Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1864-06-15
Injustice to C:insman's Brigade.
HEADQ'Rs Ct1NcNANs's BRIGA


Cold Harbor, June 9th, 1864. I
To the Editors Of the Richmond DispotcA:
My attention has been called to statement in
your paper, that IN tho battle of the LIST inst.
+" Clingmans brigade gave way for time" As
this statement does great injustice to the gallant and
patriotic men under my command, earnestly re-
quest you to publish in your next issue this note
aud heavily attacked along its entire front from
right to left The enemy advanced not only in line
of battle, but on the left also in heavy columns
masked by the line of battle in their front This
attack was repeatedly and sgnally repulsed with
great loss to the enemy in my entire 'front.' Near
our left, where they came in columns, their dead
were much thicker than have ever seen them on
any battle field. Any force advancing in front
would have been destroyed fast as it could come
up, for my men were regularly supplied with fresh
ammunition, and fought with tie utmost coolness
courage, and cheerfulness.
There was, however, in the beginning Of the en-
gagement a brigade from another State than nv
own, stationed on our left This brigade did give
way, and while the contest was going on in our
'front.' the enemy in large force, occupied the ground
on our left flank and rear. After We had repelled
the Last attack in 'front.' and the men were cheering
along the line the 9Th regiment which formed nv
left was suddenly attacked on its left flank and
rear. The woods there being thick, and the smoke
SuS CnCAA1y uAu 0PpIOOCtloU lew ySTOS
and opened heavy fire on the rear of the 9Th as
well as its left If this regiment had then given
way, it might have escaped with much less loss
but true to its reputation and its past conduct it,
by facing in two directions, attempted to hold its
position, and thus lost about two thirds of its mum.
bers. The left wing of the 5lst next to it suffered
in the same manner heavily, because it continued
the fight by facing in two directions. They per.
severed in this even after the time when, seeing
- Al. L. -
mode ordered them back and with the aid of their
formed in line Of battle perpendicular to the origi
nal one, with the 3 lst and 6lst regiments, which
had also repelled all the enemy in their front.
The brigade was thus under a constant fire from
the oiloshy, formed in new line of battle across
the open Geld. While 1t was SO doing, the 9th
Georgia regiment, Of Gen. Colquitt's brigade, came
up from our right handsomely, and advanced in
line with US. The enemy were then, after q short
struggle, driven back, and the whole Of my origi-
nal line was reoccnpied, but the position of the
brigade on my left remained in the possession of
the enemy without any attempt ever being made
to retake it. VI feel confident that no brigade from
any State, in this war; or any other war; ever acted
better than did mine under such circumstances
1t may not be aqiss to state that within the last
three weeks it has lost in battle eleven hundred
and seventy-three men. 1t is singular fact too,
(out one that ls ndlsputably true,) that in every
instance in which it has been engaged, whether at-
lacking or defending itself, it has decidedly and
signally beaten the enemy in its front and that
four-fths of it's losses have been Sustained solely
because its fanks have been left unprotected by
the troops which should have. been there. They
have suffered in this way six different occasions.
/ will not however, trust myself further to
speak Of these things. Having been for full
month in the trenches every night and day, and 3
part Of the time without single staff officer, all
the members Of my staff present having been shot
down IN the late engagements have little leisure
to write at length. As this statement is not long,
earnestly request those editors whose papers have
copied the article above referred to- to publish this
remembering that, next to his country, the true
soldier values the reputation and glory Of his OWE
good actions. IL. .: ,.,... - -; .,. @ III.
+. ...- a4 /: Very respectfully, yours, etc, -,
Is, : 7. l. CLtNGMAN, Brig. Gen. -'