The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-04-24
BATTLE OF PERRYVILLE.
Gen. Buell. Anent the Retired, List and Chaplain
LuyieF.

tIuAlPfs
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: The writer
was n private of the 18th H., which was
assigned TO duty in the Thirtieth Brigade,
Ninth Division, Fourth Corps Department Of
the Ohio commanded by Mai. Gen. Buell., who
marched his forces from Louisville, KY, Oct.
], 1862 TO give battle to Gem Bragg's rebel
host encamped few miles SOUTH at Bardstown.
Bragg, for prudential reasons rcccded us Buell. S
army advanced. until Oct. s, when he made a
stand at Perryville, whore "A battle of great
severity was fought by the left wing of the
Union army, under Mai.-Gen. McCook. Ros.
seau's and Jackson Divisions, comprising tho
extreme left of the army, sustained thcseyerity
of the battle. The balance of the army, two
corps, under Gems. Crittendcn aud Gilbert, were
few miles distant lying idly on their arms
apparently indifferent Us 10 the result of the
contest, refusing aid TO the contestants when
asked for it through proper channels. Night
closed the battle Bragg evacnating the field
before mo ming. while Buell. rested his troops
three days on the field of carnage, thus allow
ing the rebel troops TO leave the State practi-
cally unmolested although two-thirds Of the
Union troops were fresh aud capable of earnest
pursuit at once, aud as we then and now be-
lieve were able 10 capture and destroy Bragg's
army. Yet Buell. choose 10 idle away three
days before no gave the command to pursue.
Why this was done no one has yet explained.
historian has this TO say: Gen. MCCOok
sent repeatedly for Teiniorccmcnts, but none
came. Was his corps 10 be sacrificed and an
entire army within few miles idly lying on
its arms? The pen Of the historian
cleaning from the secret springs of action tho
true causes which led To the criminal neglect
OF Gems. McCock and Rousseau in their drest
peril. will stamp the seal of damnation upon
the guilty ones"
On the march from Louisville 30 Perryvlle
water was very scarce, the soil was dry and
very dusty, the sun shone hot, soldiers sweat
proinsely, the cloud of dust covered their
bodies with coat Of sodden soil. And while
resting ut will in this condition, soldier used
portion of the water in his canteen 10 wash
his face Gen. Buell. was augered at him Tor
wasting water while comrades were sufIering
from thirst, and made an attempt TO strike
him. The soldier sprang suddenly 10 his feet,
frightening the Generals horse. who SHE'D to
one side, throwing his rider. Bnt q few sympa-
thlzed will Buell. for his fall, while many gave
expression TO the thought that broken neck
would not have proved disaster 10 the service.
The ret.T ring Of Gen. Buell. on hali.pay Is in
the nature Of a service pension. The equity in
the case would eutitlc a private soldier who
gave his all in the army without adequate pay,
and is now rs aged as Gen Buell., 10 o service
pension sufficient to comfortably support him
during life. They aud their families made the
greater sacrifice. One months pay OF Major.
General equaed one years pay Of private
soldier, for SIG il month In grecnbacks was
little more than a drop in tho bucket TO the
priyate's wife who had TO buy subsistence for 8
family Of growing children, with prices inflated
300 per cent.
Devoid of all malice, but DESTROYS 10 perpet.
nate the golden rule as Il reciprocal blessing
| between man and man, the cx-prvates of the
army Insist upon their recognition as part oi
this Nations people. Therefore, the private
soldier insists upon equal rights in the dis
! bursement of moneys from the u. 3. Treasury
| ia payment of service pensions.
When Secretary Of War Cameron asked Gen
! Sherman, at Louisville, Ia 1862, what his plant
| were Sherman answered that 4" General could
| make no plans without an army Of soldiers o
| which 10000 should be at this place" Crazy
was tho prompt verdict. Later on Gen. Buc
| bad that complement Of soldiers and failed al
| the critical period 10 use them for tho puFpGs,
| for which they had been assembled. Does il
not follow that Chaplain Lozier's idea should
be adopted ia that retiring business 2-J. w
| SHEAFFER Sterling, Ill.