Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1861-08-07
Statement ofCoI. Miles sc.


ALEXANDRIA. Va, July 81. 1861 Ed
tor of the Star Dear Sir-Will you please
give place in your columns to short reply
from an old soldier in correction of Col Rich
ardson's report, as published In this morn
ing's lSun Perhaps 10 one has ever before
been hunted with more assidious, malicious
vituperation and falsehood since the battle of
of Bull Run, than myself. My nare, L am
told. has been a by word In the streets of
| Washington and its bar rooms for everything
derogatory TO my character. 1t was stated
that | had deserted to the enemy; [ was a
traitor, being from Maryland, sympathiser;
gave the order to retreat, was In arrest; and
now, by Col Richardson's report, drunk.
I shall not copy Richardson's report. but
correct the errors he has committed. leaving
t. his future days remorse he may feel at
the irreparable injury he has inflicted on an
old brother officer
Teh order to retreat from Black kburn's Ford
as communicated by my staff officer, emana-
ted from General MDowell, who directed
two of my brigades to march on the Warren.
ton road as far as the bridge on Cub creek
| Iisent my Adjutant General, Captain Vincent,
! to bring up Davies and Richardson briga2es,
while gave the order for Blenker's brigade
at Centerville 70 proceed down the Warren
| ton road I accompanied these troops part
of the way, eudeavoring to collect and halt
the routed soldiers l returned TO Center
vile heights as Col. Richardson with his bfi-
gade were coming into line of battle, facing
BlackburD's Ford. His position was well
chosen, and L turned my attention to the
placing of Davies brigade aud the batteries.
A part of Davies command was placed IN
echelon OF regiments, be hind fences, in sup
port of Richardson another portion in re-
serve, in support of Hunts and TitbaiPs bat
! teries.
After completing these arrangements | re-
| turned to Blenker's brigade, now near a nile
| from Centerville heights, took regiment 20
| to cover Green's battery. sud then returned
| to the heights. When l arrived there, jus:
before dusk, found all my arrangements of
defence had been changed nor could a>cer-
tain who had ordered it, for General NJ Dow
ell was not on the field. Colonel Richard
son was the first person | spoke to after pas
/ sing Captain Fry he was leading his regi-
ment into line of battle on the crest of the
/ hill, and directly IN the way of the batteries
| in the rear. 1t was here the conversation
between myself and the Colonel toUk place,
which he alludedtO IN his report. General
| M'Dowel just afterwards came into the field
and | appealed earnestly to him to permit NE
to command my div ison. and protested agaius;
the faulty disposition to resist an attack. He
replied by taking command himself, and re-
/ lieved me
! Col. Richardson states a conversation with
Lieut. Colonel Stephens of his command.
never saw Colonel Stephens to NY knowledge
| never gave him, or any one, the order to
deploy his column the order mus: have been
emanated from some one else, aud hence my
misfortune for on his impression that | was
drunk, those not not Immediately connected
with me, rung it over the field. without in
quiry or investigation. This is all that is
proper for me to say at this time. as have
called for court to investigate the whole
| transaction. Those who have read Richad-
sons rerort, will confer favor to compare
this statement with 1.-THE discrepancies are
CHASING, the errors by deductions apparent.
L. S. MILES. Colonel Second Iufautry.