The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-01-22
FIGHTING THEM OVER.
What Our Veterans Have TO Say About
Their Old Campaigns.
GETTYSBURG.

concerning the attack on the evening OF july
on that portion of his corps stationed on
Cemetery Hill, and the repulse Of the same, as
published in your issue of the 1st inst, 1t Is
apparent he STILL as in his essay or article pup
lished in The atlantic of July, 1876, tries to
convey the false impression that he dld not
call FOR any AID and that Carrolls Brigade was
sent 10 him without solicitation, and then only
assisted in restoring his line, etc. As stated by
James Bcale. in his article appearing IN the
same issue of your paper: After the many
times that Gen. Towards fctions have been
upset by appeal to historic facts, one views
with amazcinent his continuance in the errors
so often demolished"
Ii is charitable to call his omissions. misstate-
mcnts etc, errors but they are so numerous,
and his persstcncy in them is such, that one is
forced to believe they are purposely made. Gen.
Howard has from the first been unwilling to
admit that there was any actual break IN has
line on the evening of July ., or that his IN
fantry failed to properly support his batteries,
and hence he failed III his report, made within
the next few days. to give Gen. Carroll then
Colonel commanding and his Brigade the
credit of saving same. The fact is, three regl-
ments of Carroll's Brigade 9th Ohio, 18th Ind,
and 9Th w. Va recaptured two of his batteries,
re-established his line and had to hold same
that night and all of the following day, because
his infantry had IS fallen back TO find bet
ter position, and he was unable to bring them
the battle was over.
The following letters from Gen. Gibbon and
Can't. Huntington as well as the letter of Gen.
Howard, are interesting AZ the present time,
whilst the latter is narrating his Personal
"reminiscences his revised edition OF same;
and, lest / may be accused of making garbled
extracts, / give them in full, promising, how
ever, that Gen. Carroll has no knowledge of
my intention so TO do.
In the Aymy and Nary Journal of March IL,
1864, there appeared the following communica-
tions from "Adjutant" and Gen. Gibbon:
COL. CARRoLL's BRIGADE AT GETTYSBURG.
To THE EDITOR: Sir-In your issue of Feb. %,
Gays that Gen. Hancock sent seven regiments
3 to report TO Gen. Howard" In this re-
spect he is mistaken. Three regiments of this
brigade, under Col Carroll's command, were hrst
sent, and some time afterwards two more from the
Second Division. The two latter did not come to
the same part of the field our brigade, which
alone drove the enemy from Cemetery Hill out of
our batteries and held that portion of the line from
which part OF the Eleventh Corps had been driven.
As a corroboration i inciose letter from Gen.
Gibbon, who commanded the Corps at that time.
Respectfully, your ooedient servant,
"ADJUTANT."
Headquarters First Brigade Third Division. Second
Corps. March 6, 1854
GEN GIBBONS LETTER TO COL. CARROLL.
TOficial Business.
HEADQRs., RENDEzvous FOR DRAFTED MEN,
PHILADELPHIA, Pa, Feb. %, 1864.
you have failed TO receive from Maj Gen. Howard
the official acknowledgment to which you and
your brigade entitled by your services with his
corps at Gettysburg the night of the I'd and day
of the Sd of July. am very sorry to learn this,
more especially at so late day. as had been
present with my command should probably have
been able to do you and your gallant brigade
act of Justice which would have atoned in some
measure for your misfortune in being sent away
from your corps, where your services would
have been fully acknowledged, to the relief of ali
other, where, although am told they were appre-
ciated and acknowledged at the time, You failed to
obtain that public and official acknowledgment
which every soldier has right to expect to receive
as freely and frankly ii should be his duty 10
give il. As happened to be in command of the
Second Corps when your brigade was, at tie sug
gestion of Mai -Cien. Hancock, detached TO the
assistance of the Eleventh, 1 am, of course, cog
infant Of the circumstances attending the trans
action, and / feel it incumbent upon me-
your then commanding officer, TO do what to
repair what led TO believe is act of injustice
TO portion of my command. know nothing, of
course officially OF services whilst detached
from the Second Corps, but am not presuming
too much when, considering your reputation
soldier, the character of your command, and the
reports which reached me at the time and after
wards OF your timely arrival at and prompt recov-
cry of critical point, suppose them TO have been
OF the utmost importance la preventing the enemy
from obtaining foothold on the key 10 our posi-
ton-Cemctery Hill. You are at liberty TO make
what you deem proper of this communication,
and i shall be much gratifed if il aids you in any
way in obtaining just acknowiedg ment OF the
services of yourself and your command at the
battle of Gettysburg.
