The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-05-30
Cause OfHOOkers Defeat.


Cause OfHOOkers Defeat.
BROOKS STATION, VA, May II, '63.
| While much has been written in praise,
| palliation, and censure of the men of the
| 18th army corps, have seen in none of the
| journals any correct statement in detail of
| the important part and position taken by
them in the recent engagement on the
RappahannOck. When we remember, al
so, that upon this corps has hinged all that
may be of reverse or defeat of General
Rockers most admirable plans and splen-
did developments of them, it is of conse-
quence that not only the truth, but the
whole truth, be stated. Whatever may
have been the degree of success won by
the General Government, land / claim it
was great. and the Potomac army so deem
it to-day it cannot be denied that a need
less disaster was permitted to happen at
Charlottesville. Upon whom rests the
| fault?
The great generator Of panic is surprise.
Surprise, especially in broad daylight, is
most hated by all military commanders,
because in the majority of cases it is synon-
nous with incompetency, stupidity, or
treachery. That one brigade (German)
behaved badly is admitted; that they ran,
panic-stricken through the lines of the 9TH
er brigades, discouraging them is true;
but that the fault was the commanders
and that the result must have been the
same with any troops, Of any condition of
discipline or nationality, in from three to
five minutes, is most certain, as the public
may Judge when / state the facts.
| The line of battle taken by the 18th corps
was formed early Saturday morning and
kept during the day. 1t was long, weak
line, that might have been pierced at al
most any point; and, making it still feebler,
one brigade was detached to pursue the
retreating (?) rebels! No advantage Of
ground was gained by thus extending it.
Ritle-p pits had been dug along the front,
affording our troops large measure of
safety while firing upon the enemy, at
tempting to sweep over the open field be-
| fore them.
Meanwhile, the rebels were busy trying
our lines, in order to seize upon and profit
by its weak points. About noon ii became
quite evident they had made their decision,
for large bodies were distinctly seen pass
ing along the Kathanpin Road in the direc-
ton of our right flank. The road branches
off from the plank road, eight miles from
Fredericksburg, at a place called Decker's.
At Ford's Tavern ,fourmiles from Decker's,
it receives Brooks road, running almost at
| right angles with it, and interSectlng the
plank road and the old turnpike. CA glance
at any one of the published maps or dia-
grams of the late fight will show the great
facility these roadways gave for massing
forces upon our right.) Their course and
relation to each other ought to have sug-
gested the probability of the movement,
and caused such disposition of forces as
would have enabled us to meet it promptly
and effectually. But the wisest of men
| seem fated to seasons of stupidity. The
| commander of the first division was not
aware OF the existence Of the roads, or the
topography of the locality. When asked
by one of his regimental commanders: "Do
YOU know where you are?" he answered,
mo, don't know as l dor ''Do you
know anything of the roads Of this sec
tom" s'No.''
When called off at last without command
of any general officer, they broke by files
and companies, but reformed behind the
| gallant 18th Ohio. cite the 25th not that
they did better than others, but to show the
consummate skill with which the division
was handled. The 18th and 18th Ohio regi-
ments acquitted themselves like men who
had country and honor to defend, while
the 18th Connecticut, although under fire
for the first time, eqUaled the most veteran
in splendid conduct. The loss in McLean's
brigade is very great, both in the ranks
and in the field officers. The noble Riley
is dead. The heroic Richardson is danger
ously wounded. TIE brave and undaunt-
ed Noble, faint from loss of blood, leaves
the field to his gallant Lieutenant Colonel
Walter, who gave up his life in the very
act of entreating his men to stand fast by
of his love.
This same regimental officer then went
to an old resident Yankee clock peddler'
and got description of them, and then
made rough diagram, and brought it to
his undisturbed general! But even after
this he failed to appreciate the significance
of these numerous roads as channel for
the rapid movement of troops. The day
wore idly away with us, while the rebels
were perfecting their plans. At about D..
m. Capt. Santer, Co. B, 55th Ohio, out on
picket, sent in his first sergeant with word
that the enemy was massing on the ex-
j IRENE right with infantry and artillery
subsequently scouts from the 18th Ohio
brought the General the intelligence that
the enemy were in full force upon our right.
+ After while cavalry officer came dash
ing down the road, announcing that the
enemy were in full force on our right with
artillery! These thrice-repeated warnings
ought to have reused the most lethargit
keeper Of such holy interests as were as
sembling in the balances of that hour. Blu
they fell upon ears that needed them not
, No change of front was ordered. No ade
quate distractions were placed in the way
of the advancing hosts. The artillery al
remained in its former position, ready tt
repel only a front attack-the front anC
flank skirmishers had not even line o
communication with each other! Such was
the position of affairs with the lst division
occupying the extreme right. No wonder
, the fear became general and painfully evi
dent to every subordinate officer, that oul
| flank was being turned!
At 6 p. m. the attack commenced without
| premonition. No mounted sentinel came
galloping up with the news; but very littl,
. of picket firing heralded it. The first mote
Q of warning that the shock had come, was
T the shock itself. A tremendous volley O
musketry, Immediately followed by de-
, LUCE ofgrape and canister, and the rebels