Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1862-06-05

l. 4 ucBicCtcu W say LnAb the enemy
IN their retreat burned the fine bridge
over Greenbrier river. Also, that they
threw away their blankets, coats, hats,
&c. Burning the bridge prevented US
from following the enemy. H. NJ.
tFor the Galhpolis Journal.l
CAMP No. S, NEAR CoRINTH. MIss.,l
May "a, 1852.
EDIroR GALLIPoLIs JouRNAL:-More
than a month has passed since the bat
tie Of Shiloh, time enough to remove
all misapprehensions, and show in the
clear light Of history the conduct of
each in that great conflict. A rumor
has reached US that certain persons,
some Of them those who never faced
hostile bullets, have been charging mis-
conduct on our Captain in that battle.
| shall make no counter charges, but
simply give the facts, leaving those
facts to vindicate themselves.
Already you know, how we were
surprised Sunday morning, how we
formed and fred on the enemy, how
by our Colonel we were ordered to re-
treat, how we did retreat and were
called towards for it, how we rallied,
retreated again, and still again, how,
during this time, we were abandoned
by our Colonel. and how for this reason
we fell into such confusion, that a good
opportunity, well improved by them.
presented itself to all towards to seek
the friendly shelter of the river bank
all this you already know. Permit me
to add what no one denies, that during
all this time our Captain acted as q
brave man should act.
But some hours after, while we were
lying in reserve a mile from any fighting,
sndwhen there was no prospect Of our
having any fighting to do, for some time
our Captain was necessarily called away.
Ere he returned an order came. moving
our regiment nearly mile 10 the front.
After the move it was simply impossi-
bic for any one who did not know where
our new position was, TO find US. Ev-
cry thing was in confusion, such eonfu- :
sioa as Won. at home can scarcely im.A
agine, who never saw Q DattIe, and get
your ideas from illustrated papers, or
think Of it as two long lines Of men
standing up and shooting at each other.
This was unfortunate for him, and can
not be charged as an Intentional sban-
donment of his company on the part of
our Captain.
Many officers when, ike him, they
were unable to find their commands, re-
tired to the river bank and awaited re-
sults-our Captain collected what he
could of his company and regiment
and fought in another regiment. Which
is the more honorable?
Tuesday forenoon after the battle our
brigade was sent in pursuit Of the enc
my. Three miles fiom camp their Tex
as Rangers made sudden dash, scat
tering our cavalry and riding over the
77th Ohio ere they had time to fix bay
onets. Then they charged on US, COM
ing so near as to wound Corporal Meek
of our company with a revolver. No
one, officer or man, in the company
flinched. Our Captain was with US,
on picket, and wherever we have been
in danger since, l can testify to the
bravery Of our Captain, who is the only
commissioned officer present, as well as
to the general bravery Of the men.
We anticipate another battle ere
long. This will give another oppoltu-
nifty to all whom accident has heretofore
deprived of chance to fully show
Till then farewell.
will only say that Col. Hilderbrand's
brigade, in which we were, has been
broken up, and we are now brigaded
with the 48th, 10th, and 7ad Ohio.
formerly, perhaps still, Col. Buckland's
brigade, though rumor has it that
Brigadier General Of new creation has
been assigned to this brigade.
Please request the neighboring papers
10 copy this last remark that our friends
At home may know our whereabouts.
NJ. r. B., Co. II, 53d o. V. l.