The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-01-17
POOR ME-. HDWISoN.


POOR ME. HoWISON.
The Times has had so much to say
in behalf OF Gregs History of the United
Staes that It is apprehensive it will be
as its only interest IN the subject is to
promote the cause Of truth, II does not
care a cent If it is convicted of the
charge. So far as the South is concerned,
1t is just such a book as we might have
expected Won Borcka to write about us.
and The Times exults In the fact that
an impartial stranger has at last been
found bold enough 10 carry our cause
before the worlds tribunal without apol-
ogy or excuse for his act, and glorying
in the act. After the roastings which r.
r. Howison has received for his libels
upon the work, The Times is not dis
posed to add TO them. But one matter
ought not to escape notice He publishes
yet another letter in Sundays Dispatch
in which he says:
Wishing to do full justice to our cour-
as to Greg's work. | state now that the
mouth Of the Rapidan is much nearer
to Fredericksburg than l had previously
stated"
This was written and published after
he had deliberately stated. to prove a
distinct and important averment, that
the Rapidan emptied into the Kappa
hammock forty-two miles above Frede-
ricksburg; and after The Times exposed
the fact that the two rivers unite less
than ten miles above Fredericksburg
But what is to be thought Of the wishes
ito do full justice" which puts con-
fession Of error in such terms! For the
Rapidan TO unite with the Rappahannock
forty-two miles above Fredericksburg
made Mr.. Howisons criticism Of Greg
perfect. and emasculated Captain Gus
sons reply to his criticism. For II to
than forty-two miles, leaves his criticism
possibly substantially correct, and Cap
tain Cussons possibly wrong; while the
fact that the rivers unite less than teu
-
statement what il is. true; makes Cap
tain Cussons' statement 20 BE- what it is.
absolutely true. and makes Mr. Howison's
criticism Of Greg fall to the ground
But We do not intend to let the matter
rest here. We intend to see full and com
plete justice done. Greg and Capt. Gus
sons are right and Mr. HoNison is wrong
Mr.. HoWison says in his last letter. "Yei
it remains true that Hooker's army OF
10000 men did not cross the Rapidlr to
march to Charlottesville" and he cites
as authority for his statement steele,
Barnes. Holmes. Derry. Goodrich and
Annual American Cyclopeda. These may
be good enough authorities for Mr.. Howl
son when he is writing history of the
United States. but we prefer original
records.
The organization Of the Northern army
that fought al Charlottesville is set cut IN
the Rebellion Record" Vol. q, Series l..
Part l., p. 49,. II consisted Of the LIST.
%, Sd, 9Th. 18th and 18th army corps, be-
sides the artillery and cavalry. General
G. X. Warren was chief of the Corps of
Typographical Engineers. and he has
made very full report OF the movements
Of the different corps. which can be seen
al page l95 Of that volume. He states at
page 1877 that the 5th, 18th and 18th corps
marched TO Kelly's Ford, where they
crossed the Rappahannock, and that they
marched thence to Germanna and Ely's
Ford, where they crossed the Rapidan
These three corps did therefore cross the
Rappahannock at Kelly's Ford, and they
did cross the Rapidan at Germanna and
Ely's Ford, as Greg and Capt Cussons
state, Mr.. Howison and his school his
tories to the contrary Notwithstanding.
So that we recommend to Mr.. Howison
that In writing history hereafter he shall
bear In mind the Roman precept-melus
est petere fontes guam sectari rlvulos.