The National tribune., 1896-10-29
STRENGTHENING IT OUT.
Comrade Charles Porter Tells What HI,
Knows About Getty's Division.

Knows About Getty's Division.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Comrade
w. III. White INDUCES in severe criticism Of
Comrade Webster, of Cowan's battery, and
myself for some statements about Cedar
Creek, and at the same time is himself open
to criticism.
He claims there were other troops con-
fronting the enemy besides Getty's Division
Well, do not dispute it. He further claims
that the Nineteenth Corps had men killed
before any part of Getty's Division saw a
rebel to shoot at / do not dispute that.
know very well that Sheridan reported
that he found Merritt's and Custer's Divis-
ions Of Cavalry, under Torbert, and Gen.
Getty's Division, of the Sixth Corps oppos-
ing the enemy.
1t is a matter Of history also that the army
of Sheridan-the infantry-was encamped
en- echelon, with Crook s command on the left
front. The Nineteenth Corps was behind
Crook and to his right, the Sixth Corps the
next in line, and the last of the infantry of
Getty's Division on the extreme right of all,
being refused to face west.
Getty's men were two miles to the right
and rear of Crook, and as Early attacked
Crook first, of course, the Nineteeth being
next, was attacked before Gettys men "saw
rebel to shoot at" So, while w. II. White
has stated the absolute facts, he has given
them in manner to convey different idea.
AS the division marched straight to the
| pike, let me quote a few words from a men,
Der of my regiment concerning the scene
Il am unable to describe the universal con-
fusion and dismay that we encountered
| Wagons and ambulances numbering here
and there in disorder pack horses led by
frightened bummers or wandering at their
own free will, crowds of officers and men
some shod, some barefoot, many of them
coatless and hatless, few without rifles but
all rushing wildly to the rear, oaths AND
blows alike powerless to halt them.
"a cavalry regiment stretched across the
field, unable to stem the torrent but added
to the confusion and CONSERVATION the fire.
quent sight of blood, ambulances, wagons
men stained and dripping, with here ant
there corpse, while the whstling bullet
and the shrieking shell told that the enemy
knew their advantage and their ground.
was sight that might well have demoralizet
the Old Guard of the First Napoleon"
After the fugitives had passed to the rea
the division moved to and took q position
which was the first time in the day the enem,
was opposed by the regular formation of
skirmish-line masking a line-of-battle.
Getty soon formed the division in tw,
lines and formed on the First Division O
the Sixth Corps. The First was soon routes
by the heavy force of the enemy throw
against it, broke in confusion, and fell back
passing through the corps artillery.
Getty was now alone upon the field, a
far as infantry was concerned, and no de
malls can reverse historical facts. Seeing
better position some 300 yards to the real
J Getty withdrew to strong semi-circula
crest behind Meadow Run. Warmers First
Brigade was on the right. the Vermont Br
} gade in the center, and Bidwell's (Third) Br
! gade on the left.
Here Early charged repeatedly on on
/ line, and here Getty repulsed his charge
for two hours. Bidwels Brigade joine