The National tribune., 1888-03-01
"soUTHERN LoYALIsTs.
Cept. Burnett RepIies TO col jackson.


EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: My attention
has been called to an article entitled South
ern Loyalists in your paper some time ago
which is not IN all respects correct. i was an
Camp on the stsff of Maj Gen. Hurlbut
up to the time he was relieved Of command,
and was then transferred to a similar position
on the staff of Ma.-Gen Washburne; hence l
was in position TO know the inside facts in
regard to the subjects treated of in that article
] was also acquainted with w. w. Jackson,
later Colonel of the 1st Miss, the writer Of that
article, and was at Memphis, Tenn, at the time
that regiment was organized. The rank and
| file of that regiment was composed Of the poorer
class of refugees, who were so iliterate that
they had to be ofiicered from other commands
as is stated in that article; but the reason that
they were not mustered sooner was that they
were not sufficiently efficient to justify such
action. 1t was on aecout of this latter fact that
ill-feeling arose between Col. Jackson and w.
III. Morgan, 4. A.-G, staff of Gen. Washburue,
which viii explain many of the errors contained
III the article referred to. The writer mentions
A. j. Smiths expedition to Tupelo, Miss. and
says he would If left to himself, have gone to
Mobile, Ala. Gen. Smith was too good an Off
Ger 10 risk his men in any such manner, as 10
60 TO Mobile at that time with that force meant
capture for his whole army. Again, the writer
/ says Forrest raided the Capital and nearly
| captured Washburne and his Adiutant. At the
/ time of that raid all the available force was
/ with Gen. A. j. Smith, else Forrest would not
/ have been able to make that raid Washburne's
| Adjutant at that time was in Wisconsin, so
! that he was not in great danger of capture by
/ Forrest.
Now as to the Sturgis expedition. Washburne
was compelled by the orders of the War De.
partment to send out that expedition or sub.
! ject himself to the reproach of timidity, oil
which Col. jackson unjustly accuses him in
the Tupelo matter. Forests forces were no
greater than those of Sturgis. The cotton
field niggers" fought just as well, and on tina
disgraceful rout brought back more guns anC
accouterments in proportion to their numbers
than the rest Of Sturgis's command. The Gauss
of that defeat cannot justly be laid to eithe
Gen. Washburne or the men of the expedition
nor, may add, TO Gen. Forrest
! well remember the chagrin Of Capt Wright
A. A. ON, at the loss of the magnifcen
wagon train of over 200 wagons at Guntown
and how had 10 send additional ratons to tn
defeated troops as they fell back TO La Grange
Tenn. Gen. StuTgis boastiHgy said to me be
fore he started, that he would lick Forrest o
get licked y; but ne did not lick Forrest Thes
remarks were made on Sunday, previous to Ger
Sturgis's start, at Dr. Creightons quarters, o.
Beadle street, Memphis. Tenn.
/ write this iB defense Of Cen Washburn
and Maj. Morgan, who are both dead, and who
while they made mistakes, were not timid, no
were they responsible for Sturgiss defeat.
The loyal Mississippi regiment doubtless d
good scouting duty. They could do that vel
on account OF their acquaintance with til
country. There were good men among then
and brave. The only criticism have to max
on them is that they were not strong on dres
parade.-S. J. BURNETT, A. d. c., staff Mai
Gen. Washburne; Captain, 33d Mo.