Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-08-10
statement Of Hon. A. G. Riddle in Refer
ence to Charges Made Against him by
the Cleveland Herald.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, I
WAsHEaToN. Aug. 5. 1861. [

HOUEE OF hEPRESENTATINE Esr 4
WAsHRsFoN, Aug. 5, 1861. !
A period which demands the exercise Of
a patriotism so unanimous and heroic, that
= evil passion can find voice, save 8 ma
henity that never sleeps, is not one when
an humble individual should seek TO die
tract the public attention to his private af-
fairs. but the course of the Cleveland Her
aid, in the estimation Of few friends, re-
ouires that even now l should throw my
self 80 far upon the public indulgence, as
to ask its attention to the statement now
submit ..-1
That course has its origin in no political
act, or sentiment Of mine, nor in any pri
vate hostility on my Part to that journal,
or any Of its conductors; nor on account Of
any discourtesy Of mine, but solely for the
satisfactory reason, that l preferred that
another Republican journal should receive
The patronage Of the Cleveland Post Office
Other than this, the Herald has no cause Of
enmity to me. It will hardly claim l was
under obligations or pledges TO it Of any
sort or kind. To the daily attacks of that
paper during the spring, though urged to
do 50, l made no reply. was determined
that the Republican party should be dis
trscted by no quarrel Of mine. And
we're l to consult my own inclinstions l
would remain silent now, trusting that the
world would some time, in the progress of
the war, discover the difference between
the heroic soldier who remains en- the field,
and him who, in advance Of defeat, aban-
dons it without cause, and that it may not
be the best incentive to heroic deeds to con-
r. I Il rFt
lam now charged in that Journal, not
only with want Of spirit and hrmness,
in danger, to which offer nc reply, but
with brutal inhumsnity to distressed SOL
diers, under circumstances that deserve
the scorn and execrstion Of the world.
The-proof Of this obliquity am glad 70 and
exists alone in the contents of letter Of
nv own, q letter that hastily recounts
nv personal observations and experience
in the neighborhood Of the Battle Of July
2lst." l shall give so much Of what saw
as bears on these charges, only for thepnr-
pose Of disclosing the facts with which
dealt, the circumstances under which !
wrote, as also the person to whom it was
addressed. To those who find in the feet
that was ct the battle at all grave cause
of oensure, can only say, that our party,
before concluding to 60, consulted Gen.
| Scott in person. gentleman who, in the
absence Of these Abler critics, may have
been presumed to be able to deal with the
ustter-and our desire to be present at the
battle not only received HE approval, but
be provided us with special passes for thai
purpose. A copy Of my own l venture tC
append;
HEAD QUAKTERs OF THR ARMY,
WAsHIseTOS, July %, 1861 I
Pass Hon. A. G. RiLdle, N. c.. to our adVanci
posts, and back. he will be tres sted with respec
and consideration BY the oficeTs and soldiers II
the service OF the United states
WINFIELD SCOTT, Commander.
E. d. ToEEsESD, Asst Adjutant General.
- We left the skirts Of th,
battlefield, between four and FIVE, where
We had been told by our officers that w
were vietors, which was confirmed by what
we had seen and heard ourselves. Our en-.
tire army, apparently unbroken, we're in
possession Of the field, and we could see
an immense cloud Of dust rising on ths
Manassas road, said to be produced by the
retreating foe. ~
With these assurances, and the intens,
elation and exultatiOn they inspired. va
returned towards CenterVille, until v,
reached the temporary hospitals farm
house on the north side of the Warrentor
pike, and near large body Of woods Wberr
some part Of the battle began, and neai
which was our carriage. %.
After our examination Of the hospita
and its inmates, we took our places in ou
carriage-a heavy cosch-and started 70
home a about i've, expecting to occupy 81,
hours in oiIr return, but In fact cOnsume'
nearly eight.
I Uur party, with the driver, consisted o
6ve. Mr.. Blake and myself we're on th
right hand side, he upon the back seal
when we started for Washington.
At this time, beside the few soldiers ol
guard about the hospital, there were per