New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-07-27
GENERAL WARRENS DEFENCE
ARGUMENTS OF THE COUNSEL.

ARGUMENTS OF THE COUNSEL.
POINTS CLAIMED TO BE ESTABLISHED by THE rvr
DENcE-DELAY NOT DUE TO GENERAL wARnvx
his MANNER AND MOVEMENTS
The argument in defence of General Warren,s co,
duct at Five Forks was continued yesterday by Mr.
Stickney. his counsel before the Court Of Inquiry AZ
the Army Building. There were more yisi,ors
present than on the first day, including some Army
oihcers. General Warren was in attendance and l;s
tened intently. He did not wear his uniform as on
with the exception of Recorder Ian edon aso la,S
ASIDE the heavy uniforms i'm which thew SAT dugs,,
the irst part OF The first DAYS session. Mr.. Stickn
went oyer the ground infinitely, with the aid of fhs
carefully prepared maps of Captain Cotton ,be
Typographical engineer employed iy General War
testimony His argument was followed Fl seiy ID
General Augur, the president of the court. wliie
Major Gardner, the counsel for General Sb,.dn ,.o
seemed To be absorbed with the printed Sheet ~
ms own argument. Mr.. Stickney will occupy a
sn ; tle TINS morning and then Major Card er
Mr. Stickney in his review of the two days onder
investigation, considered General Waucn's move
commanders of the Fifth Corps on the White 0st
road, down toward Dinwiddie Court House. Ga he
Five Forks. He held that the evidence esfablshed
the following points That the corps was moved nm
Tor the attack with all possible speed that for tbe
long delay of the forenoon General sheridan was
personally responsible: that the confusion In Gene
tal aHress division was very slight, and nit such as
10 cali Tor the personal presence of General warren
VINO was at that time occupied with more presSin,
matters, and that confidence easily and onicL;v
rrestored that the break between Generals Craw-
result of General sheridans misapprehensiogS
OF the position of the enemy's works which
the, Fifth Corps was to attack: that Ger" Cen,
e1ai warren made every possible effort 10
t remedy me break that throughout the opera
General Sheridans success; that through the whole
battle General Warren was at that point where us
his manner was that ordinary to him when intensely
occupied, and that any imputations against him
made. '' 'Se"
MIR Mr.. stiekney read from the testimony of both
upon their statements First he considered lie
enemys position and General Sheridan's plan Of
a,,aGk Inc Coniederate infantry with disnountea
the White Oak road. extending a long distance 70
lhe Gillian field The line extended beyond Five
Forks portion of w. II. +. Lees division held an
advanced position along the edge of the woods on
the west side of the Gillian field and around the
so as to sweep the field. This part of
the Inc was strong and was held 10 the
mounted. guarded the right of the line To the left
OF the Rebel infantry was Munford's cavalry which
was in reserve on the north side of Hafc6er;s Rnr
General sneIidan's plan in general was TO attack
and turn the enemy's left flank with the Fifth
Corps at the same time attacking the works i'm front
with his cavalry General Warren drew diagran
OF the supposed position of the enemy and the way
enemy, and General Sheridan allowed ii 10 he issued
10 the division commanders he certainly would rcf
wrongly as that would completely mslead the divi-
sion commanders as TO the most important point in
the whole situation The point alleged against
General Warren is that the Fifth Corps was SLOW In
Its advance TO Gravelly Run Church. The testimony
according To Mr. Stickney, clearly established that
was made as quickly as il could be made and
q charge on tins point against General Warrep
he sand, was charge against all the chief officers in
bls corps The order for the speedy and immediate
advance was given by General Warren immediately
All the general officers in the corps understood that
they We're marching TO meet the enemy. and thai
Time was OF the utmost importance. There We're
lZ,OOO men IN the corps and they had TO move nm
single narrow road, Icy the flank. Tie distance
was about two and half miles, and the column
would cover about that distance on the road. Tie
rear of the column would have TO march five and a
halt miles before reaching the place of formation
The roads were heavy and blocked with ammuni-
tlon wagons and horses. The men marching would
take two and a half hours. General sheridan must
nave understood that, and if the infantry was not
az the front az the time he wanted il was no faut
OF General Warrcns General Sheridan gave tie
order Tor the SIX hours halt: not General Marnen
On ms own statement he LETT - 600 infantry halted
practically i've miles TO the rear of where e wanted
them TIL O'Clock in the afternoon, while tie
enemy was throwing up earthworks without inter
rupton.
MIR. Sticlney then took up in order the movements
OF each organization of the Fifth Corps. h. c0i,-
cindlng tins division of the argument lac gave the
general features OF the engagement.