The National tribune., 1895-05-02

they had time to reinforce. Wilder, coming
up, pushed through the gap with his Who'll,
brigade, formed line Of battle, and, though
furiously attacked, held his position all TIL,
afternoon, and until the infantry came NJ
and relieved him.
The loss of the rebels under Gen. Bate
was over 600, while Wilder lost but 40 killed
and wounded. When Gen. Thomas came
up, he said Wilder had saved the lives Of
1000 men. The next day report Of the
engagement was made by the enemy, in
which it was said that they had met good
many Yankee cavalry, but the fellows max
ing the attack yesterday came like light
ming and each man was q thunderbolt. This
dispatch was captured and sent TO Rose
crans's Headquarters. complimentary
order was issued by the General, officially
giving the name of Wilder's Lightning Bri-
gade-the only brigade in the army entitled
to a distinctive title, all the others being
known by their numbers or the names OF
their commanding officers; as, Croxtons,
Minty's LaGrange's, etc. Shortly after
ward they attained the distinction of being
the only brigade-mounted or dismounted
that made the circuit of the rebel army.
Gen. Rosecrans sent them TO Bragg's rear,
and they went there, cutting the railroad at
COwan, Tenn, and creating considerable
excitement.
"To narrate all their achievements would
fill page. They whipped Forrest and
wounded him at Tunnel Hill, Sept IL, and
at Chickamauga covered themselves with
glory. At Shelbyville, Pennington, Stone
Mountain, Big Shanty, MONDAY Creek,
Pumpkin Vine, Coosatown, Leesburg, and
numerous other engagements, they have won
for themselves fame which will endure as
long as our records remain
In addition 10 the foregoing tribute TO
Gen. Eli Long, desire to state that he was
brevelted Colonel in the Regular Army for
his gallant and meritorious services at the
battle of Lovejoys Station, Ca, and was
subsequently brevetted Brigadier-General
and Msjor-General; and, at tie close Of the
war, was brevetted Major General of Volun-
teers. Now, when we consider all these
honors heaped upon Col. Long for his gall
liant charge at Lovejoy's Station, his being
promoted Brigadier General for that action
and receiving several brevets and command
of division, how can we reconcile it with
the claims of Col. Minty TO have done all
the fighting at Lovejoy's, and his imputa-
lion OF Col. Longs having disobeyed orders,
as shown by The following extract from o
UNE of May 81, 1894?
My Second (,he Ohio Brigade, instead
Of following with regimental front, as or
dered, broke into columns of regiments and
followed the three charging regiments"
The fact is Col Minty had no Second Bril-
gade; he simply commanded his own brigade,
and, as he states, WAS with one of its regi-
menis in the fight. Every old soldier knows
that III Col Minty had done what he claims
now, the honor would have fallen upon him
and not on Col. Long, and il is very certain
that Gen. Sherman would not promote a
Colonel commanding a brigade for disobe-
dience OF orders In action, especially when
that disobedience only carried him so far as
to remain in the rear and follow "the then
charging regiments" The commanding Off
Ger Of the charging regiments" should
have received the promotion, and if it all
was as Col. Minty pictures it now, 30 years
after, with the principal actors dead, gross
injustice was done him in permitting him to
remain Colonel until he was mustered out.
But the general expression of all in Sher-
mans army at the time, and every narration
OF the fight went TO show that Col. Eli Long
was the hero of Loveioy's, that he made the
charge and won the victory, aud the fact was
made apparent by his promotion to Briga-
der-General for that gallant action.
While all the rest of Fitzpatrick Is command
performed their allotted parts in the rush
out of the rebel Gordon, Col Long was the
genius who planned it aud the gallant SOL
dier who executed ii and these facts are in
dispntably sustained by the action of Gems.
Fitzpatrick and Sherman in his behalf-WM.
Il. DOYLE, AdJutant, 18th Ind, Stevepsburg,
Va