Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1862-01-16
Rali3S Bluff.
The speech of Roscoe ConkliDg, Of Ne,

The speech of Roscoe Conklipg, Of New
York, in the House of Representatives,, on
the Balls Bluff blunder, was a most incl
sive and excoriating effort. He told the
story of the murderous imbecility of the
Balls Bluff affair by our officers, and
painted the fearful picture in vivid colors.
He says in conclusion. =
In the name of the brave and lamentsd
men who fell that day, out Of regard for
the living and the dead, out of regard for
the great interests to be affected by en- in
yestigatioD. | think all the circumstan-
ces connected with the planning and exc
cntion of the battle ought to be brought
to light. l hope they will be; hope the
committee appointed to investigate into
the conduct of the war will not overlook
the battle. l hope no apologies and no
private interests will dissuade from an in
vestigation into it, by any statements that
the revelations of the whole truth will be
detrimental TO the public service, come
from what quarter the statement may
do not think that, after the publication
of the report by the Adjutant General, in
reference to the division of Gen. Fremont,
tie publication of anything can be inju-
rious to anybody. In any court of justice,
at least according to The well settled prin-
ciples of equity and justice, the military
authorities who oppose the investigation
and the publication of the facts, would be
stopped from setting their vote against it.
Al all events, the House will be safe in
sentIlatiug the authors, and bolding up TO
public view, too, the authors of the great
est national calamity and disgrace which
has yet been talked of in Goth, and pub
lished in the streets of Askalon. want
it to be distinctly understood that push
this matter on the attention of the House
and the country on several points, each of
which call loudly for an explanation, if an
explanation, can be offered. In the first
place, the division of Gen. Mccall was
on the same side of the river with Lees
burg, within few hours march, and yet
was not employed in the attack, but an
other division was selected, lying on the
opposite side of the Potomac. Secondly,
the crossing place selected was one of the
worst and most dangerous that could have
been found. Third, there was want of
transportation, insomuch that means of
crossing absolutely indispensable were
wholly unprovided, although they might
have been easily procured. Fourth, the
number of troops sent over TO Balls Bluff
was wholly insufficient, and this though
more than was needed were close at hand.
Fifth, no reinforcements reached Col. Ba-
ker, although, aside from the command of
Gen. Nc. Call, there were troops and ar
tillery on both sides of the river within
four miles of the field of battle. All these
grounds of censure may be explainable; if
so, it is but just to the living and dead
that opportunity should be affored. If they
are not susceptible of explanation, for high
er reasons inquiries ought not to slumber.
We should know whether the Commander
in-Chief has taken pains to inquire who is
responsible for the disaster at Balls Bluff,
and we should make the inquiry with
view of obtaining an answer.