The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1862-09-18
NUMBER Is.
Ju.tic, 10 n wisconsin soldier.


your columns the statement herewith SENT
The matter has already been sufficiently unfor-
tunate and painful; but is rendered doubiy so
fromsthe fact that he is denied hearing in our
own home paper the Gazette, its editors ex~
pressing. at the same time, great friendship and
sympathy for him. but refusing solely on my &C
count am reliably informed that the edltors
of that paper base their refusal to grant him tins
poor privilege of making public the truth In the
case, upon the simple ground of enmty to me-
If convenient to comply with this request, you
will place me under lasting obligations L
would add nothing further than to say that my
two sons all that have, are now volunteered
private soldiers in the United States Army, in
18th Wisconsin Battery, at Corinth, under Gen
eral Hamilton, and should they, or either of
them. meet death on the battle field, the too
common fate of our soldiers, trust | may be
allowed place in your columns to announce
the fact. Truly yours,
DAVID NoGGLE.
September 3, 1862.
MEssRs EDIToRs.-Y gu are doubtless aware
that on the 10Th d ay of July, by a sentence OF
a general Court Martial convened at Harris
sons Landing, Va, 1 was dismissed from the
army of the United States upon charge oil mis-
behavior before the enemy, and was according
ly deprived of my command in the Second U.
S. Infantry whereupon l returned to my home,
at Evansville. While here l have preferred to
submit in silence to any imputatOns that might
be cast upon me, or to any mlsapprehehsloh
that might exist as to the facts OF my CASE ratb-
err than trouble the public with their narration.
But as am now again to leave GAINESVILLE IN
of my own choosing, and as life
at best is alike uncertain 10 the tlmid as we'll
as the courageous, and in justice to those who.
have kindly explained the circumstances under
which the charge was preferred against me,
ask you to publish as personal favor, the
suhioined letters and statement. will only
preface them by saying that was in the series
of battles before Richmond, commencing on the
Goth day of June and continuing until the third
day of July, during which was repeatedly I'M
der heavy fire from the enemy.
At the battle of Gaines Mill, after being un>
der fire some four hours, and while advancing
upon the enemy at about four o'clock in the at~
ternoon, | was appealed to by a wounded ottl-
Ger t. assist him from the field. At first paid
no attention to his cries for aid, bat on excialm-
ing for Gods sake Lieutenant, assist me OF
the field turned and saw that it was Capt
Duryea, of the New York Zouaves. could no
longer hesitate; at once, assisted by asoldler
carried MIN 10 the rear, and here l committed
the blunder (for / confess it was blund erjtlat
has caused myself and friends much sorrow.
As soon as l discovered my error, sought by
every means in my power to rejoiu my regi-
ment; but let those who mingled i'll that fearful
conflict of thousands and tens of thousands OF
men say why was not at once successful III
the object of nv search. For this | was dis
charged | find no fault with the sentence. by
strict military rules it was, perhaps, correct
should not have left my company for any pur-
pose whatever But in the moment CT exclte>
ment committed technical error and must
bear the consequences.
To those who know me, perhaps the esrcum-
stances under which l entered the army will
furnish some grounds of excuse Tor the mistake
[ committed. The decision must rest wish
them. not with me- As to the future course l
have no promises to maze. as have been
Judged by my acts in the past, so must be III
the future. On the application OF my friends,
President Lincoln did me the kindness to say
that the evidence was slight and unsatisfactory
and that if Gen. Mcclellan would consent to 1t,
i: would be his pleasure to restore me to my
former position. How that my be, am un~
able to say.
To those who have so kindly stood by me in
these, the dark hours of my life, here ackiloWl-
edge feeling of gratitude that words cannot
express. With others, il there b. any, nave no
fault TO find
Ii by my efforts the life of Capt. Duryea shall
have been saved "a fact which even to this time
have been unable to aseertain) this will IN no
small measure, compensate me Tor my mlstor~
tune. If the contrary shall be abe case, then
can only wish that it was different.
In conclusion, | will add that have proeur-
ed an authentic copy Of the proceedings OF the
Court Martial which l leave with my father
aud to which cordially invite the attention OF
iii whether friends or foes, who would know
more of the details of my case
Hoping you will pardon me, for trespasSing
this much upon your columns, / am very re-
specially yours o.. = ,,.,,,,-,s
JANEsvlLLE, Sept, Ist., A. D. 1862.
fCopy of a letter from Lieut. Col. VIM. Chap
man. of the Third United States Infantry, act
inc as colonel commanding the Second United
St9tes Infantry, and President Of the Court
Martial above Mentioned.
'A''i ~['a CAMP OF THE SECOND BRIGLDE. I
Near uarrison's Landing, Va, July ~, lebz. /
Mr.. Chas L. Noggle, OF WisconsinJoined the
canond Regiment Of United STATES Infantry on
the oath day of May, at Coal Hsrbor, Virginia
H. is Young inexperienced, and has but linz
ited knowledge Of the Military profession. On
tha 9th of June following, the Second Infants
rv went into action at Gaines Mil. Leuten
AMI Noggle, being then with the regiment and
advancing upon the enemy, met wounded or
Ca Of tie Fifth New York Zouaves, and yield
a5 r. his entreaties to assist him from tie field
Dnrinp his absence ON this errand of mercy
40 Sacond Infantry was thrown into some con
s1sion nv the heavy fire of the enemy. In re-
tnr,iro TO reioin his regiment, he met and in
a',;n.5 of Lent. John S. Poland, ofSecond In
49, and Abide Camp, where the Second
Infartrv was 10 be found. Lieut.. Poland does
nat remember what reply he made TO this in~
nnirv. as he was then on his way TO ascertain
tba position of the Second Infantry. Lieut.
Nogole was unable, it appears, to find his regl-
noe51. and therefore did not join it until that
nri1,;nr between the hours of seven and eight
These facts have gathered from conversa-
ions With officers of the Second Infantry and
others since Lieut.. Noggle's trial L am no"
satisfied. and the opinion seems TO be pretty
General that his absence from his regiment was
66nrelv accidental, and not for the purpose OF
evading danger or duty,
WIN. CHAPMAN, Lieut. Col. Sd Inf,
Com I'd Brig, Sykes Div.
A conv of n letter from Capt Walker ofthe
Third .. S. Infantry, acting Colonel command
ing said regiment
To all to 1oIton 1t naGy come :: ....
desire to state that never saw Lieut.. Nog'
o,le hut once before the Court Martial; that was
9hont tina 18th of June this was our hrst ac'
Tnaintance. On that occasion we were on uu-
~ tooether. / commanded the piche' guaiu
at the lower bridge on the ChlcEalD4 .h ~,
during the afternoon the f besv u me n e4S
was Sog yS v iSSy Vas on nq easTd
p arrlcur"Gi his company, moving about from
ooin to point where duty required, directing
ici,ets and their movements along the line.
HIS lid his duty fearlessly, bravey and well as
soldier and as an officer.
THos w. WALKER. # "
Captain Third Infantry,
~ Sykes Brigade.
A copy of a letter from Lieut.. Col. VIM. Chap
man. of the Third United States Infantry, act
ing Colonel commanding the Second United
States Infantry. to David Noggle, bearing date
August I'd, 1852 ,., Y.
August I'd, 1889
HONOR ABLE DAVID NoGGLE.-DeGr SIR /;
| received yours Of July 23d, late last evening
/ gave your son letter stating the clrcum-
stances as related to me by officers OF the oecI