February 23, 1864 (Wednesday): To Destroy Sherman

General Joseph Eggleston Johnston

RICHMOND, VA., February 23, 1864.
General J. E. JOHNSTON,
Dalton, Ga.:
     Your troops of this day received.+ General Beauregard has not sent troops to General Polk. He was called on to re-enforce you, and has indicated necessity for some delay. The re-enforcement you were called on to send General Polk was for immediate service. Promptitude, I have to repeat, is essential. To hesitate is to fail. General Longstreet quotes you as authority for the statement that the enemy is re-enforcing Knoxville from Chattanooga; if so, the demonstration in your front is probably a mask. To destroy Sherman will be the most immediate and important method of relieving you, and best secures the future supply of your army. Speedy success in Mississippi restores the forces you detached, and adds others to enable you to follow up the advantage.


    JEFFERSON DAVIS.



RICHMOND, VA., February 23, 1864.
General J. E. JOHNSTON,
Dalton, Ga.:
     Information just received from General Polk indicates that the re-enforcements you were directed to send him are too late. Recall those which have not passed Montgomery.


     JEFFERSON DAVIS.

+See VOL. XXXII, Part II, p. 798. 

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 52, Part 2, Page 627.

On the 14th Sherman had entered Meridian.  Polk's infantry divisions under Loring and French moved into North Alabama.  After several days of skirmishes, Sherman withdrew to central Mississippi.  Davis wanted Johnston to act promptly, with the intent of destroying Sherman's detached force.  But alacrity was not an attribute Johnston possessed.