The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-11-08

ond Division, which was held in reserve Just
below the Carter House, on the pike, was rushed
to the froHt. the earthwoTl,s recaptured and
some GOO men who were inside our lines taken
rs prisoners
As soon as Opdycke's Brigade had retaken
the works the greater number of those who
had come in from the advance position, as well
as those who had yielded to the first onset of
the enemy, went back to the trenches and
there fought herOiCally. It has always been
disputed point and likely will remain so, as to
who was responsible for the order placing the
two briEades in the position where the enemy
found them. and leaving them there really
without definite orders or instruction OF any
kind It is obvious that officers and men
thought that they were to fight there, or they
never would have made an effort to cover their
front; neither would they have remained until
the very last moment, knowing we'll that to
fall back. as they must necessarily do, on run,
with the enemy at their heels, was likely to
not only cause confusion in the main line,
which they saw Was still manned, but also
would prevent the fire of their comrades, and
thus screen the enemy until all had reached
our works at about the same time, friend and
foe commingled.
Gen. Wagner 10 the day Of his death insist
ed that the two bTigades were placed IN adj
vance by order of Gen. Schoield, who did not
believe that Hood would attack us IN SO strong
demonstrated the to say the least improbable
ity of driving such soldiers as had been en-
gagged IN it on both sides, who now confronted
each other again. from well-comstructed earth
works.
Gen. Wagner was relieved and ordered else
where, and it is only fair TO his memory to say
that the Second Division of the Fourth Corps,
or what Is left Of them, simply believe that he
was made a scapegoat to bear someone else's
sins, aud they believed so at the time. 1t
simply remains TO say that assault after assault
was made, and Obstinately, stubbornly, ferO-
ciously resisted by the men in the trenches.
The outside OF the pile of earth was occupied
by the rebels, the inside by as brave and loyal
a little army IS ever was willing to die for
their country. There were no orders; none
were needed or could be given. The brave
rebels were determined to get in, and our gal
liant heroes. though largely outnumbered,
simply said No" and meant and enforced
their denial. The battle Of Nashville, fought
three weeks afteTward, was really won at
Franklin. Scores of men on the Confederate
side who fought there at Franklin have as
sured me that in that murderoUs conflict the
fight was taken all out of Hoods army, and the
process of disintegraton there begun was
merely completed at Nashville.
As Will be readily seen in this paper, no at
tempt IS made to gloFify any individual or any
special command. The writer does not know
what orders were received by other regimental
commanders OF the commanders of the two
brigades, but il would seem a natural inference
that all were instructed alike, for all held on
until run over by the enemy That blundeT
inexcusable was committed is plain enough,
and the General in command of our army could
see the whole position from where he stood IN
the fort on the north side of the river Whether
he should have changed the order of battle and
seen 10 it that the advance, which he calls
brigades of observation in his report, was
withdrawn in time and in order. OF whether
someone else in authority should have done so,
must be left to military casuists able to demon
strate what they will if permitted 10 assume
the premises.-H. LEANING, 10th Ind.