The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-07-17
CHARLOTTESVILLE.
Gen. Howard aud the Eleventh. Corps in the Dlsas.
trGus Battle.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: While stop
ping in Fredericksburg, visiting the various
battlefelds and campgrounds. in 1889, | had
conversation with several Confederate officers
and soldiers. Among the rest was Mr.. Cham
ccllOr, who lives near the Wilderness Church.
where the Eleventh Corps were SO completely
surprised and | found by conversation with
them that the Confederates have more sympa-
thy for Gen. Howard than the Union soldiers.
While viewing the position held by tho
Eleventh Corps with Mr. Chancellor, / crti.
cizcd Gen. Howard and his subordinate Gen.
erals in quite severe language for taking po
sition to receive an attack and then being so
completely surprised, some being even un-
dressed and in bathing. while others were
stroiing so far away from where their guns
were stacked that they were perfectly useless /:
aud, in fact nearly the whole line in the vicin-
lty OF the Wilderness Church was not in posi-
tiOn TO repulse an attack when Stonewall Jack
son made his sudden advance.
Mr.. Chancellor replied as follows: Cen
Jackson selected men from his command who
resided IN this vicinity and were we'll nc
quainted with the different by paths aud roads
leading through tho thiclsets of the Wilderness
that lay between Jackson and Towards posi-
ton. He then had detailed small squads OF
soldiers 10 accompany each one of these men
upon their different routes, and they got into
the rear of Towards yidots, aud while their
squads OF Contcderates would advance upon
them from the rear aud capture them. When
the yIdcts were all captured, Gen. Jackson
was notified and Immediately ordered an ad-
vance OF his whole command and Towards
pickcts being only short distance nj advance
Of his position, lHoward relying upon his
yidets Tor a timely notice there WAS not suiii-
cicnt time after Jackson struck the picket.
line TO get tho Union troops into position, some
being captured almost in their nakcdness
while Others got away minus their guns and
equipments. BY Jackson using those tactics
the surprise of the Eleventh Corps was COM
pletc. / have a great deal Of sympathy for
Gen. Howard, knowing the circumstances as |
do, aud that the dense thickct was unknown
to the Union men, while men in our army were
perfectly familiar with H."
These were Mr. Chancclor's words ms near ms
/ can remember them.
/ cannot but think that Gen. Howard and
his subordinate commanders were partially 10
blame for allowing tho men under their com.
mands 10 stroll so FAR away from the position
taken, without guns or equipments so Us 10 be
worse than useless when suddenly attacked
was ia nearly every battle from Eiackburn's
FORD 10 spottsylvauia Courthouse, but never
say such a stampede as tho Eleventh Corps
made at the time Berry's Division, of the
Third Corps, (Which the writer was in,1 ad-
vaneed upon the run into the woods near the
= L
shall never forget Gen. Howard at that time.
Holding the colors of some stampeded regi-
ment between his stub arm aud body, trying TO
rally his command, and ms BeTrys Division
were taking position across the plank road in
the edge of the woods, Gen. Howard exclaimed
70 Ten. Berry, " am ruined man." aud Gen
Berrys biuG and ready answer: mot neceg.
sarily so. i have got division here that was
never defeated, aud they arc not going TO BIO
now"
Soon Gen. Hooker rode up the line with Gems.
Howard aud Berry, and the old division that
no (H00ker) had commanded 80 successfully
through the Peninsular campaign aud at Bris.
toe station, Second Bull Run aud Chantsly,
greeted them with cheers that rang and echoed
through the woods and at the same time pour
ing in v0lley upon the advancing enemy:
the cheers being turned ere they had left some
OF the boys Threats into death-ratte ending in
dying grOans.
Before the sun had reached It's meridian anon
the day following the gallant Berry fell pierced
by sharpsho0ter's bullet, aud Gen. Hooker
lay unconscious from the enemys she'll and
the second day following Gen. Whipple, com
handing the Third Division, Third Corps.
gave his life for the Union cause
Some oil the writer's IN The NATIONAL TRIB.
UEE speak lightly Of aud try to beittlo Stone
wall Jacksons military record. But if the
Army of the Potomac could take vote upon
."'' 4" 'Ds'"''f tf'hh ~ "ouIh DC nearly IMAM
imous IN favor OF Gen. Jackson, for they know
too well by experience and suffered too many
defeats by his swift. strategic movements TO
doubt his tactics rs "a corps commander, and ID
Is a curious fact that Gen. Lee never won n de.
eided victory after Stonewall Jacks0ns death.
Why cannot the old Hooker Division
have Reunion at Boston next month? All
of the regiments comprising the division were
from New England, New York, New Jersey
and Pennsylvania, and certainly will never
have more central place and better opportu.
nifty, as the greatest distance will be oniya few
hundred miles. / intend to travel from the
Flour City of the Northwest to my old home I'm
Boston TO meet with the boys once more, and
perhaps for the last time. Come, comrades let
US mingic together once more and have Re.
union In the odd Cradle of Liberty."-CHAs.
w. HATHAWAY, list Mass, Minneapolis, Mimi.
For the cotnnlayion nea A ,,o.,, Co.. -,