Sketches of Operations of General John C. Breckinridge.
By Colonel J. Stoddard Johnston, of his Staff.
No. 1—From Dalton, Georgia, to Hanover Junction, Virginia.
[Our readers will receive with great interest the following sketches from the facile pen of the gallant soldier whose position on the staff gave him special opportunities for knowing whereof he affirms.]
While the Army of Tennessee was in winter quarters at Dalton, Georgia, General Breckinridge was, early in February, 1864, ordered to the command of the Department of Southwestern Virginia. He repaired to Richmond about the middle of that month, and there remained nearly a fortnight in consultation with the President and War Department, gathering information and receiving instructions concerning his new command. On the 5th of March he relieved General Samuel Jones, and formally assumed command of the Department of Southwestern Virginia, with headquarters at Dublin station, a depot on the Virginia and East Tennessee railroad a few miles west of New river. His new command included all of East Tennessee occupied by the Confederate forces and all of Virginia west of the Blue Ridge. Its great extent of exposed front, with
