The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-05-28

STONE RIVER.

Yindioa'iOn Of Cen. Z. D.. johnson Ia that Battle
EDITOR NAmoEhL TEHuNE; IN history Of
the s9th lil. fRaiirOad Regiment, recently pub
iisnea ia The Chicago ErDaiHg Journal the lol-
lowing sentence occurs, 10 which Gen johnson
takes exceptions: " Later IN the afternoon OF
the same day Jrhus1l's Division, handled by
Gen. Which, fought with and TcUu scd aud
drove TACK in great disorder, iu five hours Of
iudIsciimiua,e and terrific lighting. Haios's and
tncathafns rebel divisions, cap,uIlug all their
artillery" ia aIgcant letter from Gen. John
son 70 Adj't T. ]. Bishop Of the regiment he
has this 10 say:
DEAR BISHOP. ] wish you would forward .his
letter % Scrg't !. Is. Young, who aui sure woald
nos willingly 90 Dds old commander an injustice.
am satisfied hHt Dee has done SO in tC iucUscd sru-
icuce. Juhu-uu.s DIVISION was never handled by
Which. lie handled iEis brigade. and lad H4 much
u- HC could wei attend 90. 4 WIS present Is ia my
division from iF-i 90 last aud few were 10 fny rcar
VIXEN we ic., back The above sentence would sug-
gcsi ths' was incapable ~ handling my division,
uud Which took chHEge. This serg't Young u.u.t
know war not ilIe case ava Sony that Lis we'll
written history 81 DO" gallant o.tn H. should be
married by tuI- -Dtfepcs.
Yours, very uu.y, R.w. JouEsog.
Now, ] would certainly be the last man NJ
this late day 90 do my IGNORED Old commander
an injustice, much less a personal injury; aud
ln viudicaiIOn Of myself az p warm friend Of
Gen johnson, aud to qualify my position, will
point d. 4. ~, EDDY iu his Patriotism II
Illinois" Vol. j, page 352. says: Johuson's
Division 90 once retired; killich's Brigade was
crumhlCd 70 pieces Then, again, in Van
Horns History, Vol, ], page go this very
tefss language oCsur; "Gcu. johnson, the
Division Commando, was not on the line on
the morning % tHo attack, Dec. 81, 1862"
Tins history, right Or wrong would suggest
The idea that GcH. johnson was not present
with bis command on the morning Of the at-
tack, and hli|rl, the senior subordinate, being
just Then present, took command. but seeking
tho division commander just prior TO the stam-
pDac was captured by the enemy and the Oft
published reports concerning this matter by
different authors makes 10 not a little un-
pleasant for The General As mistakes very ire
qucnty occur in dates places, battles marches,
etc, u s possible that ga error has crcpt IN here
as 10 the commanding Of this division on the
memorable morning Of Dec. ~, o." After
reading up The different references BY different
authors, i feel warranted in the conclusion
that an injustice has been done the General IN
! this particular instance, because the particular
] fact 81 Gen. Nlllch's being away from his com
mand at division headquarters and his capture
/ by the enemy on his way back would preclude
/ the possibility Of his having had command OF
/ J0hnsoHs Division, aud am only too glad that
4 Gen. johnson has called tie matter no aud
directed my attrut on 10 Il, thus giving me an
opportunity TO justify him and clear myself OF
any and all ordinations or Of having even
attempted 10 do him an injustice. ] had no
Y design IN the matter having formulated for
1 publication THAT especial sentence" referred
10 upon the authority Of the authors cited, who
1 from the facts now narrated must have been
ia error rs 10 the non-prCsenco Of Gen. John.
son that morning. ] hope TIE NATIONAL
! TRIBUNE tho veterans medium, will allow nc
space aud give me audience in this deserved
yindication Of Gen, r. w. johnson, than whom
no more deserving or drawer veteran TO-DAY
exists on the roll Of living Generals. dis adj
address is st. Paul, Mnn.-Scrg't ISAAC X
/ YOUNG, Bristol, III.