“CHATTANOOGA,
“Dec. 4th, 1862.
“My dear Wigfall:
“After a perilous journey, I arrived a little after twelve last night, having been delayed by three railroad accidents. A telegram from the Ad. Genl. urges me, in the name of the President, to reinforce Pemberton, who ‘has fallen back from his positions by advance of very superior force of the enemy’ with ‘a sufficient force of Genl. Bragg’s command.’ ‘Genl. Holmes has been peremptorily ordered to reinforce him—but his troops may be too late,’ I am told. Genl. Pemberton in falling back, moves towards Vicksburg, where Holmes must cross the river—every step he makes, therefore, brings him nearer to his reinforcements. But as this march is in a direction exactly away from Bragg, and the enemy’s army is between, every day’s march makes a junction of the latter with Pemberton more difficult. I proposed the order to Holmes more than two weeks ago. Had it been given then, his troops would now be near Vicksburg, and we should be secure of our possession of the Mississippi. As matters now are, the enemy being between our armies, and probably superior to any one of them, their junction must be difficult—impossible, if his troops are well directed. I have not had time yet to learn if the movement of Bragg’s troops is practicable, and if so, what time will be necessary for it, nor what Pemberton’s force is, nor that of the enemy—nor where he is—nor in what direction he proposes to move. Under such circumstances a much wiser man, than any I know, might fail to plan wisely. The thing to be done is to urge Holmes to expedition. Do tell the Secretary of War to do so.
“The President does not consider, in estimating the time Bragg’s movement may require, what an obstacle the Tennessee is. Nor that Vicksburg at least, will secure Holmes’s junction.
“Nobody ever assumed a command under more unfavorable circumstances. If Rosecranz had disposed our troops himself, their disposition could not have been more unfavorable for us.
“My suggestion to the President, referred to above, was to unite the troops of Pemberton and Holmes and attack Grant. It was about the 15th ulto. Genls. Cooper and G. W. Smith were present.
“I shall join Bragg at Tullahoma tomorrow; the railroad arrangements make it impracticable sooner. All the information necessary to me is still to be gained.
“Mrs. J. sends cordial regards to Mrs. Wigfall and yourself.
“Very truly yours,
“J. E. JOHNSTON.
“GENL. WIGFALL,
“C. S. Senate.”