The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-08-27
MILES'S SURRENDER.
Did lie Prove Traitor In Giving up Harper's
FerTyi

EDITOR NATToNAL TRIBUNE: Some time ago
] wrote short note, which you kindly pub
lshea, defending Gen Miles's character rs a
patriot. Several replies have been published.
but mono Of them have overturned the points
] then and there made. So did not deem 10
necessary TO make Tcjoinder 10 their letters.
But IA your issue of July 80, 1891, an article
appears from John 4. Williams, Of the 32d
Ohio, Burlington, Okla, in which / am charged
with "meanness in worrying the Editor Of
The NATIONAL TRIBUNE with the question Of
Gen. Miles's loyalty" Mere words never con-
stltute proof Of SO grave a charge as our friend
imputcs to mo as the defender of Gen. Miles's
conduct. Nor do they establish the guilt Of
the party defended. Facts make the only COM
petcnt testimony. But we who served three
years ia the army must have reasonable state
ments, or facts, before We accept them as proof
OF so grave a charge.
Now. please allow me 20 dissect Comrade
Nilliams's statements, and see hoY many OF US
can rely upon them: i. He recites a converse
ton between Gen. Miles and Col. Ford, in
which a personal order is delivered to Col.
Ford TO cut down the large guns, on Mary
land Nights" aud that finally said order
was obeyed." Now, if this ever occurred at
all IL must have been on Sunday. the day be-
fore the surrender, for there is abundant evil
dence TO prove that Gen. Miles was not on that
side Of the river on the morning,of the sur
render. Now. by his own testimony these
guns were cut down before the surrender; aud
then Gen. Miles deliberately returns 10 his own
side Bolivar Hghts) Of the river. Then, OF
course, this writer lWilliams) was captured on
Maryland Nights by Confederate, and could, OF
his own personal knowledge know no more Of
Gen. MiiCs's conduct thereafter than other
prisoners aud yet he asks Us to believe that
" he stood near the gun that killed Miles"
This, Of course WAS after the guns had been
cut down. after he was prisoner; and the Teb-
els allowed him 10 remain around, where they
were engaged in firing those cut down pieces
at the Federal army on Bolivar flights. !
never before heard Of rebels who were 50 con-
siderate Of their prisoners.
Bot all other evidence that we have seen or
heard seems 10 point most positively 10 the fact
that the shot which killed Gen. lies was fired
from Loudoun Nights. So il is still more prepOs-
ferrous 10 ask US 10 believe that the rebels carried
this prisoner oil the way over there 10 be a
witness 10 this b0mbardment of Bolivar flights.
So II COmradc Williams desires US TO accept
his evidence as fact in support Of the charge
Of traitor" as applied 20 Gen. Miies's milf
tary record, he must tell Us how all these
things can be. Ny war experience led nc
10 conclude that prisoners were early sent 10
the rear, and rarely had the privilege Of seeing
their own guns turned upon their friends, and
especially after those same guns had been pre-
Vi0usly "cut down" Let him also explain
why il was that he WAS not witness 10 this
conversation when Col. Ford had his trial and
was dismissed the service. In short. give Us q
racket" we can tumble TO as soldiers
Those who know nothing about military usage'
/ aud have no accurate knowledge Of the re-
/ spective localities Of these several nights, may
perhaps swallow all that may be said. But
! soldiers must account for strange things. else
their faith is weak. j say again, mere words
! do not make man a traitor. Facts must b.
! produced 20 show the intent and purpose OF tn,
/ heart. Then, these facts must be inconsistent
with patriotism, and also contrary 70 reason
able military prudence. Then, this finding
| must be by a competent court, after all ia,
evidence Is submitted. Gen. Fitz John Porte
was also charged adversely, and yet Gen
Grant Whose patriotism aud military iudg
mCnt none will question: said, after a full la
vestigation Of all the facts, that " Gen. Porte
was not guilty as charged" But poor Mile
was not spared 10 defend himself as was Gen
Porter, else perhaps lie, too, would have beer
eXoncrated from blame. But, then, Gen. Mile
was never 50 ccnsured by competent court O
inquiry. Then, what right has anyone to cal
him traitorg His every act is consisten
with absolute loyalty, when we judge him b.
the orders he received from Washington
l.. w, Lock Box No. lG2, Montezuma, Ind.