Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-06-05


Our German Volunteer Troops
The Germans of New York city have given
expression to their sense of the Injustice that
has been done the German troops in the SER
vice, by the disposition shown in some quar-
tiers to undervalue them, and especially by
the representations that have been made in
regard to the behavior of the eleventh army
corps at the battle of Chancellorville. Their
complaint is not without reason. 1t is true
that some of the army officers, and also some
of the newspapers, with motive that is very
obvious, have systematically mlsrepresented
and undervalued the German troops; but
their influence has had more effect at the east
than at the west chiefly, we presume, because
the feeling that has controlled them has had
more representatives in the army of the Poto-
mac than anywhere else.
1t now appears that the first reports in re-
gard to the eleventh corps and lis officers at
the battle of Charlottesville, were gross ex-
aggerations. The reporters appear to have
taken as undoubted truth the secondhand
representations Of army officers and others.
who were willing to give currency to evil re-
ports in regard to that corps. Gen. Howard
has publicly contradicted some of these false
representations; and statement of all the
facts IN the case has given the matter an ap-
pearance very different from what it had at
nrSt. 1t seems that two or three regiments of
the corps were furiously attacked in the flank
by more than ten thousand rebels under Stone
wall jackson, and that they did not give way
until they had fired three rounds; and also
that the German regiments of the corps
were the last to retire. Gen. Won elisa
states that the German regiments under him
did not fall back until he gave them orders
to do so when the flank attack became over
whelming. A full and accurate account of
that affair has not yet been published; but
enough Is known to show that the first reports
were unjust
The country owes large debt of gratitude
to our German volunteer troops. They were
among the foremost to enter the service. The
German volunteers, under Lyon and Sigel.
were chiefly instrumental in battling the plots
of Claiborne +. jackson and saving Missouri
from the secessionists. 1t was the prompt
action Of the Germans that prevented Jack
son from taking possession of St. Louis, seiz-
ing the arsenal, and establishing bloody Sc
cession despotism in that state. The steadiness |
OF Blenker's brigade of Germans at the unfortu-
nate battle of Bull Run, and during the retreat
after that battle, was universally compliment
ed. The heroic behavior of Colonel Willicb's
German regiment in kentucky won general
admiration; and to German troops under
Gen. Turchin Gen. Mitchell was largely in
debted for his brilliant successes in Tennessee
and northern Alabama. But, as the war has
gone forward, every disloyal influence in the
north, and every agency that lacks heartiness
in its support of the war against the rebellion,
has assailed the German troops aud their Of
icers, because they are generally among the
most loyal and Incorporating haters of the
secession treason. Most of the Germans in
the field are earnes. anti-slavery men; and,
for this reason, they are misrepresented
sneered at, and undervalued by those who are
more loyal to slavery than to the government.
and who are more disposed to wage war
against ''abolitionism" than against treason.
And the ''West Point influence" which,
in many cases, has not seemed to be more
loyal than it should be, and is extremely ex-
elusive, and jealous of volunteer officers who
seem adapted to win reputation, has worked
persistently to under-rate the German troops
and their officers. The brave and skilful
Gen. Sigel, who deserves so well of the
country, has been special object of its at
tscks; and it has succeeded in driving him
from his command. The time will come
when the recollection that such things could
be done at time like this will excite general
establishment. The day of such prosecutions
is over in the army now commanded by Gen.
Rosecrans, and Gen. Turchin, Justly appre-
ciated by that able and accomplished COM
mander, is now in a position where the coun-
try will have the benefit of his Jealous LOYALTY
and great ability 1t is to be hoped that there |
will soon be an end to the crusade against |
Gen. Sigel, or an end to the influence of
those who carry it on.