The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-08-02
Colonel Whiting.
tract. .

Colonel Whiting.
Since the retreat from Manassas there have
been reports IN the state papers unfavorable
to the conduct of Col Whiting Of the Vt. ID
reg ment. Most OF the letters tina, have
found their way into the papers of this state
charge him either with cowar,i:ce or nellici-
cncy. We are Slow t. believe tia; such
charges are true. Yet they may be. Neawa,
further developments. From the mos; rc!ia-
biz information We nave, We are inclined 70
believe that there Is Il conspiracy 10 compe.
Ids resi- snal!un or removal. TO make room for
ambitious under officers. The fac, that the
feeling aSa!nS, Cow hitting was freely express
ed as soon as he received his appointment,
ana before he was seen OF known by the reg
ment, and that i. did not begin with tn. bat
lie At Manassas, or his conduct there. will
tend TO strengthen this impression in reflect
ing minds. Ii the Montpelier Patriot, and
kindred shr,fs had not been loud ,nnu.!,. Il
III condemnation of HIM from the day Of his
appointment up TO the prescn, time, We should
nave more faith IN the reports now. But, as
We SAID before, they may be true. Col Whit
ms W.. recommended and endorsed before
lis appointment by Col Richardson of Michi
gan, who commanded TIE lth brigade. and
won new honors for himself in the battle Of
the clst. And As to the conduct Of Col
Whiting in that engagement, the accounts
ale III no wise harmonious. as the following
extracts will show:
From the Burlington Free Press
1--WE regret to learn that untavc:able re-
ports are brought concerning the behavior of
Col Whiting Of the Vt. I'd on the field Of bat
Ne. y correspondent Of the Rutland Herald
says that numbers of tie regiment charge
him with pa!Fable cowarCiice. Though no, IA
Nermonter. Col Whiting was appointed to
the regiment on the strong recommendations
Of capable judges. including Col Richardson
of the Michigan Volunteers, who himself com
handed the fourth brigade in the battle
we trust that further accounts, or an investi
CATION II necessary, may remove all ground
for the untavorable impression concerning
him"
In the war correspondence of the Boston
Journal o. Monday, we find the following
sentences They were written by member
of Col Towards brigade
"a part of the Vermont I'd had rifles, and
tne:r officers desired to halt, saying they could
reach the enemy from that point. Col How
ard consented IN this case. and the Vermont
I'd were gratiiied to see body of the enemy's
troops flee before their FIRE, and retreat along
the road to Manassas Junction. Col Whit
ing. Vermont I'd, showed great GOODNESS and
courage as also did Col Berry, 4th Maine.
who brought away the flag in his own hand
lhe Maine 4th had halted in line with the
Vermont I'd, but the enemy were SO sheltered
and at such distance that their firing took
iitt.S effect"
The report reaches US by the newspapers
that majority of the commissioned officers
of the ID regiment had requested Col Whit
:ng to resign, and that he would probably do
SO. We shall likely know Of the result. Of
this matter in a few DAYS.
Since the above was in type, We find the
following in the Free Press Of the 3O,h:
We believe that the reports unfavorabie
to the character Of Col Whiting of the Yer
mont I'd, for courage, are unfoun,{edL and are
due TO appropriately arising from other causes.
Lieut. SilarpIey, of the Burlington Co., states
that Col Whiting was on the iied and at his
post in the rear of the regiment; that the re-
giment was under his command throughout,
and that he accompanied the colors from the
field, and that he (Sharpley) saw no indica-
tons Of personal fear i'll the colonel not ex-
hiblted by the officers and men generally, any
Of whom were apt TO dodge a cannon ball if
they saw it coming