New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-04-02
The James Island Annir Of June, 1907
To IA. Edilor Of The ~ y fribsns

To hs Editor Of The ~ J. Tribune
SIR: IL will be recollected that some twenty
months since in June. 1862, while Gen. Hunter COM
manded the Department Of tho South. ard Gen Benhan
the District now under Gen. Gilmore. an expedition
was planned against Charleston. which landed at James
Island.
Within few days after this landing Gen. Hunter re-
turned 10 Hilton Head. leaving Gen. Benham In com
nand. with nstrI ,ons 10 secure" his encampmeD'S'
lint not 10 advance on Charleston As these encainp
mepts were covered by tho fire Of Rebel battery a Be-
oosionville Gen Benham deemed II Indispensable for
holding his position (and TO be entirely Justified by the
order OF Gen Hunter 10 attempt to reduce lhs pnseIy
He therefore directed the assault upon the morning oi
Tbi attao was ordered to be made at the earliest
daylight but did not actually take place I'M oi'er sun
rise and 10 this delay Gen. Benham attriputeu no So
', 60 uuntcr boweyer, dissatisfied with tho loss
which had occurred arrested Gen. Benham ana sent
him ont of the Department, though as ne repeatedly
stated. and as was the iact HtIops ct % ts arr
AGAINST him But II IL presumed that the IaSt OF l, ~
res, with the newspaper comments ana other Puphca
ons OF those ignorant Of tho circumstances was ne
that after few weeks Z. raYalo5 and he
wss returned 10 his duties field ofoer Oh ehgneerS
though there was trial, or even notice given MN Vi
any charges. III, &, ra,,orv 1861 tho
piJent was induced 10 direct examination OF the
case Inv Col Holt the Judge Advocate OF the
Amy The result was most complete eroneration oil
Cen enham from all blame In relation TO that aiior
All he immediate restoration 90 his rank and ms as
aia,reut 10 the command Of the Engineer Brigade IN
~ Army of the Potomac, which duty ho mas con
tipued since that time. -, A.. A.. .,,,,o
a. his report however. not given TO the public
ond cen Benham has himself abstained from pu0thng
" ercount of tho affair." the dssnoed histories ~ TINS
an,,on by Ueady. Abbot and others, as made up ap'
norcnty rom the newspaper statements OF the ule,
I've done such great injustice 70 Gen. Benham. that
no, The Presidents attention was called TO them, ne
v, once authorized the publication Of Col Hollis report
S,owith placed before the public. TO the compete VIZ
aaon Of that officer showing. as SO miy does ina.
s ashanti appeared most fully justified by the oiueIs
- Zen Hunter, that II was military necessity was
& nanned and that IL failed through no fault u Gen
Benbam. oo-, 4, ,or ho wall IN ex.
onlifv tbe truth Of history we md II IN hcadey
a. least by stating that In two important actions
,nsrs Cen. Benham was undeniaby the sole com
Wander Of tho troops engaged his name has not beeh
AZ all; and In third action u Is only mined
~ connection with statement absolutely incorrect
ia 4 corricls Ford where Garnet was killed ana MS
,rain cantnred as Gen. Mouiss letters abundsntiy
,s,ifv he commanded all the troops engaged having
iod H. Administers In that pursuit and given all the
rde,s In that action Gen. Morris being several miIse
u r.sL adyancipg with the main column