[This letter, along with those dated 1867 October 23 (2 letters), 1868 January 6 and 24, 1874 January 7, and 1880 December 16, relate to the conflict between Johnston and Davis, which in part was the result of Davis' having relieved Johnston from command of the Confederate Army in Georgia in 1864 July. G.E. Govan and J.W. Livingood presented an account of the controversy in their biography of Johnston (pages 382-384), and Johnston gave his own version in his Narrative (pages 430-465).] In the letter Johnston stated that he had learned that T.J. Wharton, former Attorney-General of Mississippi, had in his possession a document written by Davis and allegedly submitted to members of the Confederate Congress. "The paper," he continued, "is described as a series of attacks upon my previous conduct as a Confederate officer." As it had reportedly been shown to a number of persons, Johnston asked Davis to instruct Wharton to give Colonel [James M.] Kennard, [Official Secretary to Governor Benjamin G. Humphreys of Mississippi], a copy for him (Johnston) so that he might defend himself. [Published in Rowland, Jefferson Davis, His Letters..., VII, 129-130.]
