Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 21.djvu/327

 General Joseph E. Johnston's Campaign m Georgia. 319

I pointed to General Lee's two unsuccessful invasions as proof that 1 could not succeed in such warfare, and evidence that the Confede- racy was too weak for it. Certainly, that was neither criticism nor condemnation. It was simply saying that General Lee's failures proved the weakness of the Confederacy. That where he failed, I could not be expected to succeed.

Yours truly,

[ Si g ned ] J. E. JOHNSTON.

To Charles G. Johnson, Esq.

SAVANNAH, GA., June 19, 1874. Charles G. Johnson, Esq:

MY DEAR SIR I have attempted the sketch you asked for in your friendly note of the i6th. I assure you that the evidences of your friendship are in the highest degree gratifying; for I love of all things the favorable opinion and friendly feelings of the class to which you belong the men with whom I stood in battle.

Excuse this very rough sketch.* It is more than thirty years since my last effort of the kind.

The part of Hardee's left thrown back, is Bate's division. I think your battery was near the angle.

In the map in the book, the "country road," east of Cassville, is omitted. It is necessary to the understanding of the intended offen- sive movement.

The position sketched was taken in the afternoon for defence, the attack was intended near noon when Sherman was at Kingston, and Hardee near it. For it, Hood was to march by his right flank on the country road, east of and parallel to that to Adairsville. When his rear was opposite A, Polk was to move towards Adairsville, in order of battle, until he met the enemy, when he became engaged, Hood was to face to the left and take the Federals in flank. Before the time came to order General Polk forward, General Hood, moving towards Adairsville on the country road, upon a wild report, turned back, and formed his corps on the line marked B. This frustrated the design of attacking, and put us on the defensive.

In the discussion at night between Generals Hood, Polk and myself, the question was only of holding the position sketched. The


 * The diagram was given in the Picayune.