The New York herald., 1869-04-25
Governor Burnside's Reply.

eONernOf Burns10e'B Reply.
NEW YORK, April 90, 1869.
GENERAL HoaArIo ROGERS AND OrnERs:-
DEAR SiRs-I am In receipt OF an address numer-
ousiy signed. asking me TO name a day on which TO
meet, at public reception my fellow citizens OF
Rhode Island, for the purpose OF rebuking the ma
licious and sanderous attack OF Senator Sprague
her soiaers who nrst sprung to arms at
their countryis call In 1851. | thank you, in be-
half OF those gallant soldiers and myself, for the
complimentary terms In which 1t is couched. 1t
would be most gratifying 10 me TO meet my friends
a you request and receive from them their express
sions of continued confidence in and respect for the
brave men had the honor 10 lead To the field In the
first days OF the war: but the impossibity OF nam
ing with certainty an early day upon winch can
he Rhode Island, compels me decline your
most gratifying INVITATION.
Before receiving your address. | mad formed the
intention OF publicly denouncing the attack OF Mr..
Sprague upon my old regiment as unprovoked, un-
Justiiiable and untrutnfu.
Ills statement tnat the First Rhode Island regi-
ment was formed by his individual exertions mas
not the shadow OF truth In II. When troops were
needed by the government, Governor sprague, with
commendable promptness, called upon the people
OF Rhode Island 10 rally In is defence, and tee-
graphed 10 me at New York 70 come on and take
command OF a regiment ON the evening OF the
day he telegrapheI ] arrived IN Providence and
found the entire community, without regard to
party or creed abla.e with patriotic zeal. No
More than enough TO form regiment aud battery
joined the ranks OF the organized companies OF the
state; and many were disappointed at being sent
back 10 their homes. was called TO this command,
which am proud % say. was composed OF as gallant
and iOy1l men as ever bore arms. Materials were
purchased Tor uniforms, which were rapidly made,
manly by the volunteer labor OF the Rhode Island
women. Equipments were purchased, and IN few
days the command was ready 10 move. The State
paid for their uniforms equipments ratIons bountIes
and transportation: anu the United states has re.
funded 10 the state the amount thus paid. These
are matters Of record, and man mas the right TO
rob the people OF Rhode Island OF their well earned
reputation 10y saying that the raising maintaining
ual eycrtions. All Rhode Island troops were raised
BY the loyal sentiment oI the people and the ex-
Mr. sprague states that the Marine ARTILLERY
was, for tune prior to the war, maintained by
has personal contributions. The Battery whicn
went out Win nv hrsb regiment was formed from
tue Marine artillery therefore feel hound TO correct
this uniruthfal statement The company was then
composed. " u now, OF due body OF young men,
VINO always have been quite able and wiilIng 70 bear
Their parts IN keeping up their splendid organiZa
ton The citizens have helped them aud the state
oay bore his far share Of tue expenses.
The renmcnt and battery being organized,
Ieft the state for tue neld, cheered ana encour-
aged by their brave and loyal mothers. fathers,
wives sisters. brothers aud friends On their arrival
IN Washington, the work OF drilling and disciplinng
commenced. aud never dd men make more rapid
progress. Their soIderly bearing and attention 10
duty we're remarkable. We were soon ordered 10
JOIN General Patterson on the upper rotomae. Mr.
body OF troops ever moved with greater aacrity or
wilh less fear Generals Patterson Cadwalader
and George N. Thomas know with wnat promptness
We obcyed orders, few days alter We Joined Gen.
eral Patterson n was supposed that the enemy Was
about 10 Attath washington, OfutTs came lot
the regiment TO hasten back. Ths order was
Obcyei by marching the nrst dag thirty-nve miles to
reach tue railroad at FREDERICK. Tue regiment was
whcn We moved toward Manassas ! was placed
IN command % brigade composed OF the FIRST
Rhode Island second Rhode island, seyenty-nrst
New YORK second New Hampshire and Reynolds
battery. mr. Sprague says the first Rhode
lsiand-my rerineni-whe IN camp af Cen
ireyille. refused 20 move" This statement
A. false. A slight discussion among q few men
Win rcfcronce 10 TIE time when their enlistment
expired. Il msxnlaci by MIN into . Inuiiny. Inls
disturbance tnnnE. and was quoted az once
without ans in's.icrence ON me par, Of GOV.
him as to the discipline Of the regiment. lie was
with q parl Of tae time. and al my suggestion
were me uniform o. the rcsinenL bat N no sense
states serice. AZ the battle OF hull run the
regiment was under the command OF MAJOR J. y.
Bslch. a. brave and efficient regimeniai oficer A.
was on that ned. The action was opened by the
gallant and lamcn.ed socam, VINO In com.
rnand of the second Rhode Island regiment and
never did men nght better than ms regiment. AZ
brought up and put IN line the First Rhode Island
ordered 70 remain In reserve and other req.
meni. Ordered 10 support slocam. Tue battery was
was held m reserve but a short time before / found
q necessary 70 order them ~; aud instead of
ins nP .hke nock oi sheep,s a. Mr. sprague says,
where they were directed % form loaded ana 1red
c0olly and he'd their ground nrtny. The battery,
which NJ spras e says needed his example 10 Keep
The contrary, tnes fOagn IKE old soldiers The SeV.
enty-nrsi New fork and second New Hampshire be-
hased win eqas saliantry. In short. viii say that
~ w nv by, ss,s ", srSsSas- ON ths Pa,
my Intention 70 discuss the batue VI bull IL
history y wei known. We have but 10 refer 20 the
ohcia repors o. that das. together VITA the state.
CALAMITY tue Rhode Island troOps stood bv Their
colo-s And ionsht for Their ooantrs Tho record of