[Communicated.]
Johnston and Hood — facts.
Hardee was not overslaughed by the appointment of Hood to the command of the army in North Georgia.
Hardee had already, on a former occasion, declined the command, for reasons which do him infinite credit, viz: a sincere distrust of his own abilities.
Hood has always done his work well in what position soever he has been placed.
That is much to start with.
He may not do as well as the military editor at the foot of Capitol Square; nevertheless, he will do the best he can, and that is some thing. The candid reader should guard another point: The enemy crossed the greater part of his force over the Chattahoochee simultaneously with Johnston, on the 9th inst., and immediately entrenched himself. This fact was suppressed at the time by our wise authorities here. Now that the presence of the enemy on the east side of the river is becoming known, the public are left to infer that he crossed after Hood took command; whereas the truth is he crossed a week before, without an effort being made to prevent him.
Bragg had no more to do with the retreat or removal of Johnston than the man in the moon. He is Johnston's friend, though it is known that he wished Johnston to fight, and not retreat.
It is believed that Longstreet would have been appointed Johnston's successor but for his wound, from the neuralgic effects of which he is still suffering.
In conclusion, the President was reduced to the alternative of retaining Johnston and losing Atlanta, or losing Johnston and the possibility of saving Atlanta. He could not but be satisfied that Johnston had already made up his mind to abandon the place as untenable. If he did not fight Sherman at the Chattahoochee, would he have done so in the open country around Atlanta? Sherman could turn his position at Atlanta more easily than at Kennesaw. It may be, and I fear is, too late to save Atlanta; but do not place the blame upon the wrong shoulders. And especially do not say Johnston could not but retire because Forrest was not sent to him. Forrest was not idle in the West; he was beating back column after column of reinforcements going to Sherman. The order for him to move to Georgia was given, nevertheless; but before he could obey it, the enemy were again moving from Memphis to the support of Sherman, and it became necessary to fight him. Forrest has been assisting Johnston in Mississippi. He could have done no more in Georgia.
