Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1872-09-04
LITTER FROM GEN kILFATRIck.

LETTER FROM GEN KILPATRICk.
WINDSOR, Vt, Aug. p, 1872
Wy Dear MAJOR
The friends OF President Grant (wh1 love
the soldiers 50 dearly are circulating. with
great zeal. the statement OF MAJOR uizletJn
and Col. Wells At best. even it 10 were
true, it will prove a weak and cowtrily as
sistance TO their declining cause. Mapr
Hazleton don t know Il nave no recpuec-
ton of him in the war. Col Wells / d.
know. and do remember, as fair soldier,
and in full confidence telegrdphed him *
pecting he would do me simple justice, even
it he did hold the m st lucrative office.
under President Grant, in all this ) ate, but
| was mistaken. - You dIf call, etc. You
did start to lead the Vermont cavalry IN
charge and thought 1t sale not to continue
etc" came back in reply and, then, straight
way goes and publishes his own unmanly act
And why? For what Would | be doing
Col Wells injustice if | said political gGcct
might have known better. | might nave
known that even Col. Wells could not resist
the corrupting influences Of the administra-
ton he serves, and hopes to continue by
traducing the military record of an old com
rade.
| remember the charge he refers to.
Beaufort and Gregg had been fighting al !
day. We were in reserve ami unsad1led,
when l was informed that they were about
to retire to South Mountain. ] had been
ordered by Gen. PleasantOn to hold the line
of Antietam Creek. So we sounded - boots
and saddles and with the Fifth New York,
Harris Light and part of the First Vermont
started down the Pike. We met the enemy
and charged at once, broke and scattered his
troopers, and pursued till our formation was
broken up, when we halted. Major Wells
came up at a trot IN rear. desired to gain
a bridge close at hand. Sent word to Major
Wells to press on. Instead Of Obeying orders
he halted on our rGllying front, and or
dered him on. | may have used persuasive
language, and | may have gone on with him
d part or all of the way; l don t remember,
and it don't matter. | was in command OF
upwards of 5000 cavalry with artillery, and
it was not my custom to lead squads of men
in attacks on battle points, unless their Off
GERS failed to lead them quickly and firmly ;
then, as possible in this case, may have
encouraged the men and officers by personal
example. 1t was no great affair anyhow.
Only one man was struck, and he by "A solid
shot from distant piece Of artillery
L here was a gallant soldier in command OF
the First Vermont-Colonel PrestOn-but
unfortunately, he was at another part Of the
field with the larger portion of the regiment.
had he Deen IN cOUmduu luSIC NOuAu
have been no halting, the bridge would have
been won and held, and Brevet Major Gener-
al Wells would not have been scolded at on
the field of battle.
Yours truly,
j. FITZPATRICK.
10 Major Salisbury, Rutland.
ACCOMPANYING this is a note from Major
A. J. Grover to Gen. Fitzpatrick, saying that
he has read Major Hazleton' 5 statement with
deep regret that he remembers the charge
at Boonsboro that it was ' down the pike
straight on a BRIDGE and that as they
struck the enemy, Gen. K. was in advance.
lie adds zee .eral. you were always brave;
we were proud of you IN war time as our