tion. Railroad do not transport sufficient. I apply for Major Whitfield, now in Mississippi, for that service.

J. E. JOHNSTON.

[32.]

RICHMOND, VA., January 12, 1864.

General L. POLK,

Meridian, Miss.:

Your dispatch of the 10th instant received.* General Johnston will no doubt be now able to return the two brigades last sent to Tennessee Keep in communication with him.

JEFFERSON DAVIS.

[32.]

RICHMOND, VA., January 13, 1864.

General J. E. JOHNSTON,

Dalton, Ga.:

Your dispatch of the 12th instant received.+ The railroad is under the control of the State, and subject to its regulations. As the falling back of the army would be so seriously detrimental, both from military and political considerations, I trust you will not deem it necessary to adopt such a measure, at least until you have consulted with the Governor of Georgia toa scertain if the difficulties you speak of cannot be removed.++

JEFFERSON DAVIS.

[32.]

RICHMOND, VA., January 13, 1864.

General W. H. T. WALKER,

Army of Tennessee, Dalton, Ga.:

GENERAL: I have received your letter, @ with its inclosure, informing me of the propositions submitted to a meeting of the general officers on the 2nd instant, and thank you for the information. Deeming it to be injurious to the public service that such asubject should be mooted, or even known to be entertained by persons possessed of the confidence and respect of the people, I have concluded that the best policy under the circumstances will be to avoid all publicity, and the Secretary of War has therefore written to General Johnston requesting him to convey to those concerned my desire that it should be kept private. If it be kept out of the public journals its ill effect will be much lessened.

Very respectfully and truly, yours,

JEFFERSON DAVIS.

[32.]

DALTON, January 13, 1864.

General BEAUREGARD:

MY DEAR GENERAL: Your son sent me your letter, and with it the copy of that to M. Soule, for which I thank you conrdially.# The principles you lay down in that leter are incontrovertible, and the general plan of operations you suggest would be a true application of those

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*See VOL. XXXII, Part II, p. 542.

+See VOL. XXXII, Part II, p. 549.

++For reply, see ibid., p. 552.

@See January 12, p. 595.

#Letter to Johnston not found. For Beauregard to Soule, see VOL. XXXI, Part III, p. 812.

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