The Portland daily press., 1863-05-30

CONDUCT OF SEIZURES DIVISION.
The following letter, Indignantly protesting
against the unjust and hasty judgment which
has condemned the Eleventh Corps to I'M
merited disgrace, has just been made public
HEADQUARTERS LIST Brigade, Sd Division,
18th Corps, Army Of Potomac, MAY 10, 1853.
To Mqjor Gen. C. Schurz, commanding Diris-
ion:
GENERAL, - The officers and men of this
brigade of your division, filed with indigna-
ton, come to me with newspapers in their
hands, and asking If such be the rewards they
may expect for the suiierings they have en-
dured aud the bravery they have displayed.
The most infamous falsehoods have been cir
culated through the press, concerning the
conduct of your division in the battle of the
I'd inst. 1t would seem as if a nest of vipers
had but waited for an suspicious moment to
spit out their poisonous ISLANDERS upon this
heretofore honored CORPS Little would it be
needed were these reports but emanations
from the prurient imaginations of those who
live by dipping their pens in the blood of the
slain, instead of standing up for the country,
sword and musket in hand but they are dated
Headquarters of General Hooker" and
they are signed by responsible names.
The reports OF the officers commanding
regiments of this brigade will be sent in to-
honor to hand in my own; but you will allow
me here to mention a few facts, and to ask, in
behalf of my brigade, becoming satisfaction.
1t is known now at least, l trust, that the
first division which gave way on May was
that of Gen. Devens because attacked in
front and from the flank and rear), Col. Gill
sa's brigade firing one round per man, and
Gen. McLean's brigade not firing at all !;
that it was the second line Of your division
which fhouUh oyprrun nv tho first division
changed front from the south to the west in
less than two minutes time the brigade bat
terry, that OF Capt. Dilger, being on the left,
checked the heavy column OF the enemy pour
ing in upon us from the front and both TANKS !;
that the first line of your division in conjunc-
ton with Col. Buschbeck's brigade, of Gen.
Steinwehr's division, formed to the rear of
two of my regiments, the eighty-second Illi-
nois, Col. Hecker, and the northumberland
fifty-seventh New York, Col. Brown, and
manned the rife-pits, the second brigade,
second division, being at that critical mo-
ment detached from our corps by order of
Major General Hooker.
Your two brgades and that of Col. Busch
beck, numbering together not quite four
thousand muskets, alone stood the brunt OF
the battle, and held at bay the enemy's masses
for at least one hour. Colonel Gilsa's and
General McLcan's brigades could not be
my Assistant Adjutant-G General, Selling the
colors of one Of General McLean's regiments,
planted them in the ground and endeavored
to rally the regiment.
The three brigades above mentioned, al
though out-hanked on both wings firmly stood
their ground until sufficient time had elapsed
for the corps behind to come to their support
and take up position in the rear. Your
command did all that could be expected from
.s.. -
by the flank and from the rear, in broad day
light and by force quadruple our own, it is
not the Third - the centre division - that
should be held accountable, but the First di-
vision-the right wing-and those whose duty
1t was to foresee such an event and to prepare
for it. My report will show concusively that
my brigade and the Third division did every
thing possible to avert the catastrophe which
followed. The only reconnoissances under
taken were those made by my brigade, and
the enemys movements were reported by me
fully two hours before the battle commenced.
General, am an old soldier; to this hour
have been proud to command the brave men
of this brigade; but am sure that, unless the
infamous falsehoods regarding us be retracted
and reparation be made, their good will and
soldierly spirit will be broken, and shall no
longer be at the head OF the same brave men
whom have heretofore had the honor to lead.
In the name Oh the gOOu cause OIL our country
| ask, therefore, for satisfaction. If our supe-
rior officers be not sufficiently in possession Of
the facts, demand an investigation; if they
are, demand that those who have slandered
the division be excluded by public order
from our lines, and that the names of the orig
inators of these falsehoods be made known to
me and my brigade, that they may be held re-
sponsible for their representation.
Very respectfully your obedient servant,
A. ScHIMMELPFENNIG, Brigadier General,
Commanding First Brigade, Third Division.