Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 12.djvu/115

 Memoir of General John Bankhead Mcujruder. 105

Below appears the following addition in the same hand as the sig- nature, which is different from the body of the communication, and I presume is made by General Bragg himself: C. R. B.

"My own money all in Confed, paper, and very limited.

"B. B."

Chester, 27 Ap'l. Gen. York, — Forward following dispatch by courier to Gen'l Breckinridge.

(Sig.) Wm. Preston Johnston.

Hon. J. C. Breckinridge, Company Shops, — Some time ago I notified Gen'l Johnston not to include me in any surrender. You gave me orders to move on (25th). In return I find army surren- dered. Think I am free- What is your decision? Answer here and Greensboro.

Wade Hampton, Lt. Gen'l.

This is in my father's hand-writing : C. R. B.

Love's Ford, Broad River, Ap'l 2Sth, 1865. Lt. Gen. Wade Hampton, Greensboro, Lexington, Salisbury, or any other point on line, — Your dispatches of 27th rec'd. The verbal directions to you contemplated your meeting Gen. Johnston, and his action before any convention with enemy. If my letter to him of 25th, which you carried, was not rec'd before completion of terms, the Gov't, with its imperfect knowledge of the facts, cannot interfere as to the body of the troops ; but, in regard to yourself, if not pres- ent nor consenting, it is the opinion of the Government that you, and others in like condition, are free to come out.

John C. Breckinridge, Sec. of War.

Memoir of General John Bankhead Magruder.

By General A. L. Long.

As far back as 1848 the name of Colonel John Bankhead Magru- der became familiar to me through the press. He had just returned from Mexico crowned with honor fairly won in the brilliant cam- paigns of General Scott. But it was not until 1851 that I became personally acquainted with him. He was then in command of Fort