Charlotte, N. C., February 25, 1865
| |
| General R. E. Lee |
| |
| General, |
| Your order to me to concentrate all
available forces and drive back Sherman implies, of course, that you
regard those forces as adequate to the object and their
concentration in time practicable. In my reply by telegraph on the
22d the opposite opinion is expressed. Fuller information obtained
since confirms me in that opinion. The Federal army is within the
triangle formed by the three bodies of our infantry. It can,
therefore, prevent their concentration or compel them to unite in
its rear by keeping on its way without loss of time. It is estimated
at 40,000, and was at last accounts crossing the Wateree east of
Winnsborough, as if moving upon Fayetteville. The available forces
are Hardee's troops arriving at Cheraw by railroad and estimated by
General Beauregard at 12,000. I believe that several thousand are
South Carolina militia and reserves, who will not go beyond Cheraw;
Lee's corps, Army of Tennessee, near Charlotte; Stewart's corps,
Army of Tennessee, 1,200; Cheatham's corps, Army of Tennessee,
1,900. The two latter when last heard of were near Newberry. These
troops, except Hardee's, have only the means of transporting cooking
utensils, and, therefore, cannot operate far from railroads. The
cavalry, under Lieutenant-General Hampton, amounts to about 6,000.
In my opinion these troops form an army too weak to cope with
Sherman. Having expressed the opinion that your order could not be
executed with the means at my disposal, I have thought it my duty to
give a fuller statement in support of that opinion than that
contained in a brief telegram. If our troops and those of General
Bragg could be united in time the progress of Sherman's army might
be stopped, otherwise it may unite with that of Schofield. This
junction of our forces might be made near Fayetteville. |
| Most respectfully, your obedient servant, |
| J. E. Johnston |
| General |
|