The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-03-29

The Rattle or 0cttysburg Once More.
g4 The Fog Thicker and ThickeS.
v TO THB EDITOR or The HERALD.


The Fog Thicker and Thicker.
TO rHs EDITOR or rHE HERALD.
sr WAsHrSoroz, D. c.. March "a. 1884
Il does not TO that the contradictory state.
published the HERALD about the Getsyss
burg calculated to enlghten in great way the public
opinion on the subject The Of such conflict q
Information Is simply this that your in ormanss do NOS
generally conne themselves TO The points which cana
under their personal observation, but presume give
evidence alleged facts which could only be known Co.
them by hearsay. How, for instance can bri JADE conn.,
mander know. by himself what Is going in any part %
the line Of battle distant from the point where com.
mand Is engaged II ia my repeated experience that In
such ono has quite enough to occupy himself with
his men, without playing the part OF locker e.
regard to others.
another OF confusion is in the want oe
specifications as to the precise hour when alleged
movement may have taken place. What been
true Ut certain time may become incorrect hour
later the movements OF regiments and brigadss from
one point TO another beng nearly incessant during bat
to- according to the exgencies OF the moment Hence
the conflict Of Statements apparently impossible to re-
concile. esl asts X. as e,s
II not therefore, my intention TO say anything abous
the operat OF the Third the Second or
the Firth corps the I'd OF July think that every
one did hs duty to the best Of his ability, and know
that all fought splendfly that memorable occasions
hut having been called to testify to Incident per-
accede TO the request in stating tho following crcum.
stance .lN#s r.
quarters OF an hour after the opening or
the enemys attack our division First DIVISION third
corps), which ormed at that time the extreme leg OF
position in my rear, lying down n two lines behind tho
centre Of my brigade soon ter my attention call
cd to their falling back: "where you goiugfn I
asked. "Wc ordered to fail back !" answered the
officers nearest TO me. "Fall backs why2 There Ii
no necessity for M And explained TO them that had
already repulsed two attempts Of the enemy to
narrow ravine IN front where the Fifth Michigan and
the One Hundred and Tenth Pennsylvania, OF my
by their terrible losses (Which soon. amounted
TO ore half OF their number). Still the reinforce
ment from the Filth corps Withdrew without being en-
gaged and in short time they replaced by troops
from The Second corps, which In the most gallant style
advanced through the wood and relieved my when
ammunition was completely exhausted heard
since that the OF the Fifth corps belonged Gene
raj Rarnes division and those from The Second corps Ia
These are the facts Sir and beg II to be distinctly u-
dersood that state them without dsparagement to anys
body Is obvious that regiments may be withdrawn
from position to be useully employed anothy
err and as consider that the duty Of any officer not
DISCUSS orders but TO obey them Very respectfully
r791.- r. DE TRoBRIAND Brigader General,
Commanding the Third brigade, First division, Third
corps, ut Gettysburg
The Truth OF Hrstory-Thc Battle o.
Chic n mnuga.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD. ~ 4
In ono Of your issues there is an editorial the
Official report of General Rosecrans OF the battle Of
the Chckamauga. The following extract is taken from
that editorial asa t..s
The greatest delinquent Of all General Wood who,
being ordered To extend his line that II should
connect with her division his left so sunder,
stood this order as TO withdraw completely from tho line
OF battle. 4nHttt \
1t believed that you had seen copy OF the ordes
in question when you wrote tho EDITORIAL you would
never have far perverted 1t and the moveu cots Of
General Wood, made strctly in conformity to IL. Evf
IDENTIFY your criticism General Woods conduct based
the statement IN Rosecrans, Official report in
regard the order General Wood aud his movements
under t. II may be most truthfuy remarked In regard
TO the statement OF General Rosecrans that II s the
hand, tissue OF positive missatements, and the
other marked by positive suppression Of the truth.
General Rosecrans statement IN fact and IN.
just in intention It is confidently believed the following
frank involves the truth, and that, as fair
minded, impartial public journalist You win cheerfuly
insert II in paper, with view to doing justice
General Wood hT4.t4 taaI- t.t
In the fight OF Saturday, the 10th September General
Wood had but two brgades under his command. Of
his brgades having been ert In Chattanooga when the
division moved out in pursuit OF Bragg's army on the
10th Of September. Early in the morning Of the Goth
brigade Of Gencra vanccves division placed under
General Woods command. Gen. Wood then ordered
TO take position in the limo the right Of Gen. Brannans
division ard TO keep his left closed well against rannAns
right. The further instruction given 70 Gen. Wood
TO be prepared TO resist attack but not 10 invite
The position assigned 10 Gen. Woods division had Just
been vacated by Nesley's DIVISION which had been
towards the left These changes were made 10 con-
formy with the orders OF the commanding general To
the right Of the post on in line occupied BY Gen. Wood
division came Davis and Sheridan's divisions, fuse6
the purpose Of securing the right flank BY resting 10
on Mission RIDGE H@N aM $3.50
General Brannans division, in fun line, next on
General Wood left and next General Brannans dvi-
sion came General Reynolds division. fvf a-g
The skirmshcrs thrown out to cover the front OF Gen.
the skirInshers OF the enemy, when quito sharp but
brief muskctry rcnconre occurred 10 lasted however,
perfect quiet prevailed not only along General woods
'front.' but u The extreme right u the ne- The fact OK
and thence the right Is necessary juss
appreciation OF General Woods position when he re.
snrpor lin add tho movements made under the order
AS General Wood not all engaged at the time he
son u Inc h OF reserve 10 BE- used 70 sppor oes
parts OF the line which might be pressed This view
sy ns AT 70 5 Genera n Woo 70 .
showing that. 10 the opinion OF tho commanding general
the division would probably DO needed for service else.
where. But, whio entire quiet prevailed on General
Woods front and 70 the extreme right, the OF art
lery aud the ratio Of usety borne TO the right from
the centre and eit told In unmsakable language that
nerce contest was going on there Commencing with the
left half OF General Brannans division and extending u
fought SUCH had been tho status Of he contest for ns
three ouths Of an hour whom General Wood received
the 'oiiow'ns ofae'- -. ~,
BEsdsr osSe,s wcoD Division t , &C n -
Rsyn0d " fast IS s.ss s .Rs
The order was addressed ~ fonows-
io:5 A. M-Galop sa Fa@.
Bnsader General WOOD.
Al sound military principles condemn a general rule
there be exceptional case the moving Of
troops from part Of line % reinforce another para Of
Tho instant OF the receipts OF tho order how 70 act and ha
nrs. impulse was to refer % the commsndng general for