The National tribune., 1895-03-14
MINTY EXPLAINS.
Corrects Comrsde Doyle In a Few Matters
of Importance.

of Importance.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: / thanl
Comrade Doyle for his article of Feb. q
correcting Gen. Towards Story of the Firs
Combat in which so much injustice wa
done to the cavalry.
IL is, to a certain extent, q repetition o
part of the "combat" itself-Wilder's Bri
gade TO the support of Minty's.
few OF Comrade Doyle's remarks may
misead the reader; therefore desire TO say
few words in explanation.
Comrade Doyle says: In this fight Gen
Garrard did not attack with all his force.
Col. Minfy's Brigade in the advance of Gar
rard's Division attacked Wheeler's forces
and was repulsed; and when Gen. Johnston
says Garrard was put 10 flight, it would
have been proper 10 say Minty.'"
The absolute facts are: Gen. Garrard
ordered me to "cross MONDAY Creek and
10 into camp" / informed him that the
whole of Wheeler's force was within strik-
ing distance" He replied very positively !:
"There is no part of Wheeler's command
nearer to MS than Marietta"
j was so positive of the correctness of my
information that my first act was to occupy
the position at Mud Creek, north, with one
battalion of the 9TH Pa. Cav, and the crossing
of the Big Shanty road, south, with the other
two battalions OF the same regiment, and
also to post chain of videts on the hills east
OF the Canton and Marietta roads.
No attack was made, or was intended TO
be made by Gen. Garrard. i did not attack
Wheeler and was not repulsed. On the con-
trary. "Cerro Gordo" Wilhamss Brigade
and Kelly's Division, consisting Of the bri-
gsdes of Andersen and Harmon, attacked me,
and were repulsed several times.
Instead of lis being proper for Gen. john
ston 10 have said "Minty was put to f1ight, !"
it would have been highly improper, and
for the simple reason that it would have
been false.
Comrade Doyle says: Il never heard of
Wheeler capturing any flags from Minty,
and do not think he did; but no doubt he
captured couple of company guidons which
he claims were flags"
In this Comrade Doyle is mistaken. was
four years, less Is days. in the service, and
never lost flag, guidon, or gun.
Quoting from his history of the gallant
18th Ind, Comrade Doyle. says, land COW
cred the retreat of Col. Mintys Brigade,
who were driven back in haste by Wheeler"
/ fail TO see where The haste comes IN !;
my brigade had been fighting stubbornly
for several hours before Col. Vale reported
TO me with the 18th Ind.
Comrade Doyle, who was Adjutant of the
regiment, viii fecollect that The 17th first
took position facing a little east of north !;
my intention being TO retire the Alb U. S.,
4th Mich, and the battalion of the 9TH Pa
Cav. TO this new line, and TO call in the two
battal; IONS of the 9TH from the Big Shanty
road. ] had sent off all Of my staff officers
with orders, and was left with single Or
derry when Martins Division commenced
forcing back my chain Of yidets from the
east.
j galloped back to the 18th Ind, and
addressing an officer whom / met on the
right of the regiment, said:
Give my compliments 10 Col. Vale, and
request him 10 Change front to the right.
There is a considerable force driving in my
videis from that direction"
The change OF front was made and had
returned to my advanced line, when Maj
Burns, my Adjuiani-GeDeral whom I had
sent to report to Gen. Garrard, and TO ask
for support, returned with an officer Of Col
Nil er's staff, who reported 10 me the arrival
OF Col. Miller with two regiments on The
field.
gave the necessary orders for him to ex-
tend Col. Vaie's right, and then withdrew
my own brigade, dismounted them, and sent
\
instructed Col. Miller TO retire his brigade
TO the line OF fence parallel to the creek,
where the final repulse OF Wheeler's force,
consisting Of Martins and Kelly's Divisions
and Williams and Diirell's Brigades, by my
brigade, three regiments Of the mounted in
faniry brigade, and six guns of the Chicago
Board OF Trade Battery, closed as hard
days lighting as the most fastidious could
desire.
This letter is much longer than bad in
tended, but desire to call your attention to
the fact that the portrait of Gen. Israel Gar
rard, which you give in connection with
Comrade Doyies letter, is not that OF the &C
compiished soldier and gentleman who COM
manded our division. Our commander was
Gen. Kenner Garrard, brother OF Gen.
Israel Garrard, whose portrait you present
rs with.-R II. g. MINTY, BreVet Major
General, Z. S. a.