Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1863-07-21
10 the Editors Of The Enquiytr:
CAVALRY CANT, RIcxs' MILL, !
July Is, 1868.

IL t"e EaHofSc| nc fWIHHtF:
CAVALRY CAMr RIcxs' MILL,
July Is, 1853.
| Gentlemen: | really have such 4 loathinc
for the otfcious aud undigntied course of Mr..
John IL. TllllngLast, i'll his publications in
| the "Enquircr,' that feel strong disincli-
| nation to take any further notice of him. In
both Of his letters he displays such woful ig-
nOrance and disregard Of the facts of which
he processes 10 give an account that one is at
great loss To imagine the motirc which
prompts him thus to expose himself lie as
sertS that Capt y. was IN supporting distance
when. by a t'mety appearance at tie Jord,
tie enemy might haze Gesn precentcd from
crossing the rtrsr" Now, every man who
knows where the ford is--that it is quarter
Of mile beiow the bridge, and one mile from
where | was, i'll the county road near Mr..
Thomas gate-will know how utterly stupid
and silly the above assertion is. Mr.. u. may
be Il faithful and earnest chaplain, but he Is
certainly not good historian, especially in
giving accounts OF facts of which he knOrS
nothing. l did not before the fight, and I'M
der the then existing circumstances | could
not know anything vi the ford, nor of the
| forces aud detenceS 1T the South Anna bridge,
| nor Of the position and strength Of the enemy.
| But to show my readiness to do all | could TO
| assist the garrison, | sent courier to the COM
mander to convey to me his commands; and at
the moment this young man reported to Lieut.
Col. Hargrove, the enemy made their appear
aBce in Mr.. Thomas wheat field Oh the flank
of our forces; and, as he reported to me, he was
the only person at the bridge who escaped
| But, Query? Why was not the ford guarded
by tn" garrison, ii they knew it was there =
lpIpnU tbnrn IN a truar ri pf 81 mi thnrap
If SO, what became Of them? Did the brave
commander himself know anything Of the
flank movement till the enemy had crossed the
| river and was surrounding them? Was it not
even a surprise TO him? Whether these things
are so or not, however why should be blamed
| for not doing what was not done by the troops
| who had been placed there for the special de-
fence Of the bridge: In my opinion, no one is
to tiamc for the tall Of the bridge and garrison,
! and it is iniquitouSly unjust in the man, who
himself was not ut the bridge, (but, according
TO my information, ,caS or his wGy 10 Richmond
| at tie time,) TO cast imputatiuns upon the vera
city and courage Of 4 Confederate officer and u
Elrginian, when it involves his own character
! for truth and honesty Of purpose, as Caro-
| linian and L chaplain in the Confederate States
| Army. ThuSe WHO may he disposed to doubt
| my character for truthtulneSs, | can, with con-
| tidencc, refer to all who know me: and as re-
CARDS my courage rs = soldier, | refer to Maj.
| Gel. Magruder' report OF the battles around
Richmond, and to his testimonial Of my COLI
| duct while on his staff, which | now have in
| my possession.
here dismiss this valiant knight of the
Golden pen. this Don Quizotte, to redress
all the real or imaginary WRONGS Of the
| North Carolina State Troops" leaving him
securely in his position, which always takes
him to the rear, in battle ;-with IN apology to
You and TO the public, for occupying SO much
of your valuable paper, in these times of such
great peril. and, with IL worl OF advice 10 Mr..
T.. that ii his comtaiiveness is SO irrepressibl",
let him quit the rsar and come 10 the front,
and We will unite in battling with the public
enemies of our country, and. not with its
| friends. With much respect,
Your obdt serv't.,
l.. ". ALLEN.
Capt. Of Cavalry, Col. Godwin's batt'n.