Lot 573

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JEFFERSON DAVIS' MESSAGE TO CONGRESS EXPLAINING HIS FIRING OF GEN. JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON
Superb content A.Ms., 22pp. legal folio, Richmond , Feb. 11 & Mar 1, 1865, headed "Correct copies of a letter to [Mississippi Confederate Congressman] James Phelan of Miss... and a paper prepared for congress... These copies were made by me at the request of Col. Wm. Preston Johnston.", a contemporary copy of Jefferson Davis' lengthy explanation of his decision to remove Joseph E. Johnston from his command. The original letter was addressed to Col. James Phelan of Mississippi who had asked Davis for his rationale for removing Joseph E. Johnston from his command following his failure to halt the Union advance toward Atlanta. Following Atlanta's fall, a public clamor ensued demanding Johnston be reinstated. Davis acquiesced after Robert E. Lee requested the move. This copy, transcribed by secretary W.G. Howell includes Davis' cover letter to Phelan which notes: "...[I] do not see that I can answer it appropriately than by sending you the annexed copy of a paper which I had prepared for transmission to Congress. As it would however have been necessary, to accompany it if sent with a protest against any congressional interference with the Junction exclusively executive of assigning officers to command. I determined to withhold it rather than under existing circumstances send it to Congress, with such a protest, as I should have felt bound to make. The paper willfully explains my views and position in the matter. I may add that since the accompanying paper was written Genl. Lee has asked that Genl. Johnson should be ordered to report to him for duty and that I have complied with this with the hope that Genl. Johnston's soldierly qualities may be made serviceable to his country, when acting under Genl. Lee's orders, and, that in his new position those defects, which I found manifested by him when serving as an independent commander will be remedied by the control of the Genl in Chief..." Davis's message to the Confederate Congress, made on Feb. 18, 1865, reads, in very small part: "...At the commencement of this present war there were few persons in the Confederacy who entertained a more favorable opinion of Genl. Johnston as a soldier than I did. I knew him to be brave and well informed in his profession. I believed that he possessed with capacity for becoming a successful commander in the field.... it has recently been apparent that there exists in some quarters a purpose not simply to criticize the past, but to arraign me before the bar of public opinion and to compel me to do what my judgment and conscience disapprove or to destroy my power for usefulness, by undermining the confidence of my fellow citizens..." In defense of his position, Davis noted several instances where Johnston had ordered a retreat prematurely including Harper's Ferry and Yorktown as well as poor decision making in the Vicksburg campaign allowing the loss of that strategic city. After Vicksburg, "My confidence in Genl. Johnston['s] fitness for separate command was now destroyed. The proof was too complete to admit of longer doubt, that he was deficient in enterprise, tardy in movements, defective in preparing, and singularly neglected of the duty of preserving our means of supply, and transportation, although experience should have taught him their value and the difficulty of procuring them." Despite these reservations, Davis gave Johnston a new command to defend the approach to Atlanta, a decision that produced results all too familiar: "His course in abandoning a large extent of country abounding in supplies, and offering from its mountainous character admirable facilities for defense so disheartened and demoralized the Army that he himself announced by telegram large losses from straggling and desertion..." Much more fine content. Bound in marbled covers now detached, light toning and foxing, else very good condition. William Preston Johnston (1831-1899), who requested this copy be made, was the son of CSA Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston, served as an aide to Jefferson Davis and was captured with him on May 10, 1865.

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December 9, 2011 11:00 AM EST
Stamford, CT, US

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