The National tribune., 1890-03-20
CEDAR CREEK.
Col. Gritty Takes Exceptions TO ComradC Arnold's
Remarks.

EDITOR NATIONAL tribune: take excep-
tions to tho remarks of Comrade Thos, q. Ar
mold, l22d Ohio, Millersburg o., in Picket
Shots in the issue of THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE
OF Jan. 2, aud think il nresumptuous OF mem
Der of a regimentai organization TO undertake
any description of battle outside OF his I'M
mediate command. Comrado Arnold is in
formed that the position OF the troops at the
time of the surprise on the morning of the 18TH
October, 1864, was rs follows: Crooks COM
maud Eighth Corps and hitchings' Provls-
iOnal Division of heavy artillery regiments
(acting as infantry were on the extreme lett,
aud east of the pike. The Nineteenth Corps,
on the right of tho Eighth Corps, and west OF
the pike, was encampcd on an elevated pam,
with its right resting on Meadow Brook the
First Division OH the right. the Second li-
vision on tho left with its left resting on the
pike connecting with the Eighth Corps, and no
portion of il WAS east of tho pike. Tho SlXth
Corps was on the right and rear OF the Nine
tecnth Corps, in reserve, with its left on Mead
Ow Brook.
That the Nineteenth Corps was hurried pell-
nell down the pike northward F" is utterly un-
true, although the assertion is true OF the
Eighth Corps, in n measure. Although the
surprise was perfect, and the dense fog shrouded
all movements, still the Nineteenth Corps aban-
doned their camps in hurry and formed inc
of resistance, checking the advance OF her-
shaws victorious rebels until Gordon coming
in on our left flank and rear, and opened
concentrated fire that cnfiladCd and took IN
reverse our entire line of works.
Gen. Wright then commanded the corps to
fall back, which it did over the ground lately
occupied by the Sixth Corps, but which had had
ample time TO pack up everything and move
out by the left flank toward the pike, some
distance in the rear of our original position;
whereas all the troops and batteries on the left
Of Meadow Brook were compelled to abandon
camps aud everything, SO great was the sur
prise; and perhaps tho Sixth Corps would not
have Jared as well as it did. had it not been for
the check given by portion of Crooks COM
mand and the Nineteenth Corps.
The Sixth Corps lay in line for several
hours, expecting TO be attacked" So says Com
rado Arnold. Was this corps not attackcd2
Where was COmrade Arnold at this time? Had
he gone 10 the rear TO be rallied by Gen. Sheri-
dan? And where did the gallant Bidwen lay
down his life?
The Nineteenth Corps was not rallied by
Gen. Sheridan, rs asserted by C0mFade Arnold
lis organization was perfect on the field the
whole day on the right Of the line, although
that line had become somewhat extended, aud
was contracted by Sheridan when he arrived
on the ground aud the right was attacked and
the attack successfully repulsed after our line
had been contracted; and ut the final move IN
the afternoon, il was the First Division of tho
Nineteenth Corps on the extreme right Of the
infantry line that first drove the rebs from
their brcastworks. aud by left haif-wheel
doubled them mp on the Sixth Corps and caused
the r0nt. No no! the Bloody" Sixth Corps
did not do sill the fighting on that eventful day
by long shot although some members of 10
disposed 10 take all the credit for the event
ual success. Had they been exposed 10 the sur
prise, no power on earth could have prevented
q e 4 4. IL,
but i have not the least doubt that the re-
treat would have been very short one had
Sheridan been Oh the ground
Before Comrade Arnold goes into print
again with his experiences, ! would advise
him to consult some authority for his facts, aud
for this purpose would recommend him TO pro-
cure Campaigns Of the Civil War" published
by Chas ScribncI's Sons, New York. Volume
Hl treats OF the Shenandoah Campaign, 10y
Geo. L. Pond, and is the most thorough and
truthful of any have seen.
In the same issue of THE TRIBUNE, and un-
der the same title, j notice The paragraph from
&. b. Hutchins, VI. d., of san Francisco, Cal,
in reference 10 the need of Col. Bailey's family
The Doctor was Surgeon of the ll6th y. Y.
and nc one time served on the First Division
STAFF with myself he being Chief Surgeon oi
the division. heartily concur with the Doc
tor IN his suggestion, and hereby extend greet
ings 10 an old comrade whom have not heard
Of since the war, and would recommend the
/ heading Of the contribution by generous do
f nation from Admiral Porter; for, indeed, where
4 would lie be 10 day in the estimation OF al
( those who were cognizaut OF the facts in thai
stupendous undertaking Of the Iamented Col
Bailey, whereby, IN spite Of the opposition o
the Admiral aud without his assistance, all bit
fleet were succOred from certain destruction by
this same Col. Bailey, with the aid of the mill
taTy notably the ggth Me and the lIGth N
4 Y.-FEEpK J. 7. Gritty, Colonel and Ass
/ Ins.-Gcn'l, First Division, Nineteenth Corps
I Glens Falls, y. Y.