New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-12-14

while he was 10 90 to bis left with the rest, 10 two
portions to meet Floyd in front, strongly posted in
bis iutrenched campsl 1t may well be asled-was
it supposed that Benham like the gallant Lyon TO
whom he was often compared at the West was going
10 rush on 20 attack four times bis numbers 1t
true he might have done THE but for the urgent re-
monstrances of his chief officers. But Benham
divided his forces as ordered though demonstrating
that it "broke his strength and urging to be al
lowed TO 90 to tho rear with all his force together to
attack Floyd, and even Offering, with 1909 men
more to guarantee sure hing" Of it, Bnt his
ras not permitted, though the results prove that,
had Gen. Benham's request been granted, be would
have been at least fifteen hours earlier on Floyds
track las part of his small force was) than be was
in fact, while, with the greater strength and the
earlier or moro rapid scouting permissible he would
most probably have been able to strike Floyd with
biz whole strength on bis flank while in full retreat.
But Gen. Benham went to bis left as directed, and
with less than 100 men met and worsied Floyd il
superior force in an iutrenched position, lying be-
tween Benham and his smaller detached force at
Cassidys Mills four miles of. Foyd's forces lay in
strength in front of Benhams position through nearly
all The night, aud when with the morning the retreat
was saspectcd for Benhams orders did not authorize
him to move till he ,cas " certain of Al" he sent hi
scouts under the best officers to reconnoter, and the
very first order he gave was one 10 hs Aid TO carry
10 The commanding officer at Cassidy's Mills land TINS
was at once reported 10 Gen. Rosecransl, that they
Should push on forthwith TO the Raleigh road TO at
tack Foyds rear if they were sure of his retreat,
and hat tras safe for their small force TO attack
him. If not deemed safe, they were to close upon
and strengthen Gen. Benham's own immediate COM
mand Those two officers, among the mos. gallant
and daring in Western Virginia, thought this force
at the Mills not strong enough for that attack. aud
accordingly it returned 10 join Gen. Benham, who,
by the by, had full discretion from Gen. Rosecrans
to give such orders 70 them at Cassdy's Mills as
circumstances may require
As soon as the retreat was assured late in the af-
ternoon the pursuit commenced from three miles on
our side Of Floyds main iHtrenched camp, which
was three miles short Of Fayetteville, for Raleigh
the point aimed at by Floyd, WAS twenty-five miles
beyond Fayetteville. Gen. Benham started with
/ 900 men, leaving the force at Cassdy's Mills to
unite with him where they could las they did about SEQ
sroug) to join in the pursuit, at about five miles
beyond Fayetteville. At near midnight Of the 18Th
Gen. Benham received dispatch from Gen. REESE
Grams, that Gen. Scaenck WAS across in rear Of him
and encampcd at point which was abouithree miles
from where Gen. Benham commenced the pursuit
Benham, in reply to this dispatch, if anticipating
the future begged Of Gen. Rosecrans that he nj yh
not " be intorfered with" as he was pushing on
with chance Of catching Floyds train'' and " was
pushing on to Raleigh"
Tie command Of Gen. Benham however, wa
pven 10. and assumed by Gen. Schonck, and after
Gen. Il. bad had two additional skirmshes with the
enemy and had killed and wounded Col Croghan
and some others and was stopping TO rest his AZ
fifteen miles from Fayetteville, and had cent report
10 Gen. Scheuck then twelve miles further 10 rear
han on NE prcrio1s day Of which tie closing words
were, goa can unite your force Th his and drirf
ne enemy through R1eigh fo-mOrror,' the reply
received was the following order. And j. Il possible
10 believe, rLai skaoca 10 be me fact that the same
hand which penned and gave Ills order, IL the same
that wrote the article III TIE C,HciHHat. Ga.efe,
stating that Eat the time Gen. Benham requested bib
own recall re-enforcements within eight miles
" him, pushing rapidly on Tie order reads an
follows:
"s, MttEs PROM FArs17E. Nov n. 1871.
Gen II. W. Bssuss. commanding isl. Brigade: ln view
n the imposilitv a. tcudrs sors 20 your coun-ud IN
~ prsssht state d ro,d and m cosdera9n Of the iisuo
he visorons pursuit you have made the retf-a,ng
directs that you dc' nulo tat pursuit. and al bsoA with
tan Of Pac males vh d'J. provision fof nee Of
your regime - nov ~ route 20 Ih WAGONS you haye
STAGES lftef rstDg your men, you will return by short
nsrches 70 Fa,et.s The 10Th n, gment ode cd 10
ofce you upon receipt your bret dph ha' not yet com
1rted one ha the dsisrcs and out be unable
10 reach yea tonight The order 70 It viii be couhsrmAnted
The oeaeEa commanding deei. that you vi" De especially
~ O''' ~ Dig DOM PiATT, Asst Adj. Ten"
The review Of this shows the following facts: That
Gen. Rosecr.ns if he had plan to catch Floyd at
The angle of the rivers near Gauey Bridge, did not
make any preparation for carrying it ont by having,
Or permitting to be prepared, the proper means OF
crossing his troops that, when he could hot concen
tratc 900 men under Schenck to attack Floyd, he |
would not permit Benham 10 20 with bis ,, 900 men,
in body, as he asked TO, to gain the Of Floyd,
but that, while Benham was moving in hot pursuit, |
Schenck took command Of him, and finding himself
twelve miles further in rear Of Benham the second
day than he was the first, he, in reply to the nvi-
tation from Benham 10 come and drtrs Floyd
lhrouek Raleigh the next day, rent him directions 10
abandon he pursuit and return 10 Fayetteville, |
thereby giving up all hope of securing the traitor
his forces.
Ii may be remarked further in relation TO this mat.
Ter, that Benham pursued Gen. Garnett for fifty |
hour before he caught him in his escape from Laurel
Ill., and that for tie lat Fix hours il WIS in violation
Of the orders, first conditional, and aiterward posi-
i've, of Gen. Morris, TO stop that pursuit. But then
Benlam knew lie had a friend and an honest public
servant in the General who gave those orders. In
this case he was ordered back after a 2i.hours pur-
suit, and when be was sure that eight hours more