The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1883-01-10

Washington, 9.-Geperal Longstreet,
by request Of the NGtionG6 Republican,
sends that paper the following letter:
ATLANTA, Ga, Dec 80, 1882.
Gen. q. s. Grant, NeaU York:
MY DEAR SIR. It occurs to me that
an account of parallel circumstances
passing in the army of northern Virginia
before AID during the second Manassas
to those leading to Fitz John Porter's
trial, may be proper sequel to your re-
Gently published paper referring to his
case. 1t is but juat, however, to admit
for argument, those Whe hold to the find
ing of the court-nsrtial they seem to ig-
more q well recognized custom of war.
Superior officers are not confined to
the rule that holds the army
all circumstances to the letter OF orders
OF its chief but are expected and re-
quired to exercise due discretion when
not in his immediate presence. No
doubt cases have occurred in your expe-
rience where an officer was as deserving of
reproof for failing to exercise such dis
erection as for failing to obey orders.
Early on the 29th of August, 1862, at
the head Of my column, arrived in
striking distance of the battle in progress
between part OF the army OF the Pc.
tomRc and Gen. Jackson's wing of the
army of Northern Virginia. Upon see-
ing the approach Of our column, the fed
eral troops were withdrawn to defensive
position. Little retired before, as testi-
fed by myself and others before the
Schofeld board, my command was de-
ployed and formed on Jsckson's right,
at right angles to the Warrentep pike,
and extending to and beyond Manassas
Gap Railroad. As soon as deployed
General Lee indicated his purpose O!
having me attack. Intending to exc.
cute his plans l asked time TO recon.
noitre the new position and ground inter.
venlng. After reconnaissance | reported
the position strong and that the sacrifice
was likely to be such as to cause eppre
hension OF q failure. He did not seen
satisfied, and ! was considering thu
propriety of making his order NOR
definite, when information was received
from General Stuart, Of the approach o
federal troops upon my right. Thi
drew attention to that part of the felC
for . time, but when it appeared thi
force was hardly strong enough for 81
attack, the question of attack by the frs
corps was resumed. As the day was fa
spent I suggested force reconno issanc
at nightfsll, and preparations for tn
action of the day following. This wa
accepted; the reconnaissance, However
satisfied General Lee and myself tina
battle should not be made st this point, E,
l withdrew :about midnight to grounC
we had occupied before our advance
| NEXT day the federals renewed the battl
against Jackson. As we were not en-
gagged or seriously threatened, rode GU
in advance Of my line in search of q
opportunity to take my share of the BAT
tie. and found number of my officer
collected at point from which they ha
fair view Of the masses swelling u
against Jackson. From this point it VS.
evident that batteries having the rang
offire could dispense the attack and som
Of our batteries were ordered forWar
info position and prepare. MeanWhil
an order from General jackson, askin
for reinforcements, and almost iLamed
ately after came an order from sGeneri
Lee, to send some of my brigade [
Jackson. It did not seem probable thi
troops could reach jackson in time
sent. At the same time there was L
doubt of our dispensing the attack BY tt
fire of our artillery. Under the circun
stances l felt compelled to disregard IL
orders and operate upon my own Judi
ment. The fire of our batteries produce
the results anticipated. When the q
taeking forces were dispersed. n
command was sprung to the charge al
swept the field. Had I thus engag,
the day before it is more than probabl
Porter would have been in good seasc
to take me on the wings and would, in 6
probability, have crushed me. Had
stopped to reinforce on the second ds
it is hardly probable jackson could hs
held till my troops could have reach,
him. AS you state, it was not possit
for Porter to attack under the 4.S0 orde
failure to do which is alleged to be |
high crime. If We may suppose that
received the order at 4.50 and had {
tackled he would have given US the O
portunity we were so earnestly seeki
all that day and in the disjeinted conc
ton OF their army on that day {
result might have have been more Sc
GUS than that of the next day, (
Both. Now, if we suppose that my
TACK on Inc afternoon OF the 30th
failed, we shall see the evidence again
me would have been stronger than IL
against Porter. Yet, with the earn
desire to meet the order of my chief
felt it would be more culpable to execV
than disobey them. AS we were suoce
fal there was no room to question, as |
d only safe rule to guide the Judgment
such cases. II in the exercise Of disc
ton, one beeomesi the direct cal
OF failure, he should only be {
judged as failing in generalship. If
intention is to bring discontinue W
tina arms it is criminal. Soon after
q campaign was promoted and assign
~ as senior lieutenant general OF the @
tederate army;
al With highest respect,
or Your most obedient servant,
II (Si0nodA TA1rro To,-1e-V-,x, r