Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1863-10-20
WHERE TIE BLAME ltESTS-THE
BATTLE OF CIIICKAMAUGA.

BATTLE OF Cl11CkAMAUGA.
1t is stated now thMt Gen. D. II. Hill, and
not Gen. Polk, was the officer whose failure to
make the attack at the proper time, prevent
ed Gen. Bragg from accomplishing all that
was anticipated at the battle Of Chicknmauga.
A correspondent of the Savannah "Rcpubli-
can," writing from NEAR Chattanooga, Oct.
"a" under the signature Of "Tont 10 Monde"
says:
"The truth regarding the tardiness with
which the great advantages were followed up
in our last signal victory over Rnsecrans be-
gins slowly to unfold itself, and Gen. Bragg
il cxonerated from shouldering the blame.
Gen. Polk has been arrested, of course by
Gen. Bragg. What for On Monday morn
ing Gen. Polk had orders to move rapidly
forward at daylight and attack the enemy,
either before he got within the Publications nc
Chattanooga, or within them. as he might find
him. Gen. Bragg supposed, with every rca-
son justly, that his disordered ranks could not
he organized before light, and a sudden attack
in such q dcmoralized condition, rs he was
forced from tho field on Sunday night, would
increase the rout anil result in his entire de-
Struction. General Folks command did not
move until near l2 NJ, 80 the rumor has it-at
least, it is no doubt true, he did not get under
way until very late in the day. The result is,
Rosecraus; improved the time allowed him, got
his shattered regiment together again, formed
them behind the earth-works, and placed his
guns in position in the strong batteries which
surround the rear of the town. What excuse
was offered for sacrificing the fruits of the
most favorable victory we have had in the
war? Gen. Polk, so rumor again has it, At
tachcS the blame to General D. II. Hill. Gen.
Uili's command, it seems, was ordered by
Gen. Polk tn execute the command Of General
Bragg, and move forward at daylight, to make
the attack. When asked why he did no:
move. his excuse was that his men had no ra-
tons and ne would not fight them without
something to cat. IF this prove true, he de.
serves to be cashicrcd either for having no ra-
tions for his men or for not moving forward
without them in such on important emergen.
oy. 1t is very certain Tor it should bel that
they had something to eat the day before, and
it is yet to lie seen when Southern soldiers are
not ready to move under more trying circnm-
stances than privntiOns of rations for "a hours.
The neglect of such weighty duties where so
much of Our interest was involved, hardly ad.
mits an excuse. and the shortest way to guard
against such dreadful contingencies in future,
is to do away, as early as possible; with lead.
ers who haze such bad luck" It is to he
hoped a better face may he put on the matter
than at present shows itself in the countenance
Of Madame Rumor as she travels about camp.
In confederation of the above, "P. W. A."
another correspondent of the Republican"
writing under date Of the Sth inst, says:
Il was in error in saying that. in the late
battle. Polk commanded on the right, Hill in
the centre and Longstrect the left. There
were but two grand divisions of the army the
right wing, commanded by Polk, aud the left
wing, commanded by Longstreet. Hill was
under Polk, rs Bucknor vas under Longstrcet;
and it is said that Hill is the officer who is
really responsible for the failure to attack at
sunrise on Sunday morning, and not Polk,
who, it is affirmed issued orders for his COM
mand to move Mt that hour. General Bragg.
however, could not. it is said, look beyond
General Polk to his snbalterns, especially
since he neither complained of their delin-
Quency nor put them under arrest"