The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-10-29
GEN. WHITAKER RIGHT.
Another Or lhe Ist Conn. Cav Takes sides Against
" The CRnnOncer."

hhuihfi VI lNt IN Ahhhs Ahfs axes Sides Against
. ihe CRnnOnccr."
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: IN referring
TO the article headed " Who is Right In YOUR
paper OF July ? aud Aug G, viii say that from
personal experience ] can say that Gen. Whita-
kcr Is right. Gen Whitaker was AZ that time
Llcutenaut-C0l0nci OF my regiment ,the Ist
Conn. Cay.l, but was serving on the staff Of
Gen. Wilson, who commanded the Third Cav
airy Division, but was with rs May s, 1864 foi
distinctly remember seeing him on foot along
the line assisting where our guns got ont OF
order Gen. Whitaker could always be found
10 the front when there was any fighting going
on, and be was h0n0red aud respected rs a
brave aud good officer by all soldiers Of bis
command.
am not much 81 a war writer, but when /
see comrades story cOutradicted, which /
know % be true, cannot help saying word
IN his defense
+" The Canuonelr's" story Of the campaign
Of 1861 o. was read by me with interest and /
think % Was the Ulat account Of the doings OF
tie rny OF Tie Potomac from the Rapidan 10
App0mutlsZ that has ever been written. but
must say hc committed ~ error in placing the
hrst troops engaged 90 ~p1ttsylvania. Tie LIST
Conn. Cav. wac engaged both al Toad's Tavern
and Sp0ttsyivania. Near 10dd's Tavern the
enemy pressed "a sO hard that tire regiment
was posted Doc iluc on tie edge Of the woods
where, By g heavy and wCli-diTcctcd Gre. We
fepu.scd tHc cucmy's charge. holding them In
check uu'l relieved by Gen. Davies Brigade
OF Gen. Gregg Division, aud the arrival Of fresh
troops "as mono ta0soon, for e were nearly out
l1uked ou both sides and being under orders
% hold the position 90 all hazards. were in
imminent danger oi being
On May Z GO early dawn, ourdiyisi0n moved
toward Spotlsylyauia Courthouse, The Isl Conn.
Cav. being the adyaucc-auard aud 20 Of
tins regiment may claim The honor Of having
opened thu series u fights about that mcm0r-
able place. The company lost several horses
killed az the first fire of the enemy, but i'm.
mcdiatnly charged aud drove the cucny's
pickcia back upon thc reserve when the whole
regiment was smmcdlat. } s. dismouuted aud adj
yaucrd on foot through the woods, driving the
enemy out Of The town Wet0ak and delivered
- prisoners over 10 the Provost. Marshal
mostly infantry our spccess can be accounted
Tor only by The imprtu8sIty with which the
regiment pushed GOA through the woods. over
towering tic cucmy's skirmisnerB before they
had time % escape.
The enemy DOW showing large force Of in
iantry, &C fell back aud cucamped Tor the night
near Charlottesville. The night was ono Of
preparation, q considerable number Of Spencer
seven-5bopirrs being issued 90 the regiment In
place o. some interior ones, Of which Gen Whit
hEer makes mention Gen. Wilson thinking
that within the past few days we had earned the
rlRht 10 carry Tie best arms that could be found
That night we received forage aud rations Of
nine pounds OF oats 10 each horse, two days
hard bread and I've days salt 20 each man: one
bali VI The gain We fed al once 10 our tired
horses, while The remainder WAS our outfit for
Sheridan raid 10 Richmond. Now Mr. Editor,
who D. rightly
The above is from personal experience and
adlary kept from the Eariaau % the Appomat-
iuX. Hoping this will settle that question. aud
THAT you "i!i tud space ia your paper for it, ia
seriion, lNlil close. GEORGE 4. BRYANT, Cor
poIai, 90. Al, Jet Conn. Cav, Yarmouth Me-