--I have noticed amongst the various correspondents of the press a considerable amount of perplexity in accounting for the failure of
Gen. Johnston to give battle at Cass Station after his famous battle order of the 13th of May. I have seen amongst other accounts that of the army correspondent of the Augusta
Constitutionalist, positively asserting that
General Johnston had received imperative orders from the War Department at
Richmond, forbidding him to risk any general engagement until reinforcements might be sent to him from the army of Virginia.
The explanation is incorrect.
The true reason for the retreat of the army from Cass Station after
Johnston's battle order had been read to his troops, was a failure upon the part of his corps commanders to comply with
Johnston's plan of battle.
Gen. Johnston having determined upon his line of battle, notified his troops that he was now ready and about to lead them to victory.
Every heart pulsated with patriotic fervor in response to the call of the tried and trusted chieftain.
Joe.
Johnston had deliberately chosen his time and his position — the word had been given, and the deed must be done.
Accordingly
Gen. Johnson ordered his corps commanders to advance their commands and occupy certain designated positions.
All was progressing admirably for the happy consummation of this splendid conception — when a staff officer, charging up to one of
Johnston's distinguished
Lieutenant Generals, made the starting announcement that the enemy were on his flank in large and threatening numbers.
Placing implicit confidence in the announcement of a staff officer, the
Lieutenant General, fearing to move, failed to comply with the orders of his commanding General.
In the meanwhile the advancing column of the enemy gained the position, and
Johnston's plan was thus frustrated.
There was no alternative now left him but to fight the enemy at a disadvantage or to retreat to a safe position.
To have rushed madly into the former,
Gen. Johnston is a man of too much deliberation and even-tempered wisdom — to have feared to do the latter, all the anathemas of an ignorant public could not prevail.--
Cor.
See Republican. 
