The National tribune., 1884-10-16
CHANCELLORSVILLE AGAIN
The Responsibility for the Surprise on the Right
FIank-Deyepss Obstiuscy,

To THE EDITOR: Being an interested reader
of what is said about charlottesville, let me &c
| into positiO and fire few shots in support OF
| Serg't Conner's article in issue of Sept. IL.
| Perhaps Ordcrlies, Powder Monkeys and
| "sich " have no right to see and tell of what
| they know, when it runs contrary to Generals
| reports, also testimony of same before Con-
| gresSional Committee on the Conduct of the
| War
| Charlottesville has had some badly mixed
yes, very fase-reports of the operations Oh some
| parts of the field that will not bear examina-
ton. i had hoped Coils. Mclean, Lee Hough-
| ton and Won elisa would tell what they saw
and knew of the part taken by their commands,
| etc. But as they are doing good hard work
fighting mid Logan" / will have my say now,
| trusting they will come to the front with their
reports when the campaign is over. As Conner
says, McLean's Ohio Brigade was not surprised,
but were literally swept away by the force and
suddenness of the cyclone rush Of the enemy.
Col Lee, of the 55th Ohio, reported twice, and
both times went with Mclean to Gen. Dovens
at division headquarters, that the enemy were
massing troops in his front. Col. Houghton, of
| the 25th Ohio, also took two of his men who had
been scouting in front to Mclean, reporting
the same as Col. Lee bad At one of these re-
ports-Lee's or Houghton's-Devens laughed
ut it, saying: The Ohio ColonelS are scared" "
etc. Some cavalry also reported to Devens that
the enemy were in large force in his front; to
which Devens sneered and lmpatlentiy ex-
claimed: Il wish l had some cavalry that
could make reconnaissance that could be de-
pended upon," etc. The impression is strong
among many OF the boys that nevens sent this
same cavalry out twice with orders to be care
full and not bring on any engagement should
they find the rebels. The cavalry reported to
Devens. These facts can yet be subStantiatcd
by living witnesses, if desired, and they all 90
to show that Gen. Devens, i'll command of the
First Division, Eleventh Corps, did not give
proper attention TO the reports from his front
that the situation and circumstances demanded
they should have. Also many think Gen.
Deyens failed to make any report of these facts
TO Gen. Howard at corps headquarters.
About Hooker's letter to Howard for him 70
strengthen his line and guard his right from
attack, many of the boys would like to know
the actual facts about it, as they have good rea-
son to believe Howard did not see or know of
it till long after May 2, 1868. The understand
ing about HUoker's letter that Col Mey
senburg, HOward's Adjutant- General, received
it, put it in his pocket, and neglected to show
ii to Howard. Some time alterward. on the
Gettysburg campaign, about Edwardss Ferry,
perhaps, Col Meyseuburg, in overhauling his
pockets, was surprised at this letter of Gen.
Hooker's turning up. Meysenburg then had
his clerk quietly place it on file as received
May 2. This may explain the difference be-
tween Hooker's and Towards account of this
matter. Win Col. Meysenburg or any other
man explain this. Gen. Howard was a good
soldier, and many think him an honest man
who would not Intentionally wrong, deceive or
falsify the records of charlottesville, which is
more than can he said of all the officers who
took part in that battle.
Feeling that the boys should be on record
about these disputed points before it is too late,
l have ventured to fire my gun, trusting it
may be call that will bring others to the
frunt.-PowDER MONKEY.