Joseph Eggleston Johnston to Jefferson Finis Davis

Joseph Eggleston Johnston to Jefferson Finis Davis

 Letter from Joseph Eggleston Johnston to Jefferson Finis Davis, February 25, 1862
Headquarters, Centreville,

February 25, 1862.

To his Excellency the President:

I respectfully inclose a copy of a report by Major-General Jackson.
[p. 483]

Brigadier-General Whiting informs me that Brigadier-General French and Captain Chatard think it impracticable to make the desired movement by water. I submit General French's letter on the subject. The land transportation would, it seems to me, require too much time and labor, even were the roads tolerable. They are not now practicable for our field artillery with their teams of four horses.

The army is crippled, and its discipline greatly impaired, by the want of general officers. The four regiments observing the fords of the lower Occoquan are commanded by a lieutenant-colonel, and a division and five brigades besides are without generals, and at least half the field-officers are absent -- generally sick.

The accumulation of subsistence stores at Manassas is now a great evil. The Commissary-General was requested, more than once, to suspend those supplies. A very extensive meat-packing establishment at Thoroughfare is also a great incumbrance. The great quantities of personal property in our camps is a still greater one. Much of both kinds of property must be sacrificed in the contemplated movement.

Most respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

J. E. Johnston, General.