The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1864-11-01
Letters from thu 4th MIehIgan,.u
LINCOLN GEN. HosPIrAL,
WAsHrNGroS Oct. lS, 1864

W AbHiN0ION Oct. Ac, Aoof.
EDITOR STANDARD, Dear Sir;--I have
just received a copy of your paper con-
tanning letter written by myself and al
so copy of the Democrat Of the 9th
inst, in which are written letters to prove
the statements of my letter as false,
which letters have failed to prove any
single point as untrue. Though | am
at present confnedin the hospital, from
the effects of a severe wound received
on the 3Oth ult. / cannot suffer those
letters to go unanswered, especially as
some of them were written by men who
were once my superior officers, and, as
all know, we have to respect the shoul-
der straps if we do not the men who
wear them. For Sergt Luce l have
entertained the highest respect as man,
and as a soldier. had supposed him
to be beyond reproach. | can hardly
believe he wrote the letter ascribed to
him, and shall prove that it is false
We forded the North Anna river at Jer-
icho Ford, and the regiment formed as
soon as we were across and advancedm in
line of battle. If it was at this time that
the "Fourth Mich. Inft. went in on
charge" / think the gentleman has a
mistaken idea ola charge, for we ad-
vanced with the usual speed while march
ching, and scarcely a" Johnny" in view.
/ had supposed that regiment could
march in line of battle without charg-
ing, but Sergt. Luce thinks different.
After advancing perhaps half mile
over an open field with the exception of
a few rods of wood, we halted before a
rail fence at the edge of the wood, and
about the same time the rebel skismish-
crs commenced firing, but were soon
driven back by our own. 1t was here
that the brave Teachout fell dead. We
again advanced about fifteen rods into
the pine woods, and commenced build
ing breast works, using the fence above
mentioned in constructing them. There
was some delay in obtaining intrench
inc tools, and while waiting we prepar-
ed and ate our suppers. We had bare
" finished and some of our officers had
not, before the rebels came on with a
wild yell, and the regiment after firing
, few rounds, fell back by orders from
Capt. Marshal, and rs | stated in my
, previous letter, became somewhat bro
ken. The colors halted few rods from
, the woods, on the left hand side of the
, road. and here all who had not run too
: fast, were rallied and went back, as |
! stated in my previous letter, under com
, mand of 1t. Gruner. remember Of
: seeing Adit. Maltz, 1t. Vesey and l
: think 1t. Westfall, who made them
: selves conspicuous in their efforts to re-
e store order and reform the Regt. l have
e always understood that it was the duty
+ of good soldiers to stand by the flag.
: If that was the case, why did Sergt.
l Luce, Capt. Marshal and others desert
: it? 1t would seem to be the duty at a
: commander of regiment to rally it
e when broken, and not suffer them to
e follow him in wild disorder. Iwould
: like to ask of Capt. Marshal why, when
: his place is opposite the colors in the
0 center of the regiment, he lost sight OF
D them. Capt Marshal says, "Allow me
$ to state that | myself once asked that
G this Wells might be released from a de-
5 tail for driving cattle for the hospital,
: and be sent back to his regiment" This
} may or it may not be true. All the
: time i was at the hospital Gust one
e week. l was patient there by reason
: of a wound received in the battle at
: North Anna. Except that it partially
1 deprived me of the use of my left arm,
| and prevented me from wearing belt
y or carrying knapsack, | should not
f have left the company at all, though
a felt the effects of that wound for over q
r month afterward, and have present
Il reminder in the shape of a scar about
:, four inches long and one in width OH my
s left side. Being strong and healthy
: hospital life became irksome, and | ask
|, ed permission ofDr. Watts lst Surgeon
e 4th Mich. in charge of Commissary
4 Dept, to be one of squad of GONZALES
n cents under charge of Sergt. Major
e Smith 4th Mich, who were to drive Q
G small drove of cattle for the use of the
l. hospital. DR.. Watts gave me permis
n sion, and l never asked nor was given
@ a regular detail. On the morning Of Tho
r slst of May, Smith and l went to DIR
e Watts when Smith told him he guessed
he would return to his regiment. After
l. asking if he was well enough, he turned
e to me and said, "Sergt. will you take
Is charge of the drove?" answered thai
J. / wanted to return to the regiment, ant
e we then recommended Marsh, who tool
r the drove. On meeting Capt Marshal
9 he expressed his surprise at my return
g ing so soon. 1t will be seen by this, tha
ii returned at my own request, withou
waiting to be sent back by the surgeon
n in charge. Capt. Marshal further says
ID "In all probability in endeavoring Il
Mt discipline his men, he made personal en-
IN emies among them" / wonder if h
ID didn't laugh in his sleeve, at the idea o
ie 1t. Sherman's disciplining any one.
It, Lit Goodrich's letter evidently wa
x not intended for publication, and m
e. name or letter was not mentioned. IL
r. saws. I" Would think of the battle @