The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-12-06
BATTLE OF CRANEY ISLAND.
WAsHNGToN, Nov. 25, 1916.
To the Editor Of the Union:

WASHINGTON, Nov 25, ls45.
To the Editor Of the Union:
GENTLEMEN: | have read the several. statements
published in your paper of the 9th and 18th ult,
in reference to the defence of Crazy island, the
22d June, 1913. have also read the report of Col.
Beatty, the commanding officer on the island, to
General Taylor, and narrative of the affair, writ
ten by noncommssoned officer of Captain En-
merson's company of artillery. These statements
of Captains Shubriek and Pollard, Of the 9th and
18th ut appear to give the ,rhoe credit Of that de-
fence to the officers and sailors of the frgate Con-
stellation-thus showing manifest discrepancy be-
tween them and Colonel Beatty's report and the
narrative. Now, as an act Of justice to Captain
Emmerson's company, (nearly all Of whom are now
in their graves, who, for their activity and bravery
in that battle received not only the public common
dation of Colonel Beatty, but of the commanding
general, will you be pleased TO give place in your
columns to this note, and Colonel Beatty's report,
with the narrative above referred toall of which
incoseia
Captains Shubrick and Pollard do not speak OF
Captain Emmerson's company as having any ''part
or lot in the matter" This omission evidently
shows that they wrote from recollection, and not
from the book, after lapse of thirty-two years;
whereas Colonel Beatty wrote his report three days
after the action fought and it is not likely he
could have been mistaken or incorrect in his state
ment
In this report, he says: "The wo "a FOUNDERS
and the four 6-pounders were advantageously post
ed under the direction of Major Falkner, of the ar
tilleryn The command of the 24-pounders was
assigned to Captain Emmerson and his second lieu
tenant, Thomas Goodwin and not Gas stated by Cap
tain Shubrck) to 'tLeuts. Neale and Saunders"
The guns were served by the brave and gallant tars.
To the first lieutenant, p. g. Howle, was given the
command of two 6-pounders, and the remaining two
were commanded by two noncommissioned officers
Of Captain Emmerson's company These guns were
fought by the priva,es Of that company. The l8-
pound gun (or there only one) remainsto be ac-
counted for. That gun was at the south end of the
battery and the writer Of the narrative gives the
mand Of it to Captain Rourke, and not to Lieuten-
ant Shubrick; and his statement s, think, snstan-
ed by Colonel Beatty, who, in his report, makes
honorable mention Of Captain Rourke, thus: "Capt.
Rourke conducted himself with great activity and
judgment in defence Of the place." &c.--meaning,
no doubt in the management Of the lS-pounder
AS the battery consisted Of only seren cannon, and
disposition being made of them as above, where
were Lieuts. Neale, Shubrick, and SAUNDERS They,
Of course were at the head of the Sailors prepared
to do their duty. If such palpabe injustice was
done these officers in Colonel Beatty's report, why
was that report suffered to remain uncontIa addicted
thirty-two yearsl These ''hrave" officers with $50
brave sailors and marines, flew 10 the aid of their
and anxious TO take part in the fght;n but there
was no separate command for them. A small de-
tachment Of sailors sufficient man the two "a and
one lS-pounders were detailed to take the place of
the soldiers, who had, previous TO their arrival on
the island, been assigned to that duty. Capt. En-
mersons men, under portion of their own officers,
retaining the exclusive management of the four
field pieces, Captain Emmerson and his second
lieutenant, Goodwin, each having the immediate
command of one of the two 24-pounders.
GOODWIN