect his retreat by aid of his transports.

The details of this great battle are yet too few and incomplete to enable me to distinguish with merited praise all of those who may have conspicuously earned the right to such distinction; and 