the retirement of the original line, it ought not to be
technically applied back to a time when that line was supposed to be
sweeping on to victory and only sought fresh strength to mature that
victory.

That a general action was precipitated by the Confederate forces under
General Albert Sidney Johnson and was in the nature of a successful
surprise of the Union Army, is the fact which harmonizes the reports of
officers of both armies with the incidents of the day, and fairly
distributes responsibility, without reflecting the narrow escape of the
Union Army from destruction upon any single officer or command;
especially, where all did so well, and so much is to be credited to the
fall of General Johnson and the interruption of his deliberate plan,
first to surprise, and then sweep on to victory, at whatever cost.

The Documents are as follows:

1st. Letter of Major General Lew Wallace to General U.S. Grant, February
26, 1869.

2nd. Letter of Lieutenant Colonel Ross, A.D.C. to General Wallace,
January 25, 1868.

3rd. Letter of General J.A. Strickland to General Wallace, January 24,
1868.

4th. Letter of General G.F. McGinnis to General Wallace, February 20,
1868.

5th. Letter of General Fred. Knefler to General Wallace, February 19,
1868.

6th. Letter of Captain Ad Ware, A.D.C., to General Wallace (without
date).

7th. Letter of General John M. Thayer to General Wallace, March 4, 1868.

8th. Letter of General U.S. Grant to General Wallace, March 10, 1868,
commenting upon the letters cited and suggesting their publication, in
justice to General Wallace.

[Illustration: The map of the Compte de Paris has been utilized. 1, 2
and 3 give location of Wallace's Brigades in line, perpendicular to the
river, with right at Adamsville (3), 2. Concentration of Division. 4.
Crossing at Snake creek to take the right of General Sherman. 4-5.
Countermarch to lower crossing after retirement of the right. 6. Lower
crossing which had for several days previously been under water.
Wallace's division, on the 7th, held the right of Sherman, as indicated
for the 6th, when he moved to take part in the general action.]

General Wallace to General Grant:

WASHINGTON CITY, Feb. 29, 1868.

GENERAL:

About a year after the battle of Pittsburg Landing, it came to
my knowledge, that I was suffering, in your opinion, from
erroneous information upon the subject of my conduct and
movements as commander of the