Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-06-27
THE YIENNI AEEAIR-

CANP UPTON, va, June %, 1901.
Editor Sfa,: find in the kilograms Of the 22d
Inst the following especial to the N. Y. Post"
"a strict examination Of the causes Of the Ia
nentable affair at Vienna, has resulted In the
culpaton Of the engineer Of the train which took
up the Ohio troops; The responsibility Of the
blunder, which resulted 30 disastrouslY for our
troops, rests upon Gen ScheBck y
Now that you have published the above, will
you do Gen schenck the justice to publish this
communication
was at the time Acting Aid to Gen Schenck,
and at his side, both before and during the action
and have full knowledge, therefore, Of every
order given. The First Ohio Regiment was ia ken
on train furnished by Gen. Mc Dowel, and pur-
suant to his orders six companies were efs at diff
ferent points along the line Of the Lopdoun and
Hampshire Railroad. The remaining four COM
paniss Were to be stationed at Vienna. This same
train had only the day before been at Vienna-not
only at Vienna, but three miles beyond, with Gen
Tyler and staff, who reported, mo evidence Of
troops In that neig y IL 10 true that some
ONE told General Schenck that some other man
had heard that somebody had said that there had
been seven hundred rebels at or near Vienna He
had no foundation on which to base even a delay
Of SO important move, let alone to disobey his
orders. An oticer in command Of a post in the
enemys country soon learns to appreciate wild
rumors.
When within mile of the village the train was
ordered to proceed cautiously, and Mai Hughes
with the Generals field glass was placed as the
lookout on the forward car
The battery being masked by bushes wac not
discovered until the moment it opened fire The
train was almost Instantly stopped The General
FIRST ordered me to have the train drawn ont Of
range. immediately went to the platform next
the engine, which was In the rear. followed by
| the General himself, who repeated his order after
me. The engineer who was much excited and
| In evident fear, stammered out that the breaks
were down, and he could not move at once
L unIOOSeQ nlatfOrm w We,
| God, ran back and unwouDd that If the car next
behind, and gave orders to have all the rest done
l then went back and informed the engineer Of the
| TACT Meanwhile some one uncoupled the first
| car with the engine and tender from the rest of
| the train. The General then gave special orders
| to the engineer to move short distance down the
| road and then await us He at once started off as
quick a ID as fast as he could and ran as we
| were informed by parties along the road s.as II
| the devil was after him." to alexandria, where
| he probably yet remains
By taking off in this manner the one car he de-
prived us of all means of sending for reinforce.
| ments, or Of carrying our wounded back to camp,
| except laooriOusiy and painfully In blankets The
l case Of surgical instruments, which our surgeon
who was with US all the time, had placed IN charge
| of an attendant on the cars, was also carried OF
| and nothing conld be done for the poor sufferer,
/ until next morning
The men who were present and In fact all the
ofhcers and men Of tie brigade, attach no blame
| TO General Schenck, who only obeyed special or.
ders from headquarters; and so far from abusing
they all praise his GOODNESS under FIRE; his iud
| ment and officer like conduct in railying and
| forming his men on either side OF the road Nc
officef could have obeyed his instructions better
| and no man could have done more to retrieve the
| disaster and save his command from utter ami.
l h!lation
This statement is not made to shield any one
| or to throw blame where Il does not belong
| But, being present and possessed Of facts which
| probably but few have knowledge CT write tht
above to render justice where justice 10 due
WM IA RAYSoR,
First Lieut.. Comp. 6, First Reg o " NJ