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Are you not, however, mistaken as to where the message which you think induced J.'s change of direction reached him?
You say Murfreesboro.
My strong impression is, that as early as the night before we reached that point I was aware of the movement.
My impression was then, that the idea of uniting the Bowling Green forces with those of Columbus, for future operations, was yours, and by you impressed upon General J.; but I can give no proof that this was so.
I am afraid this will be to you an unsatisfactory letter, but it is all with which my memory supplies me.
Fully reciprocating your wish that we may meet and renew our old acquaintance,
I am, yours truly,
Extracts from a letter of ex-governor I. G. Harris, of Tennessee, to General Beauregard.
Dear Sir,— * * * * *
On the 20th or 21st, when I was prepared to return to Nashville, I received a telegram from you, asking me to come to Jackson to see you. I answered that I could not, as I would leave for Nashville within an hour or two.
You answered, urging me to take a special train to come to Jackson and see you, and then by special train intercept the Nashville train at Corinth.
This I did, and at Jackson had an interview of about an hour with you, in which you informed me that you were concentrating your whole command on the line of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, extending from Jackson to Corinth, the principal points of the concentration, according to my recollection, being Bethel Station and Corinth.
And you requested me to urge General A. S. Johnston to concentrate, as speedily as possible, the troops under his command at Corinth.
Being fully satisfied of the wisdom of this policy, I promised to do so. I intercepted the Nashville train that evening at Corinth, and reached Nashville early the next morning.
General Johnston being then in Murfreesboro, I remained in Nashville until the morning of the 22d or 23d of February, when I went to Murfreesboro, where I met General Johnston for the first time since the 16th.
I informed him fully as to the interview that I had with you at Jackson, and your suggestion of the importance of concentrating the two armies at or near Corinth, when General Johnston promptly answered that he was preparing, as rapidly as possible, to move the army under his command to or near Corinth, as he regarded it as important, if not absolutely necessary, that the troops commanded by you and himself should be concentrated in the country at or near Corinth.
* * * * * * *
Respectfully,
Dear General,—In reply to your letter asking my recollection of certain events that transpired in the early part and Spring of 1862, I submit the following
