The National tribune., 1890-05-01
CHICKAMAUGA.


EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: In your is
sue of April II, Comrade James M. Whallon re-
spends to my article of February ID, and beg
space TO say few words in reply. j stated
Just how and to what extent Battery NJ 1st Ill.
l.. A., saved the Nation at Chckamauga on
September 20, 1863 and that was by holding its
position against every attempt made by the
rebels to capture or drive it away. Had they
succeeded in doing either, think no one will
question what the result would have BEEN ii he
was with the army that day and for several
days after, or if he has closely read the Union
official reports that have been preserved
/ warned the comrades that that was but the
first blast from Battery Ms buglo / really did
not want to toot il again, for / never could
"got good enough lip" to produce any
thing but an ear-spltting sound.
] think if the comrade will carefully read
my article again, he will see that no slightly
misunderstood me; but will say this that
could not find rs strong language TO use toward
those of tho right as is found in the official re-
ports, and have too great love for every hon
orable American soldier to want such stain to
rest upon them, and feeling that the only way
to do To arOuso them to their defense was to
'stir them up" / wrote as ! did and | yet
want them TO prove that the charges made
against them were false. | am i'm hopes that
enough of them will be with MS on the field on
May u to there, with tho Confederates who
opposed, disprove tho charges (quite equal to
cowardice) that still remain against them.
The question is what each one did at Chcka-
manga, not what he may have done before or
after that event. j am inclined to believe that
the cOmradc will have to hunt long for proof
that Sheridan and Davis were cut off from the
balance of the army, or that there was any
thing whatever to prevent their joining Thomas
without first going back TO Rossville-oXcept 70
huge army in "buctram." If he can find any
such proof, can produce any Confcderatcs who
were farther TO the rear to them than Vidto
House. or a short distance further, | shall DO
grateful, as / am rs anxious as any man alive
to wipe out the present unpleasant record, and
that is one great reason why ! want to meet
| them Mt Chictamauga.
Where did Gen. Sheridan have n night march
of II or - miles, passing through the enemy 8
| lines, prithec? 1t Is understood by many that
he reported on the evening of the goth, aud
did not wait until the 2lst.
| As to Gen. Negey's men who remained on
the field and fought, think no ono will qucs-
ton their bravery, nor that of those who were
ordered to follow him to the rear. They but
oheyed orders; but as to Gen. Negey himself,
silence is the best IL the comrado wishes, |
have some private information on the subject
| that may give him some light.
If the comrade will bo with us Mt Chicka-
manga, he can learn by those there what kind
and how many men opposed Stecdman's two
| brigades, and also how they were served.
And now two moro blasts from Battery Ms
! buge Il dare not give more at once, lest
crack III, and am done.
| quote from a letter written Mt the time by
one who WAS commanding some Of the infantry
and who was there THE left section of this
battery on, Ist Ill was then ordered TO move
! to the left to aid our shattered column, .
opened fire upon the enemy with terrible eff
! feet" tThe infantry then fell back down the
hill. will not say ran" AS some people do J
"Our battery was left OH the hill unsupported,
with several of the gnnners shot down and
their horses killed" And what did Battery
Ms two guns do--run? No, they held the
whole rebel forco Mt bay until tho infantry
was brought back TO their support.
| And blast No. 3. Battery NJ held tho front
ut Rossvile, allowing all the troops TO with
| draw without molestation, aud did not start
| back for Chattanooga until long after sunrise
ON the morning Of September %, aud when it
started back there was not a single other
wild Yankee" at tho front. A few of the
| 18th III. had been there, but the Johnuies
had tanned them
Now. comrades, talk all you please about
your great fcatsl Many more blasts " yet in
the buglc aud positive proof OF the truth Of
each when wantcd.l
Come. battery boys, let rs hear from yon-
Battery NJ has said enough for awhile.--G. T..
DoLTOs, Is South Main street, ST. Louis Mo.