The National tribune., 1890-06-12
BATTLE OF KINSTON.
The Credit Given by 0HlclaI History TO the 10th
Conn.

EDITOR NATIONAL tribune: Sometime
ago gavo an account Of tho part taken by the
10th Conn. at kinstOn, N. c. | did this with
out mentioning that | was with my regiment
that day, simply signing my name as q member
Of the 10th Conn. But IL caused so much ill
feeling, personalities and ridicules of myself,
together with a denial Of my statements, that
/ must set this new historian right Ridicule
may be eAcctual among sChool-boys, to point
the hngcr and draw the face may pass as argu-
ment on the playground but is wholly out of
place beside the Campfros of men who were
soldiers over % ycarslag0, and now fight over
The battles where many noble comrades foil.
If it is to be wanting-in honor to put in words
tho deeds of a regiment of whose victories one
Is proud, what shall we say of him who denies
such accounts without giving proof that they
arc ialSe2 Who rdiCulc5 without argument T.?
is he good soldier or an honorable man to do
it2
There are two things which mako good
soldier, Il good regiment, good army: devO-
ton to tho cause in which the uniform is worn,
and pride in the coors which wave at tho CEN
ter ot the regiment. Without these tho fight
ing quality of command is soon reduced to
the level of tho poorest regiment in that com
inand. There seems to be Il corresponding
feeling among few survivors, very few
hOpc-of the war to grade each regiment by
that low standard. With them tho men who
were mere spectators OF u battle deserve lust as
much praise and honor rs the men who suffered
almost annhilaiion TO win such honor But
military history decides otherwise, it gives
praise where praise Is due. As to the 10th
Conn. not claiming what James NJ Rodgers
claims tor it, If tho 10Th Conn had not claimed
1t long ago, James ~ Rogers would never have
written its claims. 10 wrote its history forever
Mt kinston in its splendid advance, its gallant
fight. its bitter loss It's noble victory. Here
In ut lin e. .4F ~
quote only that portion Of tho report which
speaks Of the 10Th Conn, simply to save space,
from Vol. lS p. 80, Official Records:
Tho 10Th Conn. made q gallant charge un-
der very CALLING fire, on the enemy, who were
rapidly rctrratuE over tho bridge which had
been set on fire. The 10Th Conn poured i'm u
very destructive fire, capturing n rebel stand
OF colois and number of prisoners. BY the
cXeriions and gallant conduct Of thi5 regiment
the bridge was saved, thoy being the first to
cross-Ihos. q. Stevenson. Colonel command
ing Second Brigade First Division"
Those who live IN glass houses often throw
stones mt better built dwellings than their own
The attack up0n my article camc from the
ranks of tho lOlst Pa. Able military authori-
ties state that the losses of q regiment LARGELY
determine the services OF that regiment. The
Whole Union loss during the expedition was
5ol; the loss Of the 10th Conn at Kinston
lo6; the loss of the l0lst Pa, none killed,
none wounded. lie jcsts at scars who never
felt wound"
SEQ no other way to account for the wide
difference IN loss between those two regiments,
except the very different understanding of
what the " full share of work consisted in,
aud the still wider difference in performing
" their entire duty" rs executed by those two
regiments The reference to tho oath. 25th,
18th Mass. ana 9ih r. u. was like the stirring
notes OF the bugle bl1wu BY q camp.follower
Tho hand may be unworthy, but 1t woke glori.
ous memories of comrdcship in battle. and
many kindly dead an peace If praise of
mine would add 10 thpIr honor. they should
have u unstiutel; hnf the names on their
battIetags liit thcm b'g1nd my touch | have
nothing more to say. only TO express most
sincere wish that whoever in the future may
attempt to manufacture new history for tho
10Th Conn, may himself learn something of
ms subject before be tries 10 teach others
JAMES NJ. RoGEgs, Corporal, Co. II, 10th Conn,
y Mantle, Conn.