The National tribune., 1884-05-01
JUSTICE TO THE DEAD.
A Tribute to the Memory Of Brigadier-GeHeral j.
Il. Mansfield.


To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
was delighted to see the honest and manly
way in which General Howard, in his mono
graph on the battle of Antietam, published in
your issue of March %, speaks of the conduct
of Brigadier- General j. K Mansfield on that
bloody field. How sharply it contrasts with
what another general mas written about that
same old hero. refer You to the article con-
tributed to Scri5Her's M0Rth{V of October, 1878
by General E L. Yiele. in which that officer
goes out of his way to disparage the character
OF General Mansfield. The article IN question
is entitled "a Trip With Lincoln, Chase, and
Stanton" and it processes TO give the history Of
a visit which General Viele made In their COM
pany to Fortress Monroe in May, 1862 He
describes council held in the cabin during
the voyage, at which this mighty warrior ex-
planned to the President and Secretary how
Norfolk could be taken, and then goes on to
show how, after the arrival of the party at the
fort, they made a reconnaissance, and decided
to land the troops at Pleasant Point, aad then
march them on Norfolk. He then says that, in
company with Secretary Stanton and Secretary
Chase he started to the front, but, before he had
gone very far, Sfound that great deal Of con-
fusion existed in the command, and that there
upon Secretary Chase expressed to Gen. Wool.
in very strong language, his astonishment at
the condition of things and directed him TO
send General Mansfield 10 the rear to bring up
re-enforcements. This" writes Gen. Yiele,
brought about prolonged discussion between
General Wool and General Mansfield which
was carried on good distance from the road,
under the shadow of large sycamore tree.
Losing all patience, the secretary exclaimed:
Two cackling old hens and, turning to me
with voice and manner that would become
a Wellington or SOult, he said: Sir, I order
you, in the name of the President of the United
States, TO take command of these troops and
march them upon Norfolk"
Now, whether Secretary Chase ever used
such language or not in regard to these dis
tinguished generals / do not know, but it
should be remembered that Chase was no longer
living at the time General Yiele's article was
written, and certainly no gentleman would
put such words in dead mans mouth.
One of these Officers-Gen. John E. Wool
had distinguished himself in fighting for his
country long beforce his traducer was born,
and had won honors IN later war at a time
when General Yiele was just learning how to
use pen. He lived to aid his country in
third and greater struggle, and, despite this
imputation on his character, his name is still
revered and honored by thousands of brave
men.
The B-gadier-G General ]. K Mans
field-has also served his country long and
faithfully. He was every inch q gentleman
and soldier. About sixty years of age, his
long White beard and White hdIr gave him q
truly venerable appearance. In May, June
and July, 1862, he was in command at Suffolk
expecting to cooperate with Mcclellan, but the
latter's abandonment of the campaign against
Richmond left him idle at time when every
soldier was fearful lest the capital would be
captured. and he telegraphed to the Secretary
of War at Washington, as | am informed by
Mr.. Richard o. O'Brien, who was then chief tele-
graph operator at General Yiele's headquarters
in the custom house at Norfolk, and who is
now living at Scranton, Pa, as follows g feel
that the time has come when I can be of more
use to my country. and / respectfully ask for q
more active command" The answer soon came
back from Secretary Stanton: Come to Wash
ington at once;" whereupon he turned over his
command, went to Norfolk with his staff, and
embarked for Washington. A few days after
wards he was killed while leading his corps
(the 12thl into action at Antietam, while GEN
eral Yiele, who represents Secretary Chase as
calling General Mansfield cackling old hen, y
was at Norfolk under the guns of the Mime
sofa.
The men of the 1st. ID, Sd, 4th, 7th, 10th,
11th and Goth New York volunteers, the 11th
Pennsylvania cavalry, 18th Indiana, 10th
Massachusetts, and many other regiments will
always remember AMI revere Generals Wool
and Mansfield as brave and gallant soldiers.
Sergeant w. III. ARMSTRONG,
Troop B, 1st New York Mounted Rifles.
4 Nrrcr, Crr