Washington telegraph., 1864-09-21

! Col. ANDERSON AND FT. GAINES i he case
dence and justice of never allowing our opinions
| to go off half-cockci
| A member of Colonel Anderson's command
writes a long letter of two and half columns
to the Mobile Telegraph, from the military pris-
on at New Orleans. vindicating his humane and
patriotic course in snrrcndering tho fort He
states that the place was utterly untcnable after
the enemy's fleet had passed into the bay. He
says every one of the bitches could have been
enfiladed, and the loss Of life would have been
fearful" ''On the night before the surrender
meeting of all the officers was held, and d,.l-
| egation sent to Col. Anderson 10 inform him
that they were unanimously Of the opinion that
nothing could be accomplished by longer hold
ing out, and they were opposed to having the
lives Of their men nselessly sacrificed. They,
| therefore, advised a surrender. Col. Anderson
! therenpon called a council Of the officers. which
! lasted until daylight, thus preventing him from
going over to IT. Morgan to consult with Gen
Page. The council decided that Col. Anderson
onght to surrender, and ike The nvble-heari.-d
gentleman that he il, he sacrificed himself for
the welfare of his men," He rciteratrs again
that the fort in m entirely indrfrnsibl.-
condition, and might have been destroyed by
the enemy in few hours and saws all the or
dess Col, Anderson ever r-cnived was to 40 the
best he could undor the circumstances.
He says further, that when Gen. Pag. comc
| over from Fort Morgan. and found Col Anler-
son absent arranging terms of surrender ''lrarn
ing the condition of affairs. hc ripaincl only
short time, leaving. word with Maier John son
for Col. A. that if terms had not been agreed
on he would fight the fort; but, If they had
been agreed on, io carry them out, as hc wished
nothing dishonorable done. This is the sum
total of his instruction. NJ. Murl was said
about relieving Col. Anderson of his comrnan,l.
nor did Col. A. at any tim during thu siege re-
ceive any Other instructions or orders from Grn
Page than to d. the best he coELi.'' When the
delegation of officers went to Col Anderson to
inform him Of the meeting Of officers advising
surrender, lac was lat ha!fpast ons at nighi)
on the parrpei making ds-nt preparations fvr
the next days fight. - litls i,lga dil hs have
OF surrcnd .Ejag, that h. WAS using every cxrr-
lloH 10 nave powder removed tT-It thr- maya
ziues most exposed and cast into tn. bay
In another place, Speaking VI thu Colon !. hr
says regarding the surrender, ut was an act
peculiarly distastrful to him, and one which
wrung his gallant and manly h-.rt wish th,-
keenest agony. | him in his private sI,art-
nent on the morning Of the surrender. aud new
cr did witness more deep ana poignant sorrow
than he exhibited. Could relate 10 you the
condition in which found him. your krrnrsi
sympathies would b. excited for a brave and
noble-hearted gentleman aud soldi,r''
This is voice from the only qlart.r whence
Col. Anderson may row be heard IN his defence
liebelongs TO brave and dcy oicd southern iami-
ly, and he and his regiment distinguished them
selves on the bloody field Of shiloh. We pre-
sent this statement our readers, feeling con-
.idcnt in our minds thar il il Substantially true,
and that Col. An1-rson, without, I.tracti"n from
his courage or patriotism. sacrificed himself ~
obloquy for the SAX. d hNniInir.