The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-09-28
GENERAL EARLY's LETTER TO Mr.. GooDE.

the fact, so determined 10 answer anu W
make full statement, OF which no TREND
can complain and no enemy make an I'm
proper use. send you copy OF my
answer, and you will please let me know II
you know anything OF L. o. Maeomb, VINO
writes himself down my "friend," though
have an idea who be is. III he should De
friend OF yours, he ought TO nave ad-
dressed his inquiries TO me in different
way.
have seen some ridiculous squibs in the
Whi1. which were aimed at you about your
war record. but II 10 like most things that
emanale from that quarter now-undesery-
ing OF notice.
LYYCHBURG, September II. 1880.
Sir,-Your note OF enquiry, dated on yes.
| terday, has been received, and, as presume
your object is to learn the facts in regard 70
the military career OF the Hon. John Goode
during the war, 1 deem it most proper that
| should state all that know about it rather
than give mere categorical answers TO the
questions which you propounded 10 me.
Mr.. Goode entered the service in May.
1861, as a private in Captain William X.
Terry's company OF cavalry from Bedford,
which company was mustered into service
at this place, where l was in command at
the time, and it constituted part OF the
r. giment OF cavalry which | organized, with
Colonel Radiord as the commanding ofhcer,
| being subsequently, designated the Second
Virginia cavalry.
Mr.. Goode was present at the first battle
OF Manassas with his regiment. Some time
after that battle. and after | had been made
brigadier-general-I think in the month
of August-Mr. Goode came to sec me, and
| informed me that his health was so delicate
that he was unable to perform the drudgery
aud duties attending the position OF pri-
vate in the cavalry. asking II | would not
have him placed in some position where his
duties would be lighter. rs he did not wish
to leave the service. II was very apparent
10 me from Mr.. Goodies appearance that
his health was quite feeble, and l knew
| from my previous intercourse with HIM at
the bar and during the session OF the Con-
yention, the winter and spring before, that
his constitution was by no means robust.
Hence | determined to have him assigned
to duty at my headquarters, and according
~, at my request, he was detailed as cou-
rer and ordered to report 10 me. took
him into my mess and treated him as staff
officer, though bis position was that OF 4
mere private on detailed duty.
command was engaged in no fight at all.
While he was serving with me he became
a candidate for the Confederate Congress
for the district to which we both belonged,
and supported him and voted for him, as
| was satisfied ne would make most suita-
BILE and efficient member OF Congress, and
10 that position could render far better SER
vice than he could I'm the army. He was
elected by large majority, receiving smong
others, believe, all the votes OF the soldiers
in ny brigade who we're entitled to vote in
the election. He remained with me until
his duties in Congress carried him to Rich
mond, though previous to that time he was
absent for a time in attendance on the TALL
session OF the Convention OF which he was
a member.
In 1852, during the campaign around
Richmond against Mcclellan, when L re-
turned to the army, after having partially
recovered from wound received at Will
liamsburg. [ found Mr.. GoOde in Rich
mond as | passed through that city, and
he volunteered to accompany me 10 the
field as q staff officer, and did so. On the
morning OF the battle OF Malvern Hill,
when | reported to General Jackson for
assignment to brigade in EwelPs diyi-
sion, Mr.. GoOde was with me when came
up with General Jackson in front oil his
command, near Malvern Hill, and was
riding a fresh and unframed horse which
| bad carried with me. While the order
was being written for me TO take command
OF the brigade referred TO the enemy's bat
teries opened, aud, as the shells commenced
falling and bursting uncomfortably near US,
General Jackson thought IL prudent to
change his position. While we were fol-
lowing him piece OF an exploded shell
struck my horse. which Mr.. GOode was
riding, in the flank, causing him to run
away through the woods, by which Mr..
Goode was knocked off the horse, receiving
such severe injury as to render 1t necessa'
ry for him to be carried from the field. lie
was thus unable TO be in the battle which
occurred later in the day.
In June, 1864, when ! came to TINS CITY
for the purpose OF intercepting the march OF
Hunter. who was within few miles or me
city with a force much more than d0dble
nv own, Mr.. Goode again Joined me here.
having made his way alone around the rear
OF Hunters army aud gotten into the city
on the north side. He was able TO give
me valuable information about Hunters
force and movements, and he again
offered TO serve as volunteer on
my staff, and did so until Hunter
made his escape INTO the mountains on tue
road leading to the Ksnawha Valley, where
my pursuit OF him ceased. While Mr..
Goode was with me on this occasion there
occurred fight with portion OF Hunters
force near this city, and my advance at
tackled his rear guard, and drove it with
considerable loss through Liberty, the
place OF Mr. Goodies residence at that time.
This will give You all the Information in
my possession in regard TO Mr.. Goodies mil
itary career during the late war, and will
take occasion To say that, while had widely
differed with Mr.. GOode in the Convention
as 10 the course proper for Virginia to pur-
sue, and have very little liberation for those
who, after being so anxious to bring on
the war, took care to share none OF It's
dangers, | have been always entirely
satisfied with the conduct OF John
Goode, and then thought, and still think,
that il was fortunate that his district was
able to secure so true and so faithful rep
resentative in the Confederate Congress.
II any one shall now be so silly as TO attack
bis war-recOrd, whoever he be that may do
so, will be guilty Of an act OF great absurd
| ity and OF gross injustice.
| Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
| j. A. EARLY.
Z. O. Aacomb, Esq.