The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1863-01-28

EDIToRs TINES. - Gentlemen: My atten.
ton has this moment been called to letter
published il, the Cbichso Tribune OF the
Goth from Huntsville i,npu,ing cowcrdice
to Col Merrill The following letter from
Capt. Crookc, whom We MI know to be
man Of truth and honor will put q Quietus
upon the vile calumny. may say more
upon this subj in future.
RUBEN NoBLE.
.'.' HousroN, Mo-, Jan. 10, 1863.
Reuben Nobic-DeAr Sir: When returned
to This place last Thursday, after having been
to Hart>vi lille and Lebanon, with the command
under Col. Merrill, found awaiting me let
ter from yourself, dated Dec. Sd, but which
presume was written Jan. 3D.. thank you for
writing me, but do not think Am entitled to
| any particular commentator for the course l
took iE reterence TO the vile conspiracy against
Col Merrill. I had thought for some time
past that the spirit evincsd against him had
subsidized that in fact his own sturdy, honesty
OF character, and the exhibition OF his practical
good seilse, on all occasions, had abashed his
enemies and crushed the conspiracy. But un-
fortunately, tind that the battle Of Huntsville,
where the Col. cOmnanded, has furnished
another opportunity Tor vulgar minds to display
their spleen, and insubornatc officers their
animOsity With Il reckless disregard Of truth.
1t has been asse ted over and over again, that
in that action he was guilty OF cowarsiice that
after the commencement Of the fight he was
never seen upon the battle field, and that when
the retreat was ordered, he left the 2ist to their
fate. 1t will ever be source Of qualification
to me that J was in that engagement myself,
AMI that the Osition | occupied, enables me to
give The most emphatic lie to the first two
calumnes ! have mentioned. At the very
commencement OF the action, WAS ordered to
take the men under my immediate command,
Co 3 H. q, and support the artillery. and was
engaged in that service during the entire fight,
and know that ut least twice that afternoon,
when grape aud canister fell like hail around
US. Col. Merrill rode up to see how we were
progressing, and the GOODNESS and courage dis
played by him, won my admiration and secured
my confidence.
I saw him at a greater distance on other oc.
casions, but always engaged in the line Of his
duty, and in position where his personal safety
was not by any means assured As to his abi
tiles rs a commander, can only say that
m ms qualities are proved by the result OF his
actions, and Col Merrill's most active enemies
do not attempt 10 deny that every position &C.
c"pied by our troops that day, were taken by
his express orders, ami the fact that il, those
positions chosen by him, our little force OF less
than 900 men. was enabled to engage and re.
pulse with severe loss. force Of SIX times their
number, with comparatively little loss to our
selves, dem ,,,strates the souldhcss of his judg.
ment in that respect. The truth is undcnlable,
that considering the disparity OF forces, we Won
- most glorious victory, and if any one doubts
that Col. Merrill WAS emnentIy instrumental
in securing that result, let him tell me Gods
name whose was the directing mind. As to
his leaving the 2lSt on the field, it CAN be prov.
NJ In 81.
Dunlap to retire. Maj. Dufield, Of the Sd
Iowa Cavalry, was with him ut the time, and
the failure Of Col. Dunlap to receive the order,
must be deemed one Of the accidents Of bat.
tie but in this connection, let the add that the
Orderly who was sent with the order, states
emphatcally that he gave it.
WIN. D. CRooxH.