Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1862-09-12

A0epet al tltety WAS pay iIoin tue Hll
on our troops.
Generals who fought with the most
heroic courage and the most soldierly
ability, whose rraises'ar in every ones
mouth, speak of the battles in which
they have just won honest fame with
chagrin and remorse. Their own efforts
became futile from the incompetence of
their Commanding General
/ S@id one to mes MUST, ask to. lhe-re,A
lieved, unless General Pope is removed.
l Can not see my men murdered"
| met a General who had led his di-
vision in the hottest of the fight with he
roic courage and veteran skill He said,
=" have lost thousand men | dare not
go into the hospital and look in the faces
of those wounded men who, know, have
shed their blood bravely and in vain 7"
1t was Carl Shurtz.
The successful movement Of the Reb-
els upon the flank and rear of General
Pope must be traced not to his want of
proper means of information, but to his
refusal to regard the intelligence that
was sent him. He was officially inform
ed of it, but would not believe it, would
not even take reasonable precautions
against its possibility. He actually with
drew Sigel's Corps from his exposed flank
while the enemy were turning that point.
Officers stationed in front on the Kappa
hammock line saw for three days the con-
slant clouds of dust which announced
the moving columns of the enemy, but
to the eye Of the General they gave no
sign. He persisted in regarding their
success at Catlett's as a mere cavalry
dash, and was hardly convinced by Ma
nassas that the enemy had gained his rear
in force From that hour his move
ments have been followed by nothing but
4 disaster
But it is needless, and have no time
to accumulate evidence on such points
Half the strength of an army is conf
dence in its commander. That conf
dence is not given to General Pope.
! Flo opinion Of his troops is unanimously
against him. | sev numerous officers of,
all ranks in almost every corps &C. he
army. There is no dissent or disagree
ment They will not, can hot fight
again under Pope with confidence. The
army of Virginia demands General.
] state these facts as | find them, ex-
pressing no other opinion than what
moulds itself out of the facts Hereto
fore have praised General Pope-some
friends of mine thought to literally. /
do not think So 1t is still my opinion
that down to the time when he arrived
on the Rappahannock his campaign was
pursued with ability, and was deservedly
successful. But from the moment he
set his foot this side the river there have
been only delay, disasters and retreat
That his army has lost confidence in him
is fact | am bound to record. If /
state it strongly it is because the i'm
preston suddenly received was equally
strong.
On Monday, there was no fight till
towards evening. Gen Howard, com
handing the First Brigade Of Gen. Sedg-
wick's Division, made an armed recon
noisanco on road leading northward
from Centreyille to Stuaft's house, on
the Little River Turnpike Gen. Sedg-
wick supported the movement with Gen.
GoNnan's brigade. Near the junction
Of the roads they came upon the enemy's
cavalry pickets, who fell back on the in
fantry pickets. The latter refused to be
driven in, but opened rapid, scattering
fire on Gen. Howard and bis escort, who
were in the advance. The enemy we're
finally compelled to unmask line of
battle extending along the turnpike and
in the woods nearly two miles, develop
ing cavalry and artillery, beside infant
ry. IL became evident that they we're
holding the position to the right in force,
or moving by that road ia heavy co.,
umns. In consequence Of Gen. Hoy
ards discoveries Gen. Kearncy was sent
to the support Of Gen. Reno, 4 who with
his divisions held tue extreme right Of
our position
The battle which followed in the eve
ming was fought during storm Of rain
and lightning and thunder, so severe
that the cannonadiDg was not heard ut the
front. Riding at The time on a recon
noisance some miles away with another
General, heard nothing Of the fight
till it was over. A clear account Of it
given me next morning by an officer
who was in the battle is contained in a
letter sent you yesterday.
Troops bad been moving during the
whole Of the day in all directions. 1t
was generally understood that Centre
vile was TO be abandoned An order Of
march was issued in the afternoon, and
the wagons Immediately began moving
to the rear The troops we're to march I
at night Most Of the tents were struck
at once. ! rode out beyond the crest Of
the bill to look at some dispositions Of
covering forces in front. The gathering
storm grew dark in the western sky, I
aud purple shades fell early over tie
gloomy battle field that lay hid in the /
thickcts covering the plain There we're
gffll the l0O hufa Which itoIforeI a..