The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-05-20
MOBILE.
Col. Brown oOrrec.s Chaplain Howard.


To THE EDITOR: In the issue of your paper
of Feb. %, sc, / notice an article written by
Chap. R. L. Howard, 124th Ill, criticizing an
article from Comrade Fry of an earlier date. i
see that Chap. Howard sets himself up rs an
historian, and as a historian il seems TO me
that he should illuminate the pages of history
with facts taken from what actually occurred.
The portion of his article 70 which wish
TO call the attention of comrades is this:
But where was that gallant veteran, Gen. A.
]. Smith, with his Sixteenth Corps, who first
drove the enemy into Spanish Fort on the
9th of March, while the Thirteenth Corps was
back at Sibley's Mills" No greater misrep-
resentation was ever penned by man.
The Sibley Mill referred to, presume, is
what is given on the map as Daniels's Mills
Now, how does the brother know that the Thir-
teenth Corps was back at Che mill, rs he states
in his article? Was he there himself 10 sec?
1t appears to me that that would have been a
little too far in the rear even for Chaplain 10
be.
But what are the facts in this case. After
the two Corps arrived at Fish River they be-
came as one column in the investment Of
Spanish Fort.
The evening of the 26th the Thirteenth
Corps went into camp in line with the Six
teenth, and as near 20 the enemy. After erect
ing our temporary breastworks aud attending
to other necessary affairs, ], in company with
some of the officers Of my regiment went over
TO the headquarters Of Gen. A. J. Smith 10 make
him a friendly call, as the regiment had had
the honor OF serving under the old veteran for
about year, during what is known as the
Vicksburg campaign. When / returned 10 my
regiment an order was awaiting me detailing
my regiment for skirmish duty the next day,
March 9th, and In accordance with that order
i reported 10 Gen. Benton, our Division COM
mander, just as the light Of day appeared in
the east, and went Immediately 10 the front
and deployed my regiment as skirmishers.
My recollection is that the 95th occupied the
entire line Of our division front. j know that
j had charge Of the whole line in front of
Bentons Division the entire day and up to IL
o'clock at night. The right of the Thirteenth
Corps skirmish-line Joined the left Of that Of
the Sixteenth Corps, the right of the Sixteenth
Corps rested on the bay above the fort, and the
left Of the Thirteenth Corps line rested on the
bay below the fort. The left OF the line, of
which had charge, Joined the right of Gen.
Neatchs line. As the sllirmishers Of Gen.
Veatch's Division advanced the ground became
narrower, and the right of their line Tapped over
that Of our Division, and in trying 10 correct
the irregularities of the lines / received evil
dence of my presence in front Of Spanish Fort,
instead Of being at Sibley's Mill, as the Chap
lain AYERS, that / shall carry with me 70 my
grave. And / am not the only one Of my COM
mand who are carrying such evidence with
them. The members Of the 9Sth haven't for
gotten the way the rebels "lit out" for the fort
as We came or them that morning; for this
matter was fully discussed at our last Reunion,
Jan. IL, '66. / haven't rushed into print" TO
defend Comradc Fry. Judge from his article
and those Of his critics that he needs no re-
inforcements.-A. III. Brown, Lieutenant Colo
mel, Goth Ohio, Bloomfield, o.