New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-10-28

Language implying, that while before the battle we
might have obtained terms then even terms eonid NOS
be extorted from the enemy. He states irther that he
then had the impression that my remarks reia ed TO-
or were the continuance of, Q conversation with
Gen. Butterfeld. When and whore did he get that
impression of still other conversation qualiying,
because it related 10 the subject OF which L was
speaking, and have II on his mind that nad osen
Talking with Gen. Butterfeld il he did not hear me
| tslkf Undoubtedly Gen. Morell does not remem
ber and cannot now STATE that conversation in It's
exact terms lie does not 70 pretend with BIN
the interview WA sudden, short, and abrupt. Inc
Government has produced Gen. PATTERNED,
who was longest with me, talked most
with me, and to whom General Morel
has referred us for the Interpretation OF my language
and the explanation Of his impressions that night,
and Gen. Buterfeld testihes that he described his
own feelings to mo, amentinR the order to retire, us
IA heart-breakipg one, that he and expressed some
for the brave fellows who had fought so gailsnty
aud were wounded, whom we regretted to leave BE-
bind, and then, as VIC encountered aloren, be nn-
derstood me to propose that somebody, or something
should remain With .hose wounded men, aud mol
abandon them and there stands the waols which
my accus,r has been abe TO present. But am per-
mitted now 10 appear asd speak for myself, ard 10
disclose ny unpre medstsd thoughts in that inter-
view. do hot claim thas If they ere Reasonable
solution OF the evidence sad not inconsistent win
It, they ought to be adopted AS TRUTH and declare
that while can no more repeat my precise word,
| than the witnesses who have spOken, gave ex-
preston to q sentiment OF hcelity to my command,
and asked tie officers abou! me whether, III tie
midst OF rulnous disorder which was passing oeioie
US, and which We could see and understand
1 we ought not 10 remain with our men ana
surrender rather than suffer them to be abandoned
IL may be easy TO recall tile real peril which at
thai instan, med to be impending over the army
and the eountfy. The ruin OF our cause yas stalOB
ris in the faces. We had rested FOX q month within
five miles OF sichmOnd, after marching up the penin
sull confident power and purpose 10 take That city
~ cOnquerOrs- Tho rank ana lille never ih9uBhI o.
ignouluous retreat. Bat Me battle OF Galnco Niil,
! where d corps commanded by Gen. Porter supposed
20 be the selected body Of ihe army, had chOrsn Ms
o-sn gr0uUd and awaited the Gssans, reGnited "a our
ingorious defeat. There were those who + IL bitter
grief at the result of that battle, aud tLous hi 1t
Ought TO have been, and wssh suitable G-i ori.0n
OF cur power colld have been won. But broke !
the hope aud spirit Of the men. IL came on thsir
bets aud pride with crushing elect HERE Wal
ap earnest drsire to retrieve the disasters consequent
on ,ha, humiliaing defeat, and when we found thai
there was hope yet--that from She James River IA
our b2se il intended 10 prosecute the caippalgn.
that expectation was ray Of suDsiiue through the
gloom IN when tho battle OK GAlnes's Mill had
ehroudsd the army Modification distress, inoig.
nation, disgust wcre tho emotions excited by the
Though. that our Spring and Summer campaign was
to prove abortion and = dl-grace, instead OF q
,roee,sloa OF victories. Thus depressed and
vet consoIaied, the army fought It's way TO
ihe James River. There was Joy IN the camp
Of err divis0n the planted their shelterteEIs
a. Turkey Bend the morning Of the 10Th OF June.
No naa ~ That division had a though; tia. there
was - he further retreat. In that spirit we re-
trnced COR march back TO Malvern Hill, and took
our several petitions 10 participate in the battle
then raging in our front. In that sglTit we fought
loxt day. Tie men were Inspired with the most
feryii and devoted purposes. They knew aud felt
tia. ih. OF the country hung on the issue OF
that struggle. They drove back the Rebels. Our
victory was complete. In such e moment, the heart
Of bin who has escaped the peris OF the battle IL
troubled with unwarrHnted sympathy, ~ he collects
lie wounded men together, and speaks Kind words,
arplauding their gallant conduct, and holding out
tue thoughts Of the igends and country who will
hear of llem, aud talk Of them in terms Of pride
and uraue. IL Wa In such frme Of mind that at
midnight We were reused from our bivouacs the bat
tlrfolt aud told that NUT begin again retreat.
An earthquake could not have produced asionish-
noni more startling. My brigade IRON the bat
tle-held. L. had been well disciplined, and we be-
gan tho retreat with ranks well closed. AS the proof
has revealed reaching the crest OF the hill, en-
deGyored TO preserve thar order IL was broken de-
-e,ite nv efforts % prevent II. the last Cen
orAl II the Diyision 60 leave that hill when in the
order Of march. had 1t been preserved, should have
been n, the head OF the column ! overlook Gen,
Buitsrield who was leaving without his brigade,
and deplOring tho retreat. which WIS Incompetent
sible 10 him and 10 We were abandoning our
brave fellows who wero bleeding IN The hospital and
On tie Geld behind ar. Where could we make bet.
Ter stand on the James Riyer than upon the yictor
Gus battlefield Of Malvernl An order lad been bro
ken. 10 my view, "a ] emerged from the
dello aud encountered Gen. Morell, for whom
had been waiting mora than an hour,
the whole power and morale of The proud division
with which had been associated, and OF the army
seemed annihi'Aied. The country never uearer
he brink OF ruin than M that moment. For the ,
non there apl cared 10 hayO other place 20 bold
and face tho Rebels. There hai been, from the mo-
f,.nt reached the crest Of Malvern Hill, in
tis darkness. TO decide who should get ahead.
las7 the danger. For myself, | had AZ that instant
70 care no thought Of personal peril but siing ing
0ense Of Indignation at what appeared 10 be nj
%. abandonment Of the army and the cause which
80 bad come 20 secure, and then appealed TO my
comrades 10 know whether at leGst would not
siay BY our men and surrender with them
-aiher than suffer them 10 be abandoned
Did iesire 20 avoid the personal hazards OF battle
by Joining the Rebels in the character OF prisoner
What possible advantage could result from that
Imprisonment, uirring, and foul dstonor were tue
means, on that hypothesis, by which those azsris {
were 70 be shunei. | had passed. hrough many bat
tea, winning. in the language of Gen. Morell. IN
iFrofEOachabe reputation for bravery. bad stood
y7ilbeut fnchlng under fire described before the
Coart rs terrific. What is there in the question
"Sh2'l we give ourselves up or go on - 20 show q
that 1 had suddenly become alarmed for myself
end was seeking safety through tie extraordinary !
process OF imprisonment IN the hands OF RebelsI
w oald man, with mind, propose such aschcme
OF safety 10 W General officers and brave Colonel
Of ms own commando IL respectfully insisted that
such conclusion would DO irrational. distorted wild
Let tho judgment Of this Court or the country be
what j. may, know that was never more faithful !
20 honor and duty than 81 that moment, 80 help me
my Creator; and 1t is hard ordeal to plss when AN
gppremediA.ed, indignant eypOstulaticn, prompted
by sense Of wrong and outrage mingled with hui q
manily md tenderness for the under my COM ,
mand, IA DIS 0red into charge ruirors to my repu
talion and usefulness, aud all that hold dear On
.aff ff.IF 3D..