Confederate General Joseph Johnston’s retreat to the Chattahoochee River compelled President Jefferson Davis on July 7, 1864 to write Johnston that he was very “apprehensive for the future.” Sherman’s advance toward Atlanta had once again forced Johnston’s defenders into retreat. In his letter to Johnston Davis stated that he was fearful of Johnston having the Chattahoochee River to his back but agreed with his general that attempting to cross the river would give Sherman too much of an opportunity to attack and destroy the Confederate army. Davis’ words scarcely could be taken as an endorsement of Johnston’s actions; the Confederate president also wrote in his letter that he could send Johnston no further reinforcements. In fact, in approximately a week Davis would replace Johnston as his commander in Georgia.
00000174-b11b-ddc3-a1fc-bfdbb1a20000The Schreiner University Department of History is honoring the sesquicentennial of the American Civil War with a series of short vignettes focusing on events from 1861 through 1865. The Civil War was the most destructive conflict in American history, but it was also one of our most defining moments as a people and as a nation. Let us know what you think about "This Week in the Civil War." E-mail your comments to Dr. John Huddleston at jhuddles@schreiner.edu.Airs: Weekdays at 5:19 a.m., 8:19 a.m., 4:19 p.m. on KTXI and 4:49 a.m., 9:29 p.m. on KSTX.