am, respectfully, your oDedent servant,
JOHN GIBBoH.
Brighten, Vols.
The following letter was also published, but
] have forgotten the date:
ANOTHER TRIBUTE TO CARROLL.
MARIETTA, o., March 25, 1864.
Brig.-Gen. JOHN GIBBoE.
GENERAL: Though have not the honor of your
personal acquaintance, / cannot refrain from ex-
pressing the qualification afforded me by your let
ter TO Col s. 3 Carroll in regard to his services at
under my observation. commanded brigade of
artillery reserve, posted Cemetery Hill and
have personal knowledge OF what was done by
Col. Carroll and his brigade. The Colonel called
10 me soon as he arrived on the HILL having,
ne said no precise orders and asked me where the
enemy were; and that point ascertaned, he needed
further information. say, and believe it can
be proved, that the prompt and gallant action of
Col Carroll saved the hill that Thursday evening
The value of that service it is hard to overesmatc
The enemy were actually in one of the batteries of
my command (liiclSettss, + and q, Pa. Art J. and
that portion of the Eleventh Corps who should
have supported it were too busy "redeeming"
themselves to attend TO that duty. had the honor
of serving under Col Carroll in the Shenandoah
campaign, and only echo the opinion of all who
knew him there, in saying that a Drawer more
thorough soldier never wore the uniform. In the
matter Of promotion, i consider him the worst used
man in the United States Army. AS have been
compelled TO leave the service from injuries
tanned in it, trust there is no improperly in thus
addressing you, the first general officer who, as
far as am aware, has done public justice TO Col.
Carroll.
i am, General, most respectfully, your obedient
servant, j. Il. HUNTINGTON,
Late Capt, LIST Ohio Light Art.
These publications brought forth the follow
ing from Gen. Howard, which appeared in the
Washington daily Chronicle of April s. 1864:
BE DID NOT INTEND TO SLIGHT CARROLL.
HDoRs ELEVENTH CORPS,
LOOKOUT VALLEY, TENN, March q, 1864.
To the Editor of the Chronicle
SIR: In the Army aud Macy Journal of March IL,
'64, also in the Cincinnati Commercial March "a
6s, letters appear from Brighten. John Gibbon,
commanding Second Corps complaining that the
services of Col S. S. Carroll ut the battle of Gettys
burg have not been acknowledged in the proper
official manner. II is with painful regret that
find il appearing that have not complimented
the gallantIy and efficiency of Col. Carroll in
such manner was my purpose. The let
ter / wrote Col Carroll was In no sense In
tended O private letter. j have q copy In my
official record which i most gladly have now
pleased if you will publish the same. lwould also
furnish you extract from my official report rela-
tve TO Col. CAROLS Brigade, had permission TO
publish IL. wish to say, in excuse for apparent
negligence, that j supposed his own corps COM
n1anders completely cosnZant OF the doings OF this
brigade al Gettysburg. j warmly subscribe to the
sentiment of Gen Gibbons letter SO far rs Il con-
Col Carroll, and publicly discaim any intell-
ton 10 do injustice to him any other gallant
soldier. / will add that have omitted to commend
several worthy officers who were connected with
me and rendered the most honorable and timely
service i acknowledge this with sorrow, but am
determined TO mako ali possible amends for such
omissions.
On the second day of the battle, towards even
ing. nay line being pressed sent an Abide Camp
70 Gen. Meade requesting re-enforcenents The
same Aid intfustHd with a order reUuest