G. W. Randolph to Cnar. XVIL] CAPTURE OF FORT DONELSON, TENN. 305, March 26, 1862

Richmond, Va., March 26, 1862.

SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your supplemental report of the battle and surrender of Fort Donelson and of your answer to the various points indicated in the letter of the Secretary of War to General A. S. Johnston, together with the several statements of staff officers and the statement of Colonel Forrest appended thereto.

As the commanding general of the department has not yet made his report nor forwarded any communication to this Department, and as Generals Floyd and B. R. Johnson bave not yet been heard from, you will readily perceive that it is impossible that the President should now take any action in a matter which so deeply concerns others as well as yourself.

I have therefore the honor to inform you that es Government still keeps its judgment suspended on the entire subject until all information necessary for forming a considerate decision shall have been received.

very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Secretary of War.

OXFORD, Miss., May 15,

Secretary of War, Richmond, Va.:

I had expected the decision of the President on the case in which I

was suspended from command at an earlier day, and I had hoped that