The National tribune., 1885-06-11

commanding to say the disposition you have made
OF your Corps has been with view of front at
tack by the enemy. IL he should throw himself
upon your flank, he wishes you TO examine the
ground and determine upon the position you will
take in that event, i'll order that you may be pre-
pared for him in whatever direction he advances.
He suggests that you have heavy reserves wen III
hand to meet this contingency.
RliC,-Cien and A. ID. G.
We have good reason to suppose that the enemy
is moving to our right. Please advance your PICK
cts for purposes of observation as far as may bc
safe in order to obtain timely information OF their
approach.
Notice this order, dated nearly two months
before, now that Gen. Hooker (who gave IT. Is
relieved and has left his command, is for the
FIRST TINE PLACED ON FILE
in the archives of the Eleventh Corps. Amongst
the official copies which had prepared to be
used in Washington of all papers pertaining to
the Charlottesville campaign, this important
order, of infinitely more Importance than all
the rest put together, did not appear. These
questions at once arise: Where had this order
been? Why not on file, and why not among
the other official copies of the campaign mat-
ter? Why was il filed nearly two months alter
ward, and not until Gen. Hooker had been re-
lieved? Who suppressed or concealed tins
order? Was it received promptly ana before
Stonewal Jackson attacked our right? III re-
ceiyed promptly, and nine hours OF timely
notice given of this anticipated attack from
Gen. Hooker to Gen. Howard, why was 1t not
obeyed? Why was it utterly and crimlnaiiy
disobeyed, resulting in the defeat OF Gen. HOOK
er's most admirable planP
Remember the order is dated $3.50 q. m, and
the attack took place at 6 p. N.
From a private communication which L re-
ceived from Gen. Hooker after the war, which
lies before me rs write, make the following
extract:
have 20 request that you viii furnish me Mt your
earliest convenience all that you know concerning
that paper referring 10 this orderl Inc world at
large has known but very little of that campaign
up to this time, and now that an opportunity mas
presented Itself. am determined TO communicate
all the facts OF il to the public. The army, gencr-
ally understands them already pretty fully, but the
public remains Ill utter darkness III regard 10 them.
As YOU were in that army you well Know bow
magnicently the campaign opened, but how bGr-
rem IL WAS OF results. You also doubtless know the
reasons determining the end.
With great regard, have the honor TO be- your
friend ana servant, (SlG1 }. HOOKER,
Maior-General.
Gen. Rockers health failing, he never COM
ple;ed or published his contemplated memoirs
of charlottesville. and he has now gone to
his last rest.
How many Of my comrades of the Eleventh
Corps or OF the Army OF the Potomac, either
friends, defenders or critics Of brave Old Joe
Hooker, ever heard before or knew CT the eS-
istence of this order-an order giving complete
direction and warning to be prepared for an
expected attack on the right, and sent from his
headquarters eight and half hours before this
attack took place? Had this order been obeyed
and the army of Stoncwall Jackson, isolated as
it was from Ice by miles of distance, been de-
feated and destroyed what would have pre-
vented Hooker from ending the rebellion then
and there by the destruction of the remaining
forces Of Lee?
Somebody's blunder," or disobedience of
orders, or neglect Of duty caused the trouble.
Was il HoclSer's fault, my comrades? Still, he
is the one who suffered, and the Eleventh Corps
has always also unjustly and unfairly been
criticised. Put the blame where it belongs, if
you can find out where that is, but certainly
not TO Gen. Hooker or the rank and file of the
Eleventh Corps.
Gen Howard in a recent article says he did
his duty at Charlottesville, and is willing TO
submit the whole case to his comrades in arms.
A satisfactory answer to these questions, ii
they can be answered, would be gratefully re-
ceived by Gen. Joseph Rockers friends, and
especially by the rank and file of the old Elev-
enth, Twelfth and Twentieth Corps.-H. NJ
KELLOGG, Private, Co. G, 55th Ohio.