Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1886-10-21


main portion of the enemy's force at
Perryville would have been captured.
Again be says: "The signal corps was
in operation, and signal stations estab.
lished to communicate intelligence from
different parts of the line to my head
quartes. What further precation could
be required, except the presence of COM
manders whose duty to communicate
with me was as well understood as
though it had been prescribed in their
commissions"
General Buell. has been severely criti-
cised for not being nearer the front on
tie day of battle, but in justice to him
it should be stated that owing to the
fact that his horse had fallen on him
the day before, he was physically unable
to ride the line even if it had been pru>
dent and wise for him to do so; but if
there had been no accident, and if he had
been physically able to inspect the front,
there was no good reason. so far as he
could see, why he should do it personally.
He had, in addition to General Thomas,
who was on the right, three corps com
manders on the field whose duty it was to
report to him every fuctuation in the
fortunes of the day. He had eight di>
vision commanders and one chief of cal
vary also, all of whom he had reason to
believe would advise him at once of any
threatening disaster.
In the absence of any appeal from them
for help, he had grounds for believing
that no aid was needed. The head should
not be blamed because the hands given
it to work with will not do their custo-
mary duty. No general of an army of
10000 men should be in its immediate
front, nor should he be changing from
point to point along the line. His place
is in the rear, where the commanders
of the various corps may find him, and
where intelligence may be sent by courr
rier or by signal. Hooker was impru+
IDENTIFY too near the front at Chancellors>
vile, and, being wounded, the army was
for three hours at the crisis of the bait
tie without head, and in consequence
suffered a terrible defeat. At Chantilly
General Phil Kearney, riding to the
front, was killed inside the enemy line,
and so, at the crisis of that battle the
Union forces were suddenly left with
out leader. Mcpherson fell at Atlanta
while doing in person what should have
been entrusted to subordinate, and the
Army of the Tennessee was greatly en-
barrassed by his death. The chief of
great many armies must necessarily trust
largely to the intelligence and vigilance
of his division and corps commanders.
1t is impossible for him to be present at
all points and give personal direction to
the numerous parts which go to make
up the whole. 1t is not this function to
fire a musket, or supervise personally
the operations of brigade or division.
If he were to undertake to do either of
the things mentioned his usefulness as a
commander of the whole would be int
paired, because his opportunities to su-
pervise and direct the whole would be
diminished.
General Buell's three corps at Perry
vile were in good position and we'll
abreast The signal stations to McCook
and Gilbert had been established, mes
sage could have been signaled to him
from the left and center in five minutes
A courier could have reached him from
the front in fifteen. But Gilbert, Sher
idan and Gay, with stupidity unparal>
leled in history neglected to advise him
of the situation, while McCook, hur-
ried, confused and distracted by the
disasters occurring in his immediate
presence lost his mental equipoise, and
failed to avail himself of the lines of
speedy communication with his COM
mander, which had been established for |
his special use. do not blame McCeok. |
He was young, in experience and had |
mucn 10 worry Dlm. But L DO think |
that Gay and Sheridan should have been |
censured, and Gilbert dismissed. And
this 1 believe will be the verdict of i'm
partial history.
Gen. Beatty's address was listened to
with great interest and frequently ap-
plauded. After he had finished. Hon. NJ.
H. Owsly of Kentucky. spoke a few earn
est words for the union of the states,
and was followed by Colonel W. s. Fu-
ray of Columbus, who, in a speech of
half an hour, closed the exercises of the
occasion. The great crowd then dispers-
ed and the Ohio people returned at sun
down to Danville.