The National tribune., 1894-01-11

W0al uefe2t meant WIN SUCH an AT TLny, AN
commanders thoroughly in aceord,within fiv
days of its landing, on May 5, 1864 Drew
ry's Bluff should have been fanked, For
Darling captured, and the army and nav.
| menacing Richmond from the James. a
Grant thought possible, aud probably RIch
mond itself captured, and the war closed il
the Spring of ga instead of one year later.
| The Eighteenth Corps was promptly land
ed, bat the Tenth Corps WAS very slow, an'
Gilmore seems to have contented himsel
with complaints about facilities, so that i
was not until the 9th inst that his troop
were all ashore.
Gen. Butler, on page GAO of "Butler'
Book" says land as he is one of the defend
ants in Smiths Vindieation he is entitled
to be heard): .t.4.-
ave arrived about 5 o'clock in the even
ing. As soon as my boat had come to anchor
one of nay confidential scouts came off to it
He had been at Richmond some weeks, an6
he brought me letter from my correspond
ent there, Miss Van Lieu.
"He stated that quite all the troops had
gone from Richmond to Lees army, relying
upon that city being garrisoned by troops
which had shortly before been sent down to
Nor h Carolina from there, and were ex-
pected back. But they had not yet returned,
and if / would send up at once, before 1t was
known that / was there, Richmond could he
taken without any difficulty. The South
ern iroops were expected very soon, so that
the attack must be made at once.
" placed the most implicit reliance upon
this statement, and was very much tempted
to march myself with what troops l had
landed and seize Drewrys Bluff at least. 1t
was march of but little rising IA miles.
My map showed that there was a stage road
direct up to the Richmond turnpike, and
then, of course, directly into Richmond.
II called on my Generals (Smith and Gill
more), and explained this plan. l said to
them that our troops were perfectly fresh,
and that, indeed, they would be better for
march, having been "a hours on the
transports. showed them by the map that
there was a direct road mp there. The night
was fair one, and not dark, and suggested
to them that they march as soon as the men
got their coffee and supper. The men all
had two days ratiens in their haversaeks,
and would send up plenty of supplies by
the wagons in the morning, and they could
easily get there by daylight.
They both strongly objected to the ex-
pedition. One of them intimated that he
should feel it his duty to refuse, even if
it were ordered. / said / should not order
it, for could have no hopes OF an expedition
made against the will of the commander. /
was tempted to go myself, but had Kautz out
before the enemy, and West, with his negro
cavalry, out making demonstration on the
Chickahominy. / had all the details of the
movement of the army only under the
personal supervision aud knowledge of my
staff, AMI thought it was my duty not to go.
Il sent, however, for Weitzel, but it then
had got quite well along in the night.
Weitzel SAID to me: General, shall 60 if
you order me to, as you know, and do the
very best can; butt Is exceedingly hazard
GUS, and if it should fail after your two corps
commanders, Smith and Gilmore, have so
strenuously advised that it should not be
undertaken, it would entirely ruin you, al
though to take charge of it under your orders
would not harm me. They have been to me
and told me what you want done, and sup
posing you would send for me have advised
very strongly against it. And As your strong
est friend !, myse t, must advise again>t il,
because / think they viii throw
every obstacle in the way OF onr having an
early march!' At this gave it up"
Every frantic dispatch sent to Beauregard,
to Hoke, and others from the 5lh OF May to
the 18th by the authorities in Richmond
proved the truth of Gen. Buffers informa-
ton, and his sagacity as a military chief,
that ne should want to take advantage of the
situation. Search the Records as published,
and the evidence of this is overwhelming
With Buffers Book undoubtedly be-
fore him Gen. Smith. in his "Vindication,"
has not denied the truth of this statement
Gen. Smith on the 9th of May proceeded
to put his troops in position, and suggests
(Chap. a. page 474, Vol. 80, Part 2I: Il
am very anxious that Gen. Gilmore should
take his place in line as soon as possible.
We have met no enemy and heard of nome"
He had occupied his line at $50 a. m. But
where WAS Gilmore? Later IN the day Gen.
Hiekman's Brigade was moved out to the
lett toward Petersburg, and was allowed to
fight in an unknown country part of Ha-
goods Brigade, just from South Carolina,
without assistance from the rest of the
Z ghieenth Corps. A vigorous attack by
Gen. Brooks and the rest OF WeiizeI's Divis-
ION should have easily captured all OF John
sons Brigade and what there was Of Hagood's
Why this was not done is a mystery that
the men of the Star Brigade" have been
for % years vainly trying TO solve.
ITO be e0ntinned