The New York herald., 1869-04-25


the First Rhode Island regiment does not end win
the nrst battle OF the 10 furnished over 600 ON
GERS and men 10 other regiments. many OF whom won
ocar S1 o. rs st and Ah M
Bull run and. with the exception OF occasional
visits 70 armies In the neid. ms nlllsry sxperi.
that his military criticisms may be trine crude.
MT. spragues statements ~ TO the retreat Of our
forces are untrue. Colonel Slocum and MAJOR
ballou had been mortaly wounded; Lieutenant Col
onel now Genera Frank wheaton commanded the
MsrsIon was seriously wounded. and Lieutenant
colonel Fitch was In command OF tue Second New
Hampshire: all General Hunter, in command OF our
divislon, was seriously wounded early IN the
action. The men OF my Brigade together with
Major NOW Genera) Sykes regulars and Lieutenant
now Generap Richard Arnold's battery formed the
rear guard, and the last TO cross Cub run IN
retreat. This fact Is well known. Mr.. sprague
himself crossed long before them, and was resting
in camp at Centreville when we reached there. Al
the council OF war we were ordered TO return TO
Washington. The men whom Mr. Sprague seeks 10
slander marched back IN body, keeping themselves
In condition to be Of service to each other and TO
tnelr country % II called upon: Mr. sprague. who
sumes that he controlled these men, hastened into
washington In an ambuance-not on horseback,
jumping fences, !" as he says-and IN bed while
back TO their old camp. MIR. Sprague says nv
regiment was asked to wait in Washington
This statement Is untrue. We reached Washington,
MONDAY morning, at daylight the day after the
Dattle, and remained there until Thursday night. |
vent to General Scott and offered TO stay longer
Int he told me that troops were arriving and more
were on Their Way-that he considered the capital
quite safe, and directed me TO take my regiment
home.
Mr. sprague seeks to defame a member OF the regi-
ment, by making dsparaglng remarks about his con-
duct on two occasions, without naming him. The
nrst was an alteration about the custody OF
nag, which took place at the Patent Onice
where the regiment was then quartered. This al
tercation was the result OF an effort on the part
OF an officer to obtain custody Of the flag. Neither
the officer nor soldier actuated by anything
but desire to perform his whole duty. ana certain
~ nothing occurred to show that any cOwardice was
a IhA Iarp rata "A
session OF the nag, In accordance with his orders.
The reference to this affair on the part OF Mr..
incident was considered a matter OF no I'm
portance at the time. The same soldier is
Bull Run. This charge is false. The c,r
cumstance he refers to was dispute as to who
was the rigntiai @ commander OF company Of sharp
showing any cOwardice, rather demonstrated a
superabundance OF metal in both parties. The
soldier 80 unjustly assailed by Mr.. sprague, took
the musket OF wounded man and with his men
fought gallantly in the ranks while the regiment
With reference to the personal charges against
me l have nothing to say. My conduct is we'll
and must to res sae %pon the
testimony and not on any statement OF mine |
will add the following to show untruthfulness OF
Mr.. Sprague's charges made 80 long after the event.
In August, 1881 just after the battle OF Bull Rum
the Legislature OF Rhode Island passed UNANIMOUSLY
the following res0lutiOns:-
RESOLUTION OF THANKS TO AMBROSE T. BURNSIDE
LATE COLONEL OF FIRST REGIMENT RHODE ISLAND
Resolved rhs the thanks Of the Assembly be- and
Of e s e
for the prompt and patriotic manner in which he rendered
protect capital and sustain it's government
under the national constitutional for his assduous
charge and for the skill and generashp Displayed by him
the field OF battle, which, pleased learn
Resolved through Burnside we also tender the
his command who volunteered promptly for their
Resolved That the General Assembly would gra.aed
q ths national 10 the
Resolved That his Exceency the Governor be requested
that 80 Ds be
the same to the officers and soldiers under
These were transmitted under cover OF the follow
Ing letter from Governor Sprague:-
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.,
PROVIDENCE, August 81, 1s5l.5
General a. E. BSHSsrDE late Colonel Commanding First
Sill herewith transmit to you the resolution of thanks to
yourself and the officers and late under command
gives me to this testimonial Of their apprec
alton o. the services OF yourself and gallant regiment,
and men The people OF Rhode Island viii long remember
your service. to them and to our common country No
short time, more firmly entwined himself around
% for the
patriotic spr which has actuated in all intercourse
in the position to which you called,
have the honor to be your friend and hede1
also have in my possession letters and documents,
official and private from Mr.. Sprague, dated DIFF
ferent periods OF the war, in when the |
are expressed, which / will not burden you
with. What has induced him to make this
outrageous attack upon me and my regiment do
not know. To y0u my fellow citizens and comrades,
shall ever be grateful for this renewed expression
OF friendship anu support IL adds one more to the
A. i. BURNSIDE.