New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-04-17
TWO GENERALS IN CONFLICT
DOUBLEDAY STORMS HowARDs DEFENCEs.

Doubleday STORMS HOwARD'S DEFENCES
RECALLING THE EVENTS OF CHARLOTTESVILLE
AND GETTYsBURG--A DIRECT ISSUE AS TO THE
FACrs-MEMoRY VERSUS THE RECORDS.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
SIR: I read in your paper of the sth inst. General
Towards attack the accuracy of that portion OF
my account Of Charlottesville and Gettysburg
which refers to him. and beG leave 10 repyas brief
~ rs possible.
CHANCELLOESyILLE.
He begins with the surprising admission that no
had not read my book but had merely seen extracts
from il; ut least this is what the reporter quotes
lin as saying. This leads him into error at once,
for he assumes that said Grahan's brigade report
ed to him on the I'd of May whereas If he
had looked at the book instead or the
newspaper. he would have that | refer TO
the movement as taking place under the heading of
Friday, the 1st of May. He wastes more than half
n column on this false Issue, which he gives as a
striking example to shO@ that had not consulted
the records. particularly those at Washington.
How does he know thati For moro than ten years
| have been collecting and tabuating information
concerning these battles Much Of this was col
lected in Washington. have not been there within
the last wear is true but the reports have been in
existence ever since the war There is an immense
mass of material in private and public Libraries here.
and al the Military Institute on Governors Island
the reports Of Charlottesville and GettyS-
burg, edited and printed by the War Depart
ment are accessible. | have examined all
these and was engaged for long time in
taking notes of the Southern historical
papers in the Aston Library. ] also spent two
weeks opposite West Point TO confer with General
Howard and get all the information / coud from
him and the library there.
The next point he makes is that Hooker must
ltt,
take, as Towards headquarters were already there
but Hooker evidently thought that flank was
weak, and wished il TO be well guarded. Had How
ard retained this brigade and posted il in advance
on the plani. road, it might have prevented the
great disaster that occurred the next day. but he
told Graham he had no use for il that he could re-
sst any force sent against him, and that he
required no assistance He says that
Hooker. as lie rode by his position in
the morning, exclaimed ." How strong" but
Hooker must have referred to the rlfe-pis made to
resist a front attack. In reference to the Hank at
tack which he feared might take place he wrote to
Howard, You have no dcfences worth naming
He also informed him that he had too few troops
formed in that direction, and that they were badly
posted
Howard now becomes Indignant and goes
on to cay: "The story about my remaining IN
perfect indifference all day is absolutely false
! charged him with being apathetc ana indifferent
10 Jackson's approach. If lie did not disregard all
the warnings and information which constantly
came in to him during the day there Is no truth IN
history Many instances can be given besides those
have stated in my book. In con-
necton with this, to show his activity
he saws he constantly sent staff Off
GERS to ride up and down the lne In
spite Of Nh that the men were utterly unprepared to
l. L. ,til IA,
eases they were away from their arms, their line
was cucuInb red with pack mules and ambuiauccs
and thew were engaged in cooking and Strengthening
cattle for their supper.
II seems strange enough that Howard should have
come 10 the conclusion that frightened at
the appearance of Our Anny-was making OIL to get
outoi our way leaving remnant OF the Confederate
Army under Lee to shift for Itself. Howard tacitiy
admits that he thought this, for he says: 1t was
the prevalent idea that Jackson was making of
toward Orange Court House" This explains his
want OF PREPARATION lack of interest andsncredulity
when spies and scouts came il 10 inform him that
the enemy approaching.
fIc also believes that the interview between him
self and Won Gilslrelated in my book il the pro-
dnct OF my Imagination. Ii can he found in book
written by German officer of the Eleventh Corps,
who passed four gears and half in our Army. As
he speaks well of his corps commander there is no
reason to suspect him Of prejudice. [ think the
work is now il the New-lorll Historical Library,
bn; cannot recall the authors name.
To explain his oyer-cOniidence when Graham re-
norted to him on the lst, Howard says our line at
that time was continuous, and if ne had been at
tackled on his right rear Scklos and Slocum would
have faced their corps about and have come TO his aid
Twas always taught that each commander must
look out for his own front and in of necessity
a.. Ialn Ia ant. not
other portions OF the line. For aught that Howard
knew on the LIST of May if an attack came against
his right rear. half Of Lees Army might have been
thrown upon Sckles and Slocum ut the same time.
He saws after the flight of the Eleventh Corps the
enemy were held in check by a new line formed
across the plank road Berry taking the right and
| UIowar,D the left" doubt If this is correct.
Warren rallied Of the Eleventh Corps batteries
to tie support Of Berry, and they joined by
others from the Twelfth Corps Warren says he
turned over the command to Captain Best,
who was then chief of Sloeum's artillery. He
does not mention Howard as being there at all.
GETTYSBURG.
General Howard is disturbed to know the reason
of my aniInus against HIM. He must be aware
that never had any disagreement or personal dit-
Guilty with him. | have tried to write the truth
from a sense of duty, and not from any desire to
hurt him or Others. 1t is sometimes very unpleasant
to relate what actually occurred in battle for the
partsans and relatives of different Generals who
claim to have done everything become bitter and
aggressive They ascrbe personal motives to
the writer the principle that if YOU cannot dis
putc the evidence, abuse the plaintiffs attorney"
General Howard now admits that he did not do
Justice to the First Corps and attributes it to the
fact that they aid not forw ard their official reports
to him. Had he desired to do 50 h. could have seen
these papers Mt General Meades headquarters. but
as the reports OF their officers are on file the