Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1861-08-27

CLERNoNT, near Alexandra.
August 5. 1861
Hon ERAsrus FAIRBANKS, Sir On the SEQ.
ond or third day after the battle Of the Dist ut
the commander OF the brigade having requested
reports from the various commanders Of com
plnles, to be handed TO the colonies Of ther
respective regiments, the commissioned officers
o. tlas regiment were by request OF COL Viii.
ting assembled in % room Of the market buidne
IN Alexandria. All the officers were present
except Capt Todd who was absent sick. and
capt Pullman, whose company being stationed
at another point did not receive the message 10
attend in time
IL was then proposed by the colonel that il
turn each captain speak Of the proceedings Of
thelr respective companies. The colonel stated
TO the officers his proceedings during the tmc Of
BATTLE which corresponds with the one made te
the colonel commanding the brigade. Colgaa
W hiting then called upon each officer present t.
state then and there II he knew Of anything con.
ilictlng with the statement then made by tho
colonel, TO which not one word Of objection was
made Alter various other officers bad stated
Their proceedings, the colonel then called the al.
tontlon OF the officers to rumor that he bad
just heard, that there was some dissatisfaction
lelt IN the regiment with regard to his conduct
IN some respects Of which he was not informed
lie then called upon all officers present. that
since they had behaved so well on the field they
would also be brave enough 10 state plainlr
whether they have any cause Of complaint. thai
perhaps the cause BY being stated might be rem.
edled to which no one uttered a word And
we are satisfied that the first intimat9n that the
colonel received Of any dissatisfaction with his
course at Bull Run was through the papers
published at Montpelier and Burlington, ",
which seemed based upon the report Of Sergeant
Major Guinan, whom the colonel has felt obi.
god to reproye sharply for disgraciug tie
regiment by getting drunk 10 New York on bic
way here, and afterwards, for all Of which rea-
sons, and the character Of said Guinan, we were
astonshcd that the conduct Of Col Whiting.
which we believe was approved By the command.
ant OF the brigade and DIVISION was SO fully a.
ken up by the press, which in these times ourh,
to repel instead Of fan a possible spark Of a.
senslon. Gro. SrbNNARD,
Lieut.. Col "a VT. Rcgt.
\ II. BALLou, Surgeon "a Vt. Reg't.
We copy the above because it is the only rc-
Ply that we have yet seen from any authorita-
tive source to the structures so generally made
upon the conduct Of Col. Whiting at Bull run.
and coming from officers Of the Regiment, snt
addressed to the Governor who appointed him,
we are fairly justified in assuming that it va.
prepared and forwarded at the Colones instance
and under his immediate supervision and lnspco-
ton. Let US examine its logic and discover il
possible whether it leaves the Colonel in any
bQttpr 70 hoo .
The certificate says that meeting of tn,
commissioned officers Of the Regiment was held
on the request of Col Whiting on the second
or third day after the battle" The Colonel at
tins meeting after hearing the Captains state
ments Of the proceedings Of theit respective
and stating his own proceedings,
&c, called the attention OF the officers to
rumcr that there was some dissatisfaction Ten
IN the Regiment in regard to his conduct" and
asked the officers If they had any complaint tq
make, to which they made no reply ltisQaie
plain that the Colonel could not have then arpp
ho Montpelier and Burlington papers. What
'redlt then can be given to this certificate which
owes itself the lie by Immediately adding We
ire satisfied that the .frsi ntimahon that the
colonel received of any dissatisfaction, &C..
vas through papers published at Montpelier
nd Burlington, VT?
But the certificate attempts to divert attan.
ION from Col Whiting by making scandal.
us attack upon Sergeant Major Guinon. We
ad hitherto charged upon the enemy the bru-
aIity OF attacking our wounded soldiers buti.
GEMS there are men In our own army who are
mulous OF the same infamous distinction
i9jor Guinon is abundantly able to defend him.
ELL and we need only say here, that he denies al.
.rly and absolutely and uncquiyocally that tie
olonel reprmanded him as stated in the eertR
ate or had any occasion to do so. How much
o. Whiting reputation as a brave and gal
mt oiilcer has suffered from anything said By
'e Mayor we cannot say We only know THAI
has net said word to US about him. Itn
lite possible his testimony when given at al.
'reed with that of all others from the baals.
'id' but 1t is simply impossible that he should
I'VE originated the stories that got here long
lore he arrived Even the certificate. as we
I'VE before shown, proves the falsity of this
arge against brave officer, who, whateyes
ultS he may have, did not hide from the enc
In the day of his Country battle.
-s-.~,
SECRSStON