The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-01-14
Mention The National Trfbuna

for HOvey's men TO get iRto line between the
two brigades without overlapping the second
regiment of BentOn's Brigade to The right II
would appear that a division OF troops would
have a more general effect in disturbing the
calm Of the enemy than two or three regi-
ments.
So that we are not able to agree with Gen.
HOvey where he writes: One th ing is certain
the honor Of the charge belongs to the Twelfth
Division fIOvey'sl. II gave the command
my men obeyed and made the charge, manned
the captured guns. and discharged them at the
enemy, took the prisoners, and have the battle
/ fag OF the battery, now in the possession of
/ the gallant Col. RaynOr ?"
No, General, the charge, with its grand results
/ belongs. with its honor. 20 both divisions. and
| from their numbers rather more 20 Carr's Di-
| vision than 10 yours Yet we cheerfnlly ac-
cord their place Of glory to the men that did
/ charge from H0yey's Division. We are willing
/ 10 indorss Gen. Bentoa's lettsT. That letter,
| produced by Comrade Martin, was n surprise
| to u.s. and pleasure equaIlyto see. 10 showed
/ Gen. Benton in a most favorable light After
/ his brigade bad done most Of the fighting Cor
/ hours. and then Joined in the charge 10 was
magnanimity itself to give such place Of honor
/ TO another division. IL will be remembered
\ however, that that letter was written Tor the
\ press, % reach all the friends in both dvis-
\ ions, and speaks Of the result the entire result
Il
/ And this has place in considering cur second
Il question,
WHO FIRST TOUCHED THE GUNS?
/ Both parties are not behindhand in claiming
the honor. And let 10 be admitted that both
\ believe they did Was there anything i'm mpossi-
/ Bile in both being at the battery about the same
\ timer How could there be- when the COM
mands were mixed? Now, good comrade, who
| thinks no other regiment was near. be chari-
table enough to believe the word Of those who
were in the same crowd; If not next to you,
then next TO your comrade beyond. This ex-
\ hOrtation touches both parties. From Col.
| RaynOr's account, his regiment (56th Ohio
was too far to the left of che battery (his leftl
\ TO take il in line; he thinks it was directly in
front OF the 34th Ind. But men in the First
I Brigade, from Gen. Benton and Col. Bailey
down, say that it was in front Of the left of
the First rgade-squarely in front Of the
18th Ind. and part Of the 99th III. The
orders placed the 3ith Ind. as it started for
| ward first, Just where the 18th had been.
/ When the reinforcement comes up, il comes up
in part behind BeutOn's line. Everything
goes to show that these regiments were to all
/ intent5 and purpOses-that is, 3ith Ind. 18th
Ind. and a part Of the 99th Ill.-practically
the same distance from the guns. Two or
three feet would give any man the start in the
| race; bigger muscle would fetch the stronger
and swifter ahead. though they started little
/ behind. Any apparent advantages little
must it have been If it existed-wOuld easily
\ have been overcome in this way
\ Now it cannot be denied that some men OF
/ the 18th Ind. and Goth H. did make straight
/ for the battery. Nor will we deny the same
10 the 3ith Ind. James Brit, of Co. B, Goth
| H., strapping youth and long OF leg, and
afraid Of nothing, declares that he touched
one Of the guns first. Not doubt about his
sincerity,