Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-08-10
From IYnahInrton.

I
rife, and subsequently published in the
lsrning Leader.
Now, while I believe Mr.. Riddle entirely
bic and competent to make his own defence
q the premises, AMI though unsolicited in
ny manner BY him to make any stand in
,ehalf Of his cause, l canno. permit the op-
'ortunity to slip, without giving few facts
% your readers as know them to have ex-
sted on aad Immediately after the day Of
he battle and terrible rout of our army at
Bulls Run-trusting, as l do, that with all
impartial readers they will throw a new an
Apologetic light upon this communication
TO wife" so roughly and sharply criticized
10 the Herald. I say apOlOgetic light, for
while oftentimes the true nature Of the case
relieves an accused of the necessity of any
apology, it may still be appropriate to give
circumstances and occurrences to the reader
that will furnish a ready key to what
otherwise would remain locked in compara-
tive mystery and subject to gross misrepre-
sentatlon.
On the day of the memorable battle, so
intense had become the anxiety and solicitude
as to the result of the fight that large
number of ,Oongressmen, as well as visitors
and citizens of Washington, could not resist
the temptation to Cross over the Potomac
and be near the scene of conflict; while
those who were obliged 10 remain in the
city for want Of a "pass" or proper con-
sequence gave evidence in thousand ways
that al universal sense Of the fearful import
of the hour reigned throughout the entire
District People realized here that on the
result of the contest hung not only the COM
parative fate of our flag. but the immediate
salty and welfare of Washington and the
valuable lives and treasures within its borders.
Indeed, it is now patent TO all that had the
rebels followed up their advantage, they
could have possessed themselves Of the city
within forty-eight hours after the rout of our
larmy.
No one who was not here on the ground
can fully appreciate the dreadful air Of sus-
ipense that exhibited itself everywhere
Crowds thronged the highways leading 10
the long bridge, and as the booming of artil-
llery came echoing over Arlington Heights,
blauched cheeks and trembling limbs told oi
the fever that was created. As you neared
the field of strife, of course the suspense in
creased an hundred fold-while those who
looked on, as well as those who took part
in the action, fairly wept with sense Of the
responsibilities of the moment.
Now, If it is objected that at such time
as this Mr.. Riddle was near the army at all
or that he rode there in carriage, and took
with him a basket of provisions to consume
himself and to distribute to others, then
fail to see where an answer to such paltry
faultfnding can come in, or even be expect
ed to be made.
The terrible grievance lays as l understand
, / it in the discharge from the already over
loaded and impeded carriage, of the person o
q soldier who, after having been permitted
to ride for g while, and meantime being feC
from the basket of edibles, stoutly persisted
L in riding into the city away from his regi
meut and his comrades. To those who occu
MED this carriage, as well as to those wht
vvere along side Ia THAR GtiEouaEoa1icies
Isueb spectacIes of a desertion from the pos
Iof duty were conducive of nothing but in
voluntary disgust and indignation, for, bea
in mind, there was no presence of the enemy
pursuinp-no orders had been issued for
retreat, and no indications could be seen ex
leept in the insane rout Of the teamsters snC
portions of regiments, of any real approach
ling crisis or danger. In fact there was nj
sucb crisis at hand, and had our middle mel
f-by which I mean that portion Of the arm!
H, avnd fh
! reserve forces-maiutained decent selt-pos
session and resistance to the stampede of tn
wagoners, we should have saved to ourselve
an advantage which we lost at the cost o
many lives and vast amount of property.
. Isubmit. therefore, if Mr.. Riddle and thos
; with him flor they all felt alike upon tn
4 .ubiect) was not right in crying out to tn
} fleeing soldiers to stop and not fee when n
, enemy was pursuing-nay, if Senator Chan
, dIer. and others with him, were not in goo
, service when they planted themselves in th
middle of the road, and, with pointed pistols
4 ATTEMPTED to set back the tide that was gain
, ing such terrible power at every moment.
A battle day that had witnessed our arm
twice comparatively victorious, was to g
9 down on a shameful stampede from the con
/ fiict ground of q portion of our army, who
leaving behind them their comrades sti
fighting the toe-while hundreds lay wound
ed and diving on the feld-precipitately fec
carrying CONSERVATION and utter destruC
! ton in their path-the entire army was to
! demoralized and the seat Of Government ez
4 posed an easy prey to the relentless enem!
I can imagine the critics of Mr.. Riddle
Icourse, seated in his place in his csrriag
! soldiers erowding the step and drivers boz
! to catch ride, and then suppose them cor
. | ,oling with and encouraging the flight {
! those runaways from their duty. Isay ca
! Imagine this-only can't. Were it necei
: a;ry, I could give to such critics few ser
itenees I heard drop on Monday after II
!, hattie. from the mouths of honorable mel
vbo witnessed this sudden and unnecessar
breaking up of a noble army. They ru
4 over with bitter invectives and denuneiatioT
= of the towards who fed from Bulls Rui
I Mind, say cowsrds-for they it were WI
ran aWey-not the brave men who remainei
n and. being deserted by their comrades in Il
rear. covered a safe and honorable retrea
= WHY. these very men who thus ignomin
ousiy threw away their arms and made f
, This CITY. were the loudest when they q
4 1nrn. IN DdEdQluk eAOAA Wv II Ae-A AAA NAf-S-
! and condemning the flight of those WI
!, we're really the last to leave TIE field. Tn
fact can be proven by the evidence of office
10 in command.
I submit, therefore, to the intelligent rear
!, ers of tae Reserve, If on the Monday aft
y such Sunday as was the 2lst Of last mont
their representative who sits down to wri
tbe most free and most confidential of lette
-one to his wife-might not be expected
deal severely with the instances that fell ii
der his notice, of personal coWardice and
"a sertion from soldiers dnty. Had that le
ter been intended as communication,
e phraseology might be the subject of CRITICS
i With some, and still the terrible facts, as th'
le came to lieht of persons here, would har
"A prompted like expressions and similar Co
elusions The truth Of it is, there went in
4 that battle, and eameout Of it unhsrmed al
In uuscatned, class Of privates ana officers wi
As volunteered for this war as if it were 8 p
mic occasion-individual who came on
Washington professedly to fight but witbo
v the slightest idea that real bona 6de bait
4. af