The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-13
OPERATIONS OF GENERAL BENHAM.
TO rHE EDITOR or THE HERALD.


find in yonr columns OF the 29th of November art
Gle from your coirespondent written at Gauey Bridge,
togeEer With sketch purportng to describe the scene
the tight and fight Of Floyd at Cotton Hills" in the
cent battle Gaulcy river This article would do very
well If il did not leave your readers TO infer is therein
stated, that The snistake Of Benham Cassdy's Mil
lost opportunity to end the campaign in Western
Virginia with the capture Of Floyd aud lis entire my"
This is a very grave conclusion TO assert against
officer Of the regular army; and TO those unacquanted
with General enbain IL Is well calculated mislead and
do him injury but 10 those who Know him it VIII have
weight, whatever. Nor can ], ffoin careful
pergsa Of your correspondent letter. AMI study Of tho
accompanying sketch, any statement of fact upon
which such conclusion is predcated. and IL is TO ba
regretted that in place OF pointing out facts they
Cured and from which the reader could Judge for him.
self, the writer should have dropped the subject
the dark and wound of by saying that "y strange
REIMBURSEMENT upon the part OF General Bcnham," &C.,
FLOYD got away with his main force.
What this strange mismanagcment was tho writer Goes
not pretend say but due time have no doubt Gene
raj Benhan will speak for himself and when his Official
report shall be received this strange lnagcment"
will not appear The sketch aud letter supposed TO
give an impartial account Of the action tho pbiic
Whilst former attracts attention the latter brief and
vague except 10 the conclusion In one place IL
makes Bonham and his command appear ubiquitous.
The writer says ait the intention Of General Rose
Grams this force speakng OF Benhams) should have
thrown upon the flank Of tho retreating ary while
schencks and Benhams brigades pushed taom IN the
rear"
Now the flank and of retrcsting column are en-
trely different. These acs are what the pabnc want
before they willing to pass Judgment upon Benham.
II also appears very strange that such letter, purpoi
ing give account of the battle, should have failed
make any whatever Of the part the largest por-
ton forces under Generals Roecrans and chenck
took in the engagement.
such marked omissions and such marked conclusion in
reference to General Benhan carry with them their
force Of condemnation.
But we know General Benham personally, and Of his
great talents and ability officer; and the
people generally know him from his marked
ability and bravery, as well in Mexico At the
battle Of Buena Vista, where General Taylor sealed his
reputation for courage, also from his rapid pursuit.
attack death and capture Of General Garnets command
His subsequent conoin attack on tloyd's mand driy
ing him across the Gauiey river at night compelling him
and his army to nee as also his last rapid dash
Floyds rereating column from Cotton Hills overtaking
his rear, and with an Inferior force attacking quickly,
killing its immediate commander Col mel Croghsn and
when still ON Me pursuit he is length ovcriaSen BY
positive orders from his superior in rank Gene
and compelled, against his views, to abandon the
pursuit md reion his command.
BY publishing the above you will do favor TO bravo
absent officer, and gratry your na.y readers