Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1847-06-17

II
uon and under the impression that had no. in my oi
eial report done them justice This impression on
part VIII DC seen from my two official reports. wa,
urey erroneous Thee reports not only truly and fully
set forth the strength Of the enemy works and position
but they speak Of the conduct and bearing Of this
nent. aud officers, In terms OF high CONNIE ndaton Thai
this erroneous impression upon the minds Of the officers
was produced BY Col Haskels representations have no
doubts hist because acknowledging the authorship OF the
suee, he must have OF course. originated It, Secondly
bis excuses and indulgcnees while Camatso, causing
neglect OF his regiment, impeed his conduci
IN such away as TO produce, his part personal III. will
towards myself which has ranked in his BOSOM
and Know him TO be my personal and political enemy
Thirdly that Haskell has by representations to these fl
ces induced them believe that had done them inus.
and ina, 'ner reputation and that OF the regiment
dennhed with his aud suffering the public estms.
uon Is manifest from their complaints that Injustice had
been done ihem when. In fact will DO that my Of
fetal reports, (which had then been published or al
least had not been seen by hem do them full and ample
works assaled
In these Impressions fully confirmed, from the fac
mat COL Haskell a. am informed from the reliable
sources, presented this paper Capt Williams who com.
msnded the independent Kentucky company for his sigma.
ture, who indignantly refused sign IT, lie also pre-.
scented to Lieut. Anderson Of his regiment who had IN,
manness and hrmness pronounce tho article false and
refused 10 sign it, will also be seen that Mai Farauar
son. who upon duty with that regiment IN that battle
and Capt Nrylor. Of the I'd Pennsylvania Regiment and
his officers whose position this day perfectly
tined with the conduct and character Of the but
who were independent OF Haskells influence have no,
sgned There may be- and probably are other officers Of
the I'd Tennessee Regiment who have not signed IT, bu
not having list OF the Of the officers OF the regimen
before me- cannot say and have had an oppor.
uny OF seeing OF these officers since appearance
OF the article. and know them be brave and gallant
mon, am lei, TO explain and understand their conduct by
circumstance though they point unerinsy to the truth
| believe.
These the influences which in kinjnes, and charity
believe controlled them in appending their to this
article Be this may is certain they have acted with
due reflection. for they have fallen same error.
To the number and character of works and of what
was intended To be attacked and of what acus done
have aen into the regarding
cabe order Of march n blunder OF mine-and have re-
gsrded my order for the formation OF Haskes line OF bat
e ne reversing the wings and changing the rank of the
regiment These things they have by their signatures tes-
uhed to- without any other information than such
must have got from Col Haskell himself for never held
conversation with OF them upon the subject nor
did issue any written order OF battle, for reasons
TOR gwen and personal interview with colonel.
alone. am bound therefore, under these circum.,ances
TO believe that these officers acted hastily and without re
hecon aud under the influence of false impressions pro-
duced by Col Haskell. who abused their confidence and
grauted his own malignant feelings towards me- by mask
ing. under ard influence of their name an attack
upon my character remarkable only for its imbecy and
abSurdy.
Ii further appears from my report that Col Haskell in
the heat OF the battle after his field officers were cut down
and his regiment beat back confusion and disorder
his command and followed me-nearly to Major Coopers
posiiionio report in person its condition and that i'm
mediaely ordered him To return to his command did
pass upon this conduct Of Col Haske in
retreatng from the field OF action without his cap and in
advance Of every officer and private Of his regiments and
passed over IN report by barely speaking the
without any remark or observaton-and did from
desire 10 spare his reputation and regret that he and
these other officers have voluntarily borne public testimony
Ito my personal courage and gallant bearing the field
Of battle" that cannot accord the same TO him.
The question is distinctly asked-"Why assaulted bat
terry No. why did before ready and with so
small force ~ AS an answer TO these questions refer
to the following portion Of my detailed report.
Upon arriving at my position for assault commenced
the formation oil my assauung forces without loss Of
moments time had myself placed Col Haskelps req
ment IN position for assault the left side the angle
had placed Col Roberts, regiment he supporting force
of Haskells regimenD in position n short distance i'm the
Had ordered Wynkoop's regiment-the advance of
the other assaulung foce-io its posiion land
way - its position with Col. Campbers regiment rs its
supporting foree when the enemy discovering our posi-
ton directed most calling fire into the command Thi,
ire was so destructive, that would have swept away my
entire command, had remained in position even long
enough 10 have completed the formation OF the forces for
the assault Owing 10 the mpeuetrable chapparra which
covered the whole face OF the county, il equally i'm
possible TO fall back and complete the movement even If
such would have thrown the force entirely
out OF position. Seeing that alternative et me but
TO retreat with the whole command in the face Of the enc
mys hre and break the order Of battle aud violate the
orders OF the and thus bring disgrace upon
the whole brigade, or TO dash rapidly forward upon the
works OF the enemy with the forces which in position
instantly sent my aid Lieut. Rains with
TO bring Col Roberss regiment quick possible to
the support Of Col. Haskell aud directed this last regiment
10 charge the enemy's works. also my aid
liar movement upon the works in front OF his position be-
ing the opposite side OF the angle Haskes regiment
dashed noby forward with shout Of enthusiasm" Hence
u will DC that the which took Of charging
the works was the only one left
IL manifest therefore, that the effort throw on me
the respons by OF the failure carry the work
at Cerro Gordo is altogether unjust The alleged errors in
my orders and dispositions Of the assaung forces have
shown were not errors but that they were contrary
the proper orders and dispositions for that purpose
most vigorous and determined effort made TO car
Ell II
because Of the strength Of the work assaed and the most
lnsumouniable obstacles and barriers its spproach
Though Col Roberts was IN close supporting distance Of
Col Haskel-beng within $50 or 200 yards-and or
dered to his immediate support before the was order
ed TO charge, yet he did not get in time the
assault made by Haske's regiment, before down
and forced TO retire Upon the report OF the fact me-
though the time entirely disabled in the use of nv
right arm by canister shot, mmed atey formed the
whole command to the attack and had ordered the
charge when the enemy ran up the white flag and surren
dered.
While disposed to charge the fault of this fa
lure TO the misconduct of officer portion Of my
mand, but TO tho Gbratarke strength of tho works them
selves yet II any body particularly fault,
COL Haskell, FOR precpitaey reeang from the field leav-
ing MS regiment cut TO pieces, scattered and in confusion
without any field officer command it, instead OF remain
ing with his regiment and reporting by an officer.
The Colonel says ENJOY the reputation OF leading his
command IN this charge Ceno Gordo. was not aware
that enjoyed the reputation OF doing what nowhere
claimed to have DONE In my official report distinctly state
that al the head of tho coumnn person placed his
regiment IN posion-ordeted Col Roberts his support
ordered COL Wynkoop TO his position; and that, after
ing uor reasons which fully explained IN my detailed
reporD ordered the charge OF his regiment that then
moved across the line OF the enemys fire. intending lead
ia person the siorming party, of which Col Wynkoops
ginent constituted tho advance but prevented from
doing so by wound received II had led the charge Of
iaskes command think should have led it differently
and with different resus aud If the severity the FIRE had
cut down oil my held officers myself and driven back
my eJnmahd think should have fallen back with il in
good ORDER instead Of retreatnR from the field in advance
OF my command, no matter what the object
A. shall leave this city in few days. to assume the
command my division, route t. Mexico no further
communication from can DO expected, on this or any
other subject.
As act Of justice ask those papers which have pub
shed the attack upon rue 10 give this an insertion
GIDEON J. PILLOW
NV ORLEANS. June 7, ls47.