The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-04-16
The Clilr1e at Yiesshury.

To THE EDITOR: Mr.. NJ NJ. Lacy, in late
number of THE TRIBUNE. gives his opinion OF
"what would have b,e done at the charge of
Vicksburg, May y, 1863, had McClernand been
supported" If Mr.. Lacy was member of the
First or Second Brgades OF Carr's Division he
has an undoubted right to express an opinion
on this matter. for it was at the point of the
line assaulted by Carr specified by McClernand
that help was needed and where he (McCler-
nand) reported to Grant that he had broken the
rebel line and his men were in their works
This may have appeared true TO him, but he
was not near enough to see for himself; neither
were any of his bri gade or division commanders
There were few men Of the 21st Iowa, of the
Second Brigade, IL little way to our right, who
went over into the works. Some of these were
taken prisoners and portion of them escaped.
The flags of some of the regiments of both the
First and Second Brgades were stuck in the
outer walls of their works, and go remained for
some time, being protected by the men who
had charged clear mp to the works and were in
the bitches and lying on the outer slope, the
writer of this being one of this number. who
lay as close TO their works as space would per-
NIT and lay very close to the ground too, from
1880 n. m. until about p. m, the command
ing officer present being Col. Washburn, of the
18th Ind. The situation was one Of extreme
peril. We could keep them down in our front.
but from both right and left they could murder
us. Lieut.. Meinhodt, Of Carr's staff, think,
came 10 us about p. NJ, asking US TO hold our
position as McClernand would send up rc-en-
forcements, and shortly before 6 y. IN. Boomers
Brigade Of Quimby's Division came up to point
about 800 yards in our rear, but were met by
such whitening fire that they could come no
further, and il was then that Col. Washburn,
seeing the hopelessness of our position, said to
the boys: 1--WE must get out of here. Save
yourselves the hest you can" And for Com
rido Lacy'5 Information, il was then that we.
one by ore, stole away; and we were all
from the First brigade. Grants position was
such that he conld see the point the line in
controversy quitoas we'll as McClernand. and he
said at the time that he felt that it would be u
useless waste Of life to send men in there at that
time, and so it proved 1t was too late then
everything but little squads Of disorganized men
had been driven back, and the rebels. for the
first time since our crossing the Mississippi,
were flushed with victory and eXultant. Mc-
Ciernand had the finest corps in the army. He
was envious of Grants growing popularity. He
was q most capable and excellent corps COM
mander, but on that day his Judgment was at
fault. He had the material to have carried his
name high upon the roll of fame but he did
not comprehend tho situation. Some of the
best military critics have said that had he
n,as<ed his corps and driven it at single point
FicksbErg woald have fallen that day, and the
Thirteenth Corps would have had the post of
honor in history. We who were there know
that tho first onslaught of Carrs Division came
very nea- going through. and had Hovey, even,
followed close at our heels we would have
broken their liue.-C. ID. NORRIS, 33d ILL.,,
Columbus Kan.