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The Richmond Examiner Editorial by John M. Daniel

SEPTEMBER 5, 1864.

So much for the third removal of General Johnston. First, he was virtually removed by being deprived of power to direct his lieutenant, Pemberton ; and the cost of that gratification to the feelings of Mr. Davis was the army of Vicksburg. Next, he was superseded by Bragg; and the organization of the second army was destroyed at Missionary Ridge. Thirdly, after restoring it, he was removed at the very moment when his knowledge, skill and energy were indispensable to the success and even to the safety of the campaign ; superseded by Hood, a commander of division, notoriously incapable of managing any thing larger than a division. The result is disaster at Atlanta, in the very nick of time when such a victory alone could save the party of Lincoln from irretrievable ruin.

General Johnston is thought over-cautious; too reticent about his plans; disposed to be mysterious as to approaching events. He was removed because “he did not speak with entire coqfidence about holding Atlanta.” But results prove that if he was cautious in movement, and chary of promises, it was for good reasons. It is evident that, in each case, he knew where he was, what material he had in hand, and the best use to make of it. Whatever else may be said, it cannot be said that he ever lost an army, or any considerable body of troops, or incurred any disaster, or even disadvantage, that obscured our prospects for a moment. If any man has been so great a fool as to question his military capacity, his courage, or his earnest patriotism, certainly these events vindicate him. But alas! of what interest is that? of what importance is that? of what consideration is a single reputation, if the country must be lost to justify it? Who cares now whether Johnston was right, or Jeff Davis was right ?

Yet we must think of these things, for these are the causes which produce the effects. It is manifestly absurd to put up and pull down a commander in the field according to the crude views or peevish fancies of a functionary in Richmond. Such conduct of Government would paralyze the greatest military genius, ruin the oldest army, and render success in war absolutely impossible. Now, is it not hard, is it not cruelly hard, that the struggle of eight millions, who sacrifice their lives, sacrifice their money, who groan in the excess of exertion, who wrench every muscle till the blood starts with the sweat—should come to naught—should end in the ruin of us all—in order that the predilections and antipathies, the pitiful personal feelings, of a single man may be indulged?

With the scanty information at hand it is impossible to estimate, the late affair in Georgia. It is certain that At anta has been abandoned by our troops. We do not know whether the guns were left or not. The loss of the place is otherwise without material importance. As a military post it had no value whatever. It was once important as the junction of railroads, but has ceased to be so since the railroads to the North were lost. Sherman could not hold it a week if the Confederate army in the neighborhood was in proper hands. But the moral effect of its loss, though it may be temporary, will be great. It will render incalculable assistance to the party of Lincoln, and obscures the prospect of peace, late so bright. It may enable him to execute his draft. It will also diffuse gloom over the South. This depression, however, may be speedily relieved, if the administration has a grain of real sense or a spark of unselfish patriotism. The reinstatement of Johnston, or the appointment of Beauregard, would at once restore the confidence of the country and of the army; and the genius of either would soon prove Sherman’s advantage to be an illusion and an abortion. But the confidence either of the country or the army will scarcely survive the continuation of Hood in command, still less the reappearance of Bragg. It is easy to see the path of wisdom now; but it is difficult still to hope any thing wise, or magnanimous, or unselfish, from the administration.