March 3, 1862

March 3, 1862

Letter from Joseph Eggleston Johnston to Jefferson Finis Davis, March 3, 1862
Headquarters, Centreville,

March 3, 1862.

His Excellency.

Mr. President: I respectfully submit three notes from Major-General Jackson, and one from Brigadier-General Hill, for the information they contain of the enemy.

Your orders for moving cannot be executed now, on account of the condition of the roads and streams. The removal of public property goes on with painful slowness, because, as the officers employed in it report, a sufficient number of cars and engines cannot be had. It is evident that a large quantity of it must be sacrificed, or your instructions
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not observed. I shall adhere to them as closely as possible. In conversation with you, and before the cabinet, I did not exaggerate the difficulties of marching in this region. The suffering and sickness which would be produced can hardly be exaggerated.

Most respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

J. E. Johnston, General.