New-York daily tribune., 1864-04-16

Sic: person who writes in your columns,
on March o6 in praise of Gen. Meade. goes somewhat
cut Of bis way cast injurious reflection upon Gen.
Doubleday impugning his military capacity" and
ability 10 assume command of corps when great
battle was raging" Now, Gen. Doubleday hos served
since tho beginning Of tho with tho Army OF the
Potomac; and he has record there. in the esteem Of
tie soldiers no commanded and In tho reports OF his
supcriors which does not warrant any such insinua-
tions For instance in Cen Iiatcs official report Of
operatons In the second Bull Run battle be remarks
"Gon Doubleday exhibited tho greatest gallnntry IN
lardng or his BRIGADE. under terrible fire on the
night ~ the 2th and did much by reckless daring. to.
ward keeping his brigade from giving way whom hnrd
pressed Gen. Pope says IN his report that Cen Double
day managed his brigade with zeal and ability"
Even in Gen Needles report of the battles at Getys
burg Ger Doubleday name il mentioned among those
who rendered the most distinguished services Yet
full justice not done to him there for not mentioned
thnt in the second days battle he captured six guns
from the enemy
Gen. Reynolds. whose capacity no one denies. was
Gen. Doubedays superior at the battle of Fredercks
burg, and in relation TO lis maneuyers and conduct
there where he held tho left flank Of the army against
Stonewa Jackson's forces and Stuarts Cavalry, Gen
Doubecays conduct ard dispositions in the field met
with my entire APPRECIATION and confidence Gen.
Paul and several other brigade commanders requested
that Gen. Doubleday might be promoted for his " gnl'
aniry and skill in fontugerlng troops on the battle
field"
failed in the handling Of troops be-
tween fredericksburg and Gettysburg for the
only battle that interyened wGs Chancelorsvile IN
which Gen. d. + command was not actively engaged IL
thus appears that the first opportunity that occurred
for him TO exercise lis hOnOrs in pitched battle
ap order was issued supcrsodng him. This was done
before Gen. Meade knew anything than that the
battle had fairly commenccd-not Gr the action. and
not Of course for any ale gcd misconduct in that action
On the contrary Gen. Meade has virtually approved
tha! days battle. and hes admitted. In Conversation
.b., Al. 1as tla md wi
country
when it is considered that Gen. q arrived on tie
field while the battle raging; that~Gen. Reynolds
Yves killed ut the very outset that Gen. ID had bad no
opportunity 10 examine the ground or reconnoiter Tie
country; that he held the Corps Of A. T. Hill (Which
contained 10000 mem at bay for six hours. with only
l. 100 in the lst Corps while Ewel advanced against
him on the north with another largo corps Of J0OO;
when IL il known that the whole combat on this irst
day and at this precise time was marked VIII brilliant
successes for the Union arms. including the capture OF
Gen Archer with great part of his brigade two rcg
mouis Of Dayiss Rebel brigade. and large portion OF
Visions Rebel brigade. when IL 10 remembered that
ths obstinate defense saved the position on which the
next days battle was fought III seem strange that
Gen d. should have received such treatment Tor suoh
services.
IL may be well to add that Gen. d. bad beon In COM
mand Of the Let Corps for two wooks previous
to the battle Of Gettysburg by Gen. Reynodss
order the latter officer being in command Of the night
wing Of the army. Had Gen. X. considered Gen. d.
unfit for such command be would hove ut once applied
for another officer.
1t IL not necessary 10 sludc further to Gen DIS post
services with tho Army OF the Potomac. lie has been
identified with every battle and engagement from Cedar
Mountain 10 Gettysburg. Those who saw him during
the entire action IN the front line az South Mountain on
horseback only forty PAGES from the snemys line Of
battle will hardly question his gnlantTy. lilo was In
trusted with the right Of army at Antetan. which
he held successfully with 81 pieces Of artillery and. as
said with the leit Of army at Fredericksburg
against Stuarts cavalry and stonewai Jack sons
forces.
II may be rs well to add that there are few better
military scholars In service than Cen ID. For year,
previous the he engaged In translatng and
making h compendium of every eminent military
writer from the days Of Frederic the Great to the close
OF the Crimean war. There are few of our officers
whose acquaintance with these subjects equal ~ that
Of Gen ID.
In conclusion VIII add. what is very well known 10
officers 81 the Eastern Army. that every new com.
mander has his fayories and friends to advance and
reward; and that Gen. Meade In common with some
others has found himself under the necessity II bestow
ing such flyors by which Of course other officers
known 10 him personally. bad 10 be displaced. As his
relations with Gen Doubleday bad Deyer amounted to
intimacy friendship. IL not unnatural that be
should prefer over him old comrade and brother
engineer. He doubtless intended II simply as u
preference. and not ~ punishment for ahything Cen
D. hau done or omitted.