Military Telegrams to President Davis & General Breckinridge
These well preserved telegrams were sent by Southern commanders. There are four telegrams written on a total of five Southern Telegraph Company forms, dated March 31, July 7, 9 and 13, 1863.
The March 31, 1863 telegram is a recommendation from George B. Wilkinson to President Davis to fill a vacancy on the Military Court. It is docketed as such on verso.
The July 7, 1863 telegram, written on both sides of the form, is from Joseph E. Johnston to Jefferson Davis and was sent from Sandy Creek Camp via Jackson, Mississippi. The message refers to an order issued June 30 transferring some troops from Bragg’s army to Johnston’s “without my knowledge & all of them without consulting me...” He seems to object to new limitations imposed on his authority, but thanks Davis for “your approval of the several recommendations you mention” Heavy corrections on recto have eaten into letters on verso and left several small holes, making it difficult to be certain about two or three words.
The July 9, 1863 telegram is also from Johnston to Davis. It reads: “The enemy is advancing in two columns on Jackson now about four miles distant. I shall endeavor to hold the place as the possession of Mississippi depends on it. His force is about double ours.” It is docketed and has two minor holes from ink burn-through. The July 17, 1863 telegram from Johnston to Davis is written on two forms. It reads: “Jackson was abandoned last night. The troops are now moving through this place to encamp to the east. Those officers who have seen the Vicksburg Troops think they cannot be kept together. Genl Pemberton thinks the best policy to furlough them by regiments.”
The final telegram in the group was sent by Johnston to Secretary of War John C. Breckinridge on April 5, 1865. It is written on "Richmond & Danville & Piedmont Railroad Telegraph" form. The Confederate capital had been abandoned a few days earlier. Davis and his cabinet moved to Danville. It was hoped that Gen. Lee could join forces with Gen. Johnston and stage a comeback. Here Johnston writes: "It is important that I should know the state of affairs in Virginia. Please give all the information you can of Genl. Lee." A pencil response reads: "Yr. dispatch to Sec. War rec'd. I have sent a column [?] to Genl Lee & hope to hear from him to-day. He was concentrating towards Amelia C. H. The enemy had reached Burksville Junction & were destroying R. R. We hear rumors of hard fighting... Your knowledge of Genl. Lee’s plans will enable you to inform future movements... If I receive anything which will be valuable to you it will be communicated... [signed] J.D.”