Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-06-18
Gen. Caseys Division at the Battle of Fair Oaks

Gen casey's Division at the Battle of Fair Oaks
correspondent of the New York Times,
who was with Casey's Division when it was
attacked, and who has taken especial pains to
come at the truth, defends that Division from
the aspertions which have been cast upon it,
He says:
This list of over 100 killed and wounded,
| tells the story of where Casey's Division was
on the day of the battle of Fair Oaks. As
he had, in fact, less than s. 900 men actually
in the fight, this list shows a percentage of
over one fifth of his command injured, not to
speak of many others who suffer from contr-
sions and slight wounds, not bringing them
under the surgeons care | know that large
list of casualties is not always proof of desper-
ate fighting. but there is other evidence to
prove that Gen. McClellan's dispatch of June
lst was cruell! unjust to brave men made the
victims of untoward circumstances. This |
find to be the impression here, so far as |
learn it, and the proof of the fact is such that
the Commander-iB. Chief has modified his
views, though not yet, perhaps, making public
acknOwled gment of the fact.
The simple truth is, Gen. Mcclellan has re-
peated the same mistake he made at Williams
burg, IN giving to the country a hasty dis
patch, based upon partial and biased state
ments, before he had time to inform himself
of the real facts of the case. In neither case
was injustice intended, but it is our Generals
misfortune to be too ready to believe what
comes to him from ssofficia sources' Had
he the experience of an army correspondent
he would have learned that the er parte state
ment OF one General in regard to another was
no: a thing to swear by, or to base a report
upon which should make or mar the public
reputation of men who were periling life and
limb in cause as dear to them as to him.
He should not forget that his lightest word of
Instrumentation nf nj
sure, and it should never be given hastily or
carelessly. He was not the ground that
day; he never saw or heard from Gen. Casey
in regard to his division, and depended for
the impression of its conduct principally upon
the statements OF those whom a rigid investi-
tion might prove themselves the chief sinners
in this affair.
The writer states that Gen. Casey, with the
weakest Division in the army, had the most
exposed position, being two miles from any
and his situation was such as to in |
vite an attack he was there also contrary to |
his own judgment. The writer further says |
For from two and one half to three hours,
with force of less than five thousand, (who |
were not reinforced by single man) Gen |
Casey wthst ood the furious onset of at least |
forty thousand rebels, the flower of the South |
ern army. That after desperate resistance |
his division retired before overwhelming num- |
bers, is true. That it retired discred itably is |
not true, for they left third Of their little |
number on the battlefield, killed wounded |
and missing. The dead bodies of the rebels |
strewing the field in front of Gen. Casey's |
position, are silent witnesses of the of the hon
orable resistance of his division.
If it is so unaccountabe that Gen. Casey
eil back before the overwhelming force that
attacked him, how to account for the
fact that Gen. Couch's division and General
Kearney's troops were obliged to d o the same,
and that it was not until the next day that our
troops advanced hey ond the third line of de-
fences, to which they were forced back 1t
IS true that some of Gen. Casey's troops are
he proper subjects of censure, though much
nay be excused to raw troops, contending
With great odds but it is not just that those
Who so long endured the burden and heat of
hat day should have public dishonor added to
he bitterness of defeat. Is this the reward of
,rave men who are to go MANNED and halting
through life Is such to be the legacy of the
lead to those who survive them
Private feelings, it is true should not be
weighed against the public interest; but let
Is have care lest this suffer from the unjust
reatment of those whose misfortune is mis-
judged as crime. Gen. Casey's Division
hould not be made a scapegoat for military
'lunders, the responsibility for which rests
elsewhere, nor should they be suffered to
lightly escape censure if guilty OF the conduct
harged against them. AS it is, Gen. Nc
,lellan's dispatch has nearly used up what
vas left of the Division. Gen. Nagee has
etired from command of the First Brigade
util the matter is corrected, and many Off
ers are proposing to resign unless they are
n reoaiva what they conceiya tO he iustice