The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-06-18

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twice Lieutenant Tower engineer, and myself, devoted
three other days to the examination OF these works
were repeatedly shot al and once hoy pursued and mar
rowy ecapeda capture On this last occasion Col Has
ke was along himself. Lieutenant Tower and myself
had carefully reconnoered these works as II was
possible do under the constant fire to which were
! exposed from the enemys picquets proiessed 10
have examined them carefully as could but we did
not know. and could not by any possibility, have known
the character OF the works which attacked for they
were completely masked by the stone wall and brush
In the strength of this work we were all deceived 1t
was not my duty Professionally to examine or to know
these worksthat belonged eToSfreiy 10 the engineer
corps but took IL upon myself TO reconnoitre them
that might have personal acquaintance with the
ground which could only be acquired by personal re-
these Reconnaissance, and along more than once
and was much deceived as any one else. Who does
not know that it is impossible to look through stone
walls covered with brush! What means have
either engineers other officers OF discovering works
completely Masked when the approach TO the vicinity OF
those works is guarded by the enemys plcquets, who
fire upon them every time they come within sight OF any
portion of their line of works The stone breastwork
was extended from battery No TO battery No ., dis
partially concealed with brush, and there nothing at
the point assaulted which indicated concealed or masked
works that place. more than at any other portion OF
the line. No matter what portion OF the line APP
preached the enemys pcquets fred upon the recon-
noiterng parties Under these circumstances, was I'M
possible for the most skfu engineers by acts the most
daring make any better reconnaissance than here
made during four days arduous and penlous duty, eX-
posed to the constant fire of the enemys picquets.
knew the works were rry strong, and so reported
to the general in chief, and that II would cost large
portion of my command TO carry them His reply was,
" The enemy there IN strong position and force and
he must be ohpped; and direct you to assault him in
the front, believing you will do your duty" If we had
known the exact strength of this position, would
probably have sought other place to have assaed
him; but it is not probable we should have Jared much
better.
1t will be seen that treat this publication coming
alone from Col Haskell do so, first, because having
met the communication and Col. Haskell both al Mem
Il. thprob oil
he acknowledged that he wrote IT, The other officers who
have signed il am fully persuaded did without re-
Election, and under the impression that had not IN my
official report, done them justice This impression on
their part il will be from my two official reports
was entirely erroneous. These reports not only truly
and fully set forth the strength of the enemys works and
POSITION but they speak OF the conduct and bearing of
this regiment and officers in terms OF high commendation
That this erroneous impression upon the minds OF the
officers produced BY Colonel iiaskePs representa-
TONS have no doubt first, because acknowledging the
the authorship of the article, he must have, OF course
originated it; secondly, his excuses and ndugences
while at Camargo, causing neglect OF his regiment
npeled me notice his conduct in such way TO pro-
duce on his part personal i'll will towards myself, which
has ever since ranked in his bosom and know him TO
be my personal apd political enemy thirdly that Haskell
believe that had done them injustice and that their repu
tation and that of the regiment identified ruth ms,
and was suffering the public estimation, is manifest
from their complaint that injustice had been done them,
when fact, will be that my oihclal reports
(Which had then been published al least had not
as TO their galantry and the strength OF the works
sailed
In these impressions am fully confirmed, from the fact
that Colonel Haskell, am informed from the most re-
liable sources presented this paper to Capt Williams,
who commanded the independent Kentucky company, for
has signature. who Indignantly refused TO sign it He also
presented it to Lieut. Anderson, OF his regiment who had
the mdnlfness and rneSS TO pronounce the article tdte
and refused TO sign IT. Ii will also be seen that Maj Far
quharson who upon duty with that regiment in
that battle, and Capt Naylor, OF Cd Pennsylvania reg
| md offc IN IS
perfectly identified with the CONDUCT and character of
the regiment but who were Independent OF Haskes in
other Officers y 81 the ID Tennessee regiment Who have
not signed it but having list OF the of the
officers of the regiment before me- cannot say and as
have not had opportunity OF seeing one OF these OH
GERS since the appearance of the article and know
them TO be brave and gallant men, am left TO explain
and understand their conduct by circumstances, though
Mey point unerringly to the truth, as believe.
These the influences, which, IN kindness and char
ty, believe controlled them in appendng their names to
this article Be this as IT may, 1t IS certain they have
acted without due reflection for they have fallen into the
to the number and character of the works
and of what was intended to be attacked and OF what
was actually donehave fallen into the error OF
regarding the only practicable orler OF march blum
der of mne-and have regarded my order for the orma
ton OF Hasells line of battle, reversing the wings
and changing the rank OF the regiment These things
they have BY their signatures testified to- without
other information than such they must have got from
Col Haskell himself; for never held any conversation
with any of them upon the subject, did issue any
written order of battle for the before given and
my personal interview was with the colonies alone. am
bound therefore, under all the circumstances, TO believe
that these officers acted hastily and without reflection and
under the influence of false Impressions produced by Col
Haskell who abused their confidence, and gratied his
own malignant feelings towards me, by masking, under
the cover and influence of their name, attack upon
my character remarkable only for its mbectty and ab
surdity.
1t further appears from my report, that Col Haskell
i'm the heat of the battle after his field officers
down. and his regiment beat back in confusion and dis
order, left his command and followed me-nearly TO
Major Coopers postion-to report in person its condi
ton; and that Immediately ordered him 10 return 10
his command did not pass upon this conduct of Col
Haskell in precpitately rereang from the field OF &C
ton without his cap, and in advance of every officer and
private of his regiment; and passed IT in my
port, by barely speaking of the fact without any
mark or obsevation-and did from desire to spare
his reputation; and regret that he and these other
personal courage and gallant bear,g the field of bat
tie" | cannot accord the same to him
The question distinctly asked-"why assaulted bat
terry No 2? why did before ready, and with
small forcel As answer to these questions refer
to the following portion of my detailed report
"Upon arriving my position for assault, commenced
the formation of INV assauny forces without the loss of
moments time had myself placed Col. Haskels reg-
position for assault the left side OF the angle
had placed Col 2oberss regiment (he supporting force of
Haskels regmenD in position short distance in the rear
had ordered Wynkoops regmenihe advance OF the other
assaultng toceto its positions (and twas its way to its
position with Col Campbells regiment It's supporting
iorcc when the enemy discovering position directed
strucve that 1t would have swept away my entire
mand had it remained in position long enough
have completed the formation of the forces for the assault
Owing the mpeneuablc chapparal which covered the
whole of the country equally impossible fall
back and complete the movement, even If such
ment would not have thrown the force entirely out of posi-