The National tribune., 1889-11-07
FIGHTING THEM OVER
What Our Veterans Have to Say About
Their Old Campaigns
cAPEHARTs REJoINDER.
BE Goes for Capt. Huntington and COmrade Hursh

NATIONAL TRIBUNE Of Sept. 8, sincerely re-
gret; but much more on his account than mine.
II the opportunity had offered itself when i
first read in print the article on the Valley
Campaign Of 1862, In THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE,
about two years after il was written and for
warded should have toned down several parts
of il and made other changes though altering
il in no material matter of fact. should prob
ably have omitted altogether the paragraph
Objected 20 by Capt Huntington as unneces-
sary, all, with so few exceptions, having borne
themselves so gloriously; and L now hereby
withdraw il as having been unnecessary, ac-
quitting all of the charge, excepting Capt.
Huntington, and especially in considering his
anxiety 20 identify himself with 1t, as well as
other matters, and the nature OF his demand.
The words he objects TO are: All the artil-
lery could have been removed but for the fact
that some weakened artillerists including an
officer or two. rode OF on the horses, necessi-
Eating the abandonment OF four guns"
Capt. Huntington writes: That paragraph
is absolutely and, / may add, wickcdly false;
for il is both wicked and disgraceiul for SOL
der 20 publish charges affecting the honor of
his comrades, unless supported by the strongest
possible evidence. In this case there is not
semblsnce Of any. There is here no question
Of exaggerstion; hisso-called fact is ground
less falsehoOd. In the name of those men i
call on the author Of this charge 10 produce evil
dence that will sustain IL, or admit IT to be
groundless SANDER"
"'Tis WELL" according to the pToverb, " to
let sleeping dogs lie"; and presume 1t would
have been more agreeable in this case for all
concerned.
made no personal reflections. 1t Is always
osagreeable TO do so, unless il be in striving 70
right others from the stabs made by unworthy
men 70 hide their own wrong doings. IL is
also dissgreeable 70 rest under charge of
SANDER.
! am called upon TO admit myself slanderer.
or prove the truth of my words. i prefer TO
take the latter horn Of the dilemma
As preliminary il may be said that it APP
pears by letter (Moore's Record from Col.
Dunning, 5th Ohio, that he and Col. Daum
were the last field officers of the Union to leave
the battlefield of Port Republic, which will not
be disputed. There is abundant evidence in
the records 70 show that Gen. Carroll did not
leave much before them, and this viii not be
disputed. The doctor Of the LIST W. Va. Cav.
was also near, assisting in getting of the
wounded, which, however, is Of no impor-
tance, except as showing that he spoke with
some personal knowledge.
] first call 70 the witness-stand Gen. Carroll,
bis gallantry well known throughout all the
Eastern armies, whose evidence leads up 10 the
more important events that follow.
de says IN his report as 10 the occurrences at
Pert Republic, June e. page zoo. Vol. -, Part
OF the War Of the Rebellion, Official Records Of
the Union and Confederate Armies: The
enemy contested every inch Of ground, but We
drove his superior force for nearly hall mile,
and continued 70 drive him. A Louisiana regi-
mcut before our right was almost annihilated.
The battle lasted for about four hours without
Cessation. AT this time the enemys infantry
advanced upon our left and took possession OF
the batteries planted there. then told Gen.
Tyler that we must organize for a retreat, aud
n his request gave orders for the same. The
artillery was ordered 70 be brought 90 the rear,
with The exception Of two pieces, which. with
the 5th Ohio, were 20 cover the retreat. The
infantry on the right was Withdrawn, the bat
teTics on the left Tetaken. and the retreat was
effected as well Is could be expected myself
brought up the rear. Gen. Tyler having gone
forward 10 select position 20 make new
stand. As soon a. we commenced the retreat
the enemy turned and opened upon as portions
Of CiA.k's, Hunfingion's and RobinsOn's bat
teries. that they had taken from Us on the left.
j did all ] could 20 organ we the rear, but the
front was led with such speed that IL was inn
possible 10 do 80 under two OF two aud half
miies," etc
IT is evident that Gen. Tyler, at the front"
was moving with great CELEBRITY, aBd it is cor
Toborzted By other Witnesses who need not be
called. Capt. Huntington tells US that he was
IN Gen. Tylcr's company.
bow call 10 the stand Col. Philip Daum,
Chief Of Artillery in Shieldss Division and
under whom Capt Huntington was serving.
Il Is doubtful whether his sci-possession keen
intelligence, judicioDs action aud grand conr-
age Ia presence Of the enemy and in most des-
peTate battle, and even ia the most sudden and
critical emergencies, WAS ever excelled. and no
one will question his yeraeity, unless II Is Capt.
Huntington. lie says in his report, referring
90 events a. Port Republic, June 8, page Gg2
Vol. y, Of the Records % ! could have saved
some Of Capt. HuutingiOn's guns but his lin
bers bad gone long before this 10 the rear nor
could i sec Capt Huntington himself The
upon us aud We retrcated to the rear IN tolera-
bly, good order. One Of Capt. Huntington's
guns was careiessly left 10 the road half way
between the battle-ground and Conrad's Store.
The axle tree had been broken, aud although /
taught him ltte Captain) how 10 mend ID, il
was left 10 us fate. The gun was even IN
spiked bot Leut.-Col. shrieber, Acting In
sPect0=-General, spiked il and destroyed the
garage. Ia The same oishonorable manner
Capt Huntington left his forge upon the field .
Neither does Capt HuutIngton's name ap-
pear in Doi. Daum's honor list, though Capt
Gisrks oocs, with Others. including those Of
boys from the hand, 60. J., Light Artillery, the
I'll Iud. aud Isobins0n's battery.
The case j. left without comment 20 ths
readers Of THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE as the
jury.
IL may be said, however. that Capt. Hunt.
ingt9n has eyldcntly not studied the records
Ais knowledge therefore Of what they contain
other matters about which be writes ~ well.
Hence, il - sale 70 say The rest Of his com.
Inunicatlon, with his opinion that Shields was
vaingoriyus 70 The last degree, aud ineon,.
peieut - conduct independent operations" il
70 ~ the least, on q par with that part Of hi,
communication already particularly referred
10, aud renders is discussion unnecessary
even ~ the limit permitted. Bot il may bs
Eaid that the testimony given by Gen. Me
DVwcll before the Committee on the C0ndu
81 the War relative % occurrences at Front
Royal aud elsewhere is widely known. He was
however, tesilying largely in his own defense
while there was no one with the requisite in
formation. in the hurry and haste Of the time
o. prove the accuracy Of his statements. In fact
that testimony is 1atly cOntradicted by bis owf
dispatches from Trout Royal and elsewhere
with others, aud by bis ewn testimony belon
thecOuTt which. very leniently indeed, inquired
into isis OBn conduct later at his own request
but which csnsured aud RELOCATED him to com
parallye retirement from which he neye
emerged. lAis Is not all another court com
posed Of officers Of the very highest STANDING
for ability aud inPartislity, at which be wa
cue of the chief witnesses, has decided that hi
memory could not be relied on. 10 saw the least
IL being well known that Marlborough. IA,
great Frederick, Cromwell and others receivee
NO military education 10 speak Of and tina
Grant had none 10 boast Of, ] again ventur
70 say that the more one studies the IDEAS plan
and actions Of Gen. Shields, volunteer Gen
ersi, but with some experience in Mexico, TIA
more he would be convinced Of his eminen
capacity for high military command. Further