The National tribune., 1896-05-28
WARREN DEFENDED.
Quotations from History Show Him Blame
less.

Quotations from History Show Him Blame
less.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: ] have read
with deep interest the article in reference to
the removal of Gen. Warren from the COM
mand of the Fifth Corps after the battle OF
Five Forks. Comrade S. A. Clark states
| that he is able to back his assertions by
Grant, Meade and Sheridan or any history
of the war. Inasmuch rs Grant or Meade
could have known nothing of the circum-
stances Of Warren's removal, except through
Gen. Sheridan as Warren could not tell his
Story, their evidence could not be called very
conclusive. 1t would hardly he considered
that Sheridan's report would be unbiased.
Sheridan saws: Zen Warren did not ex-
er; himself to get up his corps as rapidly as
he might have done and his manner gave
me the impression that he wished the sun
to go down before dispositions of the attack
could be completed. During the attack of
the Fifth Corps / again became dissatisfied
with Gen. Warren. During the engage ment
portions of his line gave way when not ex-
posed TO a heavy fire, and simply for want
of confidence on the part of his troops, which
Gen. Warren did not exert himself to in
spire."
Now, / wish to know what part of the
lines of the Fifth Corps gave way? L have
been unable TO learn of any such conduct of
any part of the corps, except by Gen. Sheri-
dau's report Certainly. not Oh the part of
Crawford's Division, which swept across The
open field and into the woods, capturing four
cannon and large number of prisoners.
The other divisions i presume are able TO
hoe their own row as TO what they did at
that time.
Swinton says: Warren dashed forward,
calling 10 those near to follow him. Inspired
by his example the color-bearers and officers
all along the front sprang ont and without
more firing the men charged at the pas de
course, capturing all that remained of the
enemy. The history of the war presents no
equally splendid illustration of personal
magnetism. Warren led The van of rushing
lines; his horse was fatally shot within u
few 1eet of the breastworks, and he himself
was in imminent peril, when a gallant Off
Ger, Col. Richardson, of the 9TH Wis, spIang
between him and The enemy, receiving a
severe wound, but shielding from hurt the
person of his beloved commander.
1.-The trophies OF the day included many
colors and guns, and about 5000 prisoners,
of which number 3, pa were taken by the
Filth Corps"
assertion that Warren did not exert himself
So far as ! know, Shines History OF the
Army Of