The National tribune., 1883-03-22
A SLASHING CRITICISM.

General Howard's report is apologetic: @Ths
attack was 50 sudden and violent that the in
fantry in front of Ames was giving way. In
fact the enemy had got within the batteries.
Promptly a brigade of the Second Corps.
under Colonel Carroll, moved to Amss' right.
deployed, and went into position in time to
check the eneny'S advance.n-(D. 675) How
ard also wrote to Carroll as follows:
WARRENToy JUNCTION, Va July % 1863
wish TO thank you for the prompt support you
gave me on the evening of July ? at the extreme
right of General Ames' division. I was parsicrI-
larry weak at that point having only a single thin
line through which the enemy were Just breaking
You came up quickly. For this 1 tender you nly
hearty thanks--(p. 641-)
Colonel Carroll says: g I received orders To
move Immediately to the assistance Of part of
the Eleventh Corps, as they were deing driven
back Up. 445.)
Colonel Coons, commanding Fourteenth Ind,
CarrolPs Brig, says: Arrived at Ricketts, bat
terry, we found their support, belonging to the
Eleventh Corps, gone, and one Of their guns in
possession of the enemy."-(p. 450.J
General Tyler sums It up IN his report Of the
artillery reserve: =" The enemy was held in
check by the canHOneers. who succeeded in
checking them for moment, when part Of
the Second Corps charged in and drove them
baek."-(p. 207.)
MOVEMENTS OF THE CAVALRY.
As to the cavalry movements on our right
during Pickett's charge, we. are content to put
Mr.. Gerrishs unsupported assertions against
General ID. Mem. GFeggs official report ssThs
enemy's cavalry had gained our right and
were about to attack, with the view of gaining
the rear,of our line Of battle. The Importance
of successfully resisting an attack at this point
which, if succeeded IN by the enemy, would
have been productive Of the most serious con-
sequences, determined me to retain the brigade
OF the Third division until the enemy were
driven back."-(p. I23)
If Dir. Gerrish viii consult pamphlet enti-
tied the Right Flank at Gettysburg written
.a&lSpd General Gregg's estimate was not
Eer2ted. And In the Confederate reports
,ferrish viii discover Stuart expressly stat
ing the purpose was to effect a surprise on the
rear of our Union line of battle. The returns
of Generals Gregg and Custer show it cost our
cavalry 737 men to foil Stuart's purpose The
limits of this paper admit Of no more extended
notice of this outrageous blunder and mis-
statement" by the writer In Post and Camp.
Mr.. Gerrish complains he cannot discover
where the Count of Paris makes any statement
of the numerical strength Of the armies at Get
tysburg. III Mr.. Gerrisa viii examine the
Southern Historical Society Papers, April, 1873
PIP. 204-207, he will find very elaborate cal
culatiOn. The result, as given by the Count Is
" / think we caR say that Meade brought about
1860 blue-bellies against Lees $4,000 gray
backs" "The official figures of losses are, for
the Federals, 23,lo6; for the Confederates
%, 728"
In conclusion, Mr.. Gerrish is most earnestly
recommended to study well his own advice
and write in the future in relation to what
he knows, ard not assume the character of an
historical critic, when almost every sentence
of his article shows such outrageous bIunders
or miSstatements."
careful reading of the official documents
will, it is believed, induce Mr.. Gerrish to re-
tract many, if not all, of his present views. It
is to be regretted that be had not so prepared
himself ere he ventured to write on a topic
anent which so much has already been written.
1t is also to be regretted that he should have
lost his temper and been so forgetful Of the
Scripture-"He that ruieth his own spirit is
better than he who taketh strong city" 10 the
consideration of this text and a careful reading
of Gettysburg literature his attention is most
cordially invited
Where a citation in this article merely refers
to the page, the reference Is to the War Office
Reports on Gettysburg" As only few copies
were printed, I am unable to inform Mr. Ger
IRISH just where he can find the book, but it is
in existence and is volume well worthy his
closest perusal. JAMES BEAEE,
Formerly of Twelfth Mass. Vols
PHILADELPHIA, Pa, Feb. %, 1883.