J. P. Benjamin to [To General A. SIDNEY JOHNSTON ?], March 11, 1862

Richmond, March 11, 1862.

General A. SIDNEY JOHNSTON, Decatur, Ala. :

Sig: I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your dispatches through Major Liddell. The reports of Brigadier-Generals Floyd and Pillow are unsatisfactory, and the President directs that both these generals be relieved from command till further orders. In the mean – time you will request them to add to their reports such statements as they may deem proper on the following points :

1st. The failure to give timely notice of the insufficiency of the garrison of Fort Donelson to repel attack.

2d. The failure of any attempt to save the army by evacuating the post when found to be untenable.

3d. Why they abandoned the command to their inferior officer, instead of executing themselves whatever measure was deemed proper for the entire army.

4th. What was the precise mode i which each effected his escape from the fort and what dangers were encountered in the retreat.

5th. Upon what principle a selection was made of particular troops, being certain regiments of the senior general’s brigade, to whose use all the transportation on hand was appropriated. E.

6th. A particular designation of the regiments saved and the regiments abandoned which formed part of the senior generals brigade. — CAPTURE OF FORT DONELSON, “ENN. 259

— In addition to the foregoing, you are requested to direct Eran — Bushrod R. Johnson to make a full and detailed report as TE. p” ES ossihlo; also to require a like report of Colonel Forrest, and to ask Colonel Forrest to detail partieularly in his report the time and manner of his eseape, the road he took, the number of enemies he met or saw in making his escape, the difficulties, if any, which existed to prevent the — . remainder of the army from following the route taken by himself in his escape with his command. d You are further requested to make up a report from all the sources of information accessible to you of all the particulars connected with the unfortunate affair which can contribute to enlighten the judgment of the . Executive and of Congress, and to fix the blame, if blame there be, on those who were delinquent in duty. q lam;

your obedient servant, ;

Secretary of War.
b . RICHMOND, VA., March 12, 1862.
[To General A. SIDNEY JOHNSTON ?]
My DEAR GENERAL: The departure of Captain Wickliffe offers an
. opportunity of which I avail myself to write you an unofficial letter.
— We have suffered great anxiety because of recent events in Kentucky
and Tennessee, and I have been not a little disturbed by the repetition