The New York herald., 1875-10-02
GENERAL o. 0. HOWARD conREcrs AN EERo-

GENERAL o. o. HOWARD coRREcTs AN ERRo-
NEoUs ACCOUNT OF THE FIGHTING.
The recently published "History Of the Battle OF
Gettysburg" from the pen OF S p Bates LII. D., like
the book OF General Sherman, has evoked sharp crt
cism from the criticised General 0. 0. Howard, deem
ing himself too seriously msrepresented in the account
OF his share Of the first days fighting allow of his
passing it over in silence has written the following
letter to DR.. Batcs:-
LETTER or GENERAL HOWARD.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT or THE COLUMBIA,
PORTLAND Oregon, Sept IA 1875.
DEAR SIR-l write to apprise you of certain in
your History Of the Battle OF Gettysburg" into which
YOU have fallen doubtless through incorrect informa-
tion from men who are unfriendy to me or over
friendly TO themselves
distinct says Captain Rosengarten of Reynolds sta
sin my recollection Of tho fact that one OF General
Howards aids Captain Hall) reported to General Rey
nolds as We were near Gettysburg the early arrival OF
the Eleventh corps on the Taneytown road"
II Captain Hall so reported he was mistaken One
column (Schurz and Stenwehrs divsions arrived near
Gettysburg, the Taneytown road few minutes be-
fore O'Clock Barow's division arrived little in
advance, the Emmitsburg road.
Second--0n the same page you say:-''Howard had
ridden up when he found the First corps engaged in
advance Of his column arriving about one O'Clock"
was in Gettysburg reconnolterng by half past ten
A. NJ No orders reached me directing me to move TO
Cemetery Hill An aid Of General Reynolds met me
60 modify the FIRST phase Of Reynolds order from this
form"to keep within supporting distance" to this
''You will come up to Gettysburg / said TO him.
ground anywhere near heren We were then on the
Emmtsburg road, halt mile from Gettysburg went
in person TO several points with members Of my staff
Cemetery HILL to high ground west Of the Emmits
burg road and finally TO fahnstocks observatory and
there just before eleven A. NJ when officer
from General Reynolds reported to me that General
Reynolds wounded. / said was sorry and hoped
he would be able 70 keep the field Not ten minutes
later hs death was reported, and assumed command
OF the field and sent out orders accordingly My letters
written the field messages field notes and orders all
combine 70 prove this. 50 write hali.past ten A. NJ
instead Of zone O'Clock, 4 for myself and about one
O'Clock for the arrival OF the command
You say 'he ordered his batteries forward, but his
men came slowly The men did not move TOO slowly
for hot July day. The batteries preceded them when
Just near the town, because needed al the front
Third-On page 10 you say, Though Howard had
arrived on the Held and was now In chief command he
wholly occupied In directing his corps leaving
the first entirely TO tho managemont of Doubleday
The nrst sentence ! ekircly untrue established
division and all the artillery Of corps there
a general reserve sent forward two divisions Of
the Eleventh corps Schurz commanding at the 'front.'
for the relief OF General Doubleday, and doubtless so
informed him. | then went In person 10 Doubeday's
position and examined Il with care He said that his
left was not then likely 70 be turned IL was the point
concerning which was anxious so far reinforce
ments were concerned had at once sent 70 Gen
eral Sckles 10 General SlOcun. and through General
Sckcs TO General Meade, giving the exact truth, and
calling for the help which eventually came.
occasion them at one O'Clock, 70 modify OF change
General Doubcdays position. You must recollect the
object had in view; II was TO hold Gettysburg with
one wing, which only amounted with our small corps
TO can advanced guard 70 hold this strategic position
/ til the army should come up General Doubleday
\ memory is not accurate / did not Of course, give
him unnecessary orders did ask him to look out for
his left and would protect his right When he sent TO
me for help had none there 70 give. socum not
yet up and to send Steinwehr's little division to
4 the front would have been the height Of folly
kept pressing for General socum who was said 70 be
near at hand 10 push forward his troops. Aides came
% from General Doubleday, and never failed to
send him prompt and courteous reply At least twice
directed him dispute the ground obstinatcIy Il he
should be forced 10 fail back General Schurz received