The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-01-12
AT VICKSB URG.
Capt. Mckinney Says the nth III. also Made
n IOdlfyfncf,t Nav 2g.

Capt. Mckinney Says the nth ILL., also Made
Lodgmefit May 22.
N your Issue Of Nov "a. in speaking ofthe
President having decided to promote Gov.
l. Stone to be Commissioner of the General
Land Office, among other things you say
that he was Colonel of the 22d Iowa, which
regiment gained the distinction of being the
only Union troops to make Judgment in the
Notifications ut Vicksburg during the charge
on May %, 1863 Gov Stone was wounded at
this time" '-"
Whilst do not wish to detract one particle
from the gallantry of Gov. Stone and the gal
liant regiment which he commanded upon that
memorable occasion, yet l beg permission to
set you as well as the public right by saying
his command was not the only Union troops
to make a Judgment in the rebel Notifications
above named on that occasion. The 7Hh III,
commanded by the gallant Col. ID. T. Grler,
ably assisted by Lieut. Col. Webb, also fought
its way into those rebel Notifications, and dur
ing the charge they lost their flag.
The writer had a nephew who belonged to
Texas regiment, and now living in Paris, KY,
who informed me that it was his regiment, sup
ported by Georgia regiment. who were Or
dered to drive the 77th ILL., back and out OF the
Notifications They succeeded in doingso, but
it was at a fearful sacrifice of life, as very many
brave Confederate soldiers were nude TO blte
the dust in facing the most murderous ire that
they had ever before passed through The
capture of the flag of the 18th III. was poor
consolation for their successful effort
The 18th Ill was in the Thirteenth Corps
and it is very probable the 22d Iowa was also
in said corps, which was commanded by MAJ
Gen. John a. McClernand Whilst the 77th
Ill., and perhaps the 22d Iowa, were inside the
rebel Notifications Gen. McCernand sent one
of his Aids to Gen. Grant and requested him TO
send him renfOrcements at once and II snch
aid was sent to his relief he believed he could
bold the advantage thus gained. Gen. Grant
failed to send the reinforceRlents as requested,
hence the 9th Ill. was driven out as above
stated.
The happening of these events resulted in
sharp correspondence between Gen. McClernand
and Gen. Grant. Gen. McClernand bravely
asserted that his troops Nth 1ll.) had found
their way into the rebel Notifications. Gen.
Grant did not concede this fact. and in day
afterward relieved Gen. McClernand as
commander of the Thirteenth Corps, which
caused general disapprobation amongst large
portion of the corps, because they personally
knew that Gen. McClernand was right in de-
Tending his. assertion, because it was based On
fact
AS Col. d. p. Grier, commanding the 18th
H. has been dead several years, and his brave
Lieutenant. Colonel webb was subsequently
killed in the great battle fought at Sabine
Crossroads April s, 1864, and not knowing II
any other of the field or staff officers are yet
living of the 18th H., / have waited for some
one or more of them to come forward and pro-
test against the publication; but as they have
not as yet done SO / respectfully ask the publi-
cation of this article in vindication OF the nth
III. They got their baptism of fire in the battle
at Fort Donelson, and no more gallant regi-
ment than they ever shouldered musket in
defense of the old flag during the late rebellion.
At no time nor upon any occasion were they
ever driven an inch until being overwhelmed
by numbers. The writer belonged to the same
brigade. division and corps. hence he knows
whereof he has written.-GEo. III. mckinney,
Lieutenant and Acting Assistant Quarter
master, Fourth Division, Thirteenth Corps,
Stanford, KY.