The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-04-30
GEN. HAZEN ON THE STAND.
NOW HE WAS sEPARAT TED FROM HIS
COMMAND At SHILOH.

nevviIdered aud Mounted on Lame and
Jaded Horse and Utteriy - Stranger In the
Country-Gen. Nelson Perfectly satisned.
Among tho distinguished visitors at the
Stanley Hazen court martial yesterday were
Gems. Bolknap Chittenden. Sweeney, Double
day. and Jones'
Gen. Hazen was called. He sat down In
tho witness chair. his elbow touching that OF
Col Stanley. and told tho story In clear. un-
hesitating manner. He said My name is
Col. William b. Hazen. Brovet Major General
In the volunteer service and Colonel OF tho
Sixth United States Infantry. On the 7th Of
April. 1862 commanded tho Eighteenth Brig
ado OF Gen. Buell's army.
Q.-How did you come to DO separated from
YOUR command on that day.
Alt was in this way 1t was the first battle
in which l was engaged. and was stranger
10 the topography Of the country. Besides was
not well mounted: my horse was lame and
iaded I went forward with my command and
only retreated when the brigade was driven
back. In retiring from the field went toward
the left many OF my men doing the same.
passed into a dense wood. and not getting the
proper direction, became bewilderod, and lost
my way. Regarding the position OF Critten-
dens division. my brigade moved moro rapidly
across his front. When came back there was
q long gap between Cflttenuen anu my men. 4
mistook the firing at the right OF my brigade.
The first troops met were Rousseau's. and the
first officer Gen. John II. King. He told me
which way 10 go. Shortly afterward lost my
way again. and finally concluded to go back to
the first road All the roads led to the landing
and Thought II better to go first TO the landing,
and then take tho Hamburg road which had
travelled before. back to my command
Not far from the river met DR.. Murray. !
knew my position to be an 9wkward one, and
Hamburg road until near the landing. There
met several OF my men. who offered me some
food, which / ate. not having tasted anything
since morning. dismounted, and went toward
the river side, until | met Gen. Gillen. after
ward returned on the Hamburg road, and re-
Joined my brigade.
l met Gen. Nelson and reported all the cir.
cumstances OF the case to him. He expressed
himself rs completely satisfied, and considered
Il as one OF those unavoidable accidents that
may fall to the lot OF any one. never heard
any more about 1t until on this trial ! never
made any secret Of my absence from the Held
on that day but always chcerfuly explained IL.
At the request OF Gen, Israel Nogdes the wit
ness traced with n pencil on the map his course
that day from tho time he became separated
from his command, TO the time he reioined II.
He said that he mistook the firing on the eN-
treme flank for that OF his own men, and tho
rebels were on his right while he was search
ing for his men. He went toward them. and on
seeing that they were in gray. hastily retreated.
His brigade was entirely scattered after its
In regard to the Plckett's Mills affair. tho wit
ness explained his coming from the rear by the
fact that Gen. Woods was 80 far in front that he
had to take that route to get to him. Witness
was assured by Gen. Garfield that his testimony
before the Military Committee regard ng post
traderships should be considered confidential