Brandon, Dec. 14th, 1863.
My dear Wigfall:
I see in the newspapers reports of resolutions of what is
called the Mississippi campaign. One of them calling for the correspondence
connected with it.
Let me suggest that the campaign really commenced in the
beginning of December, 1862 — and that my connection with it dates from
November 24th of that year — the day on which I was assigned to supervision of
Bragg's, Pemberton's and Kirby Smith's Commands. If investigation is made it
should include that time, to make it complete. Or if correspondence or papers
are called for begin with the order of November 24th just referred to. At that
time we had the means of preventing the invasion of Mississippi and those means
were pointed out by me in writing, as well as orally, to the Secretary of War
in your presence. Such a publication would justify me fully in the opinions of
all thinking men. It would show that while it was practicable I proposed the
true system of warfare. That I could not go to Mississippi sooner than I did,
and that I was “too late” to repair the consequences of previous measures and
never had the means of rescuing Vicksburg or its garrison.
Very truly yours,
J. E. Johnston.
SOURCE: Louise Wigfall Wright, A Southern Girl in
’61, p. 161-2
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