The Portland daily press., 1863-05-23
The 18th Army Corps at ChancelIorviIle

correspondent of the New York Tribune.
whose well chosen signature is "Scalptl," not
distinguishing accurately the corps from the
corpse of General Howa ard has applied himself
to the labor Of dissection with very much more
zeal than discretion. 81 have seen in none of
"the Journals" he says, "a correct statement
sin detail of the important part and position
"taken by them in the recent engagement on
'the Rappallamock." 1t is not surprising
circumstance that is correspondent has not
seen the journals of Maine; and yet he might
have anticipated that in this State, il anywhere,
the operations of Towards corps would be
carefully watched and accurately recorded;
aud in point of fact such correct statement"
as "Scalpel' desiderates, has been published
in the Press.
We know here therefore what Howard did
and did not do, and are accordingly prepared
TO yield something less than blind acquiescence
to the yoluble assertions OF the Tribune's cor
respondent. Here are three of them:
!. Upon this corps has hinged all that there may
be of reverse or defeat of Gen. Hooker's most adj
mirabe p ans.
2 The line of battle was long,
weak line, that might have been pierced AT almost
any point; and II still 1etDler, one brigade
was detached TO pursue the retreaiing y Rebels!
g. Ii Sigel had been in command OF his old corps.
none believe that such a surprise could have hap
pened.
Now then we propose to consider these
sertions, based on hearsay after the battle flor
this writer does not even pretend to have wit
messed what he describes in the light of the
faithful narrative of our own correspondent,
who was with the corps constantly. The third
Of these round affirmations is literally untrue,
and if it be understood to express merely the
opinion of the writer, it will soon appear that
the formation of his opinions is too hasty
process to entitle them TO any consideration
whatever.
The first and second paragraphs are mutually
contradictory. seen. Rockers plans" includ-
ed the disposition Of the 18th corps. The
attempt to turn the right flank of the army
was anticipated, and it was General Hooker's
sincere conviction that by arranging the three
divisions of Towards corps on three sides of a
hollow square, he had efiectually provided
against the danger. He said repeatedly that
he could hold this position even if driven
from his front lines. For the weakness of a
liut oNci thiS tiipiC hoht, oShCid
Hooker is responsible. 1t is not for US to crit
icise the maneuver; it is however one of what
"Scalpel" calls Seen Hooker's most admirable
plans" On account Of the great extent of the
line, but single brigade was left in reserve.
This brigade was sent to support Sickles, by
the direct order Of Gen. Hooker. The de-
tachment of this brigade then, ito pursue the
retreating p Rebels" was another of "Gen.
Rockers admirable plans" We are not ar
raigning Gen. Rockers dispositions, mind
we have wished simply to show, so clearly that
the most stupid correspondent who ever picked
up camp runors two weeks after a battle, and
imposed them upon reputable journal fol-
sagacious military criticism, cannot fail to see
it, that the faults, which are said to have occa-
stoned all there may be Of reverse or defeat Of
Gen. Hookers plans, are-if faults at at all
Gen. Hooker's own.
The deliberate attack upon Gen. Devens
does not at present concern us. 1t is the as
sertion that if Sigel had been in command o.
his old corps the surprise would not have oc
cured, with which we have to do. 1t must be
remembered, that General Howard was con