The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-08-16
rhs NIneteenth corps At ceaar SO.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: I wish to ask
those who cannot admit that any fighting was
done by any troops other than the Sixth Corps
at Cedar Greek, Oct. 10 1864, if they ever heard
of the Second Brigade, First Division, Nine
teenth Corps, at that place, composed of 5th
VT, 18th Conn, I60th n. Y. and 47th Pa.-the
Reserve Brigade Of the Nineteenth Corps com
manded at the time by Col. Stephen Thomas,
afterward Brigadier- General, u. S. Vols; that
brigade which, ct the first sound Of the enemy's
guns fell in and marched out perpendicular
with the pike, then forming parallel with the
pike stood like stone wall against the whole
force; then, On the left flank, making stand
after stand against what every man in the
ranks knew TO be hundreds to one, in order
that time might be given for the Sixth Corps
to form and get into position; brigade of
only about 1900 strong / know, for l made
out their reports monthly and tri-monthly)
fighting against hope, expecting to die or 20 to
Richmond, losing over half their men killed,
wounded and missing, and then only falling
back as ordered, and not losing their formation,
so that what was left were in at the finish
Did not those who are now throwing mud at
the Eighth and Nineteenth Corps ever hear of
this little brigadef There were some others in
the two divisions Of the Nineteenth Corps also
who would never have fallen back If they had
not been ianked both rear and on the left.
well remember cavalry soldier informing me,
WINE btIiAliS lOE inc Pike anu rear WESLJ VI
Middletown, not to go there, for they had four
lines more than a mile In length on our flank.
Now question If a single brigade in any
corps under as adverse circumstances ever
fought better than the old Second Brigade,
First Division, Nineteenth Corps did that day.
And there was one good story afterward going
! the rounds Of the camp in regard to some Of it.
! / do not youch for the truth Of it. The story
| goes that Lieut.. James Witherill, on the staff
| at brigade headquarters, rode mp to Gen. Nc
| MILAN, who was 10 command of the division in
| the morning, telling him that Col. Goblin fought
/ his regiment like the - that day; and that
! the General remarked
well, who wouldn't fight with such name
! as he has got-John Peter Shindall Goblin 2"
! Now, would only ask those who say so much
| against tho Nineteenth Corps to get copies OIL
| General Orders Issued by Gen. Sheridan after
| Sept. 10 and Oct. 10, 1864, and read what be
said regarding al the troops engaged. There
| could be no better troops than the Sixth Corps
yet others might be as good. Gen. Emory was
not q man whe would run himself and his men
knew he was worthy to command; and the rec
| ord he made with his division in Louisiana
and Virginia is good enough at least. Had The
Sixth or any other corps could have alone
checked the enemy that forenoon?
Now, boys, these quarrels over who did tht
| fighting" are all of little account when we stol
and consider that we all did all we could unde
the circumstances, aud before we cry dow
others let US find out all the reasons and Civ
each the credit due.-LE Roy SHELLEY, 6tl
Vt, Putney,sYt.