"Richmond, Va., May 1st, 1861.
"General Joseph E. Johnston,
"Yorktown, Va.
"Accepting your conclusion that you must soon retire, arrangements
are commenced for the abandonment of the navy yard and removal of
public property from Norfolk and the Peninsula.
"Your announcement to-day that you would withdraw to-morrow night,
takes us by surprise and must involve enormous losses, including
unfinished gunboats. Will the safety of your army allow more time?
"Jefferson Davis."
Johnston had retreated from his base at Manassas with absurd haste,
burning enormous stores and supplies of which the Confederacy was in
desperate need. The losses now occasioned by his hasty withdrawal from
Yorktown were even more serious.
The destruction of the iron-clad which had smashed the Federal fleet in
Hampton Roads sent a shiver of horror throughout the South.
* * * * *
The fiery trial through which Davis was passing brought out the finest
traits of his strong character.
He had received ample warning that one of the first places marked for
destruction by the Federal fleet passing up the Mississippi River was
his home "Briarfield." He refused to send troops to defend it.
Pages:
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406