“My dear Wigfall:
“I see in the newspapers reports of resolutions of what is called the Mississippi campaign. One of them calling for the correspondence connected with it.
“Let me suggest that the campaign really commenced in the beginning of December, 1862—and that my connection with it dates from November 24th of that year—the day on which I was assigned to supervision of Bragg’s, Pemberton’s and Kirby Smith’s Commands. If investigation is made it should include that time, to make it complete. Or if correspondence or papers are called for begin with the order of November 24th just referred to. At that time we had the means of preventing the invasion of Mississippi and those means were pointed out by me in writing, as well as orally, to the Secretary of War in your presence. Such a publication would justify me fully in the opinions of all thinking men. It would show that while it was practicable I proposed the true system of warfare. That I could not go to Mississippi sooner than I did, and that I was ‘too late’ to repair the consequences of previous measures and never had the means of rescuing Vicksburg or its garrison.
“Very truly yours,
“J. E. JOHNSTON.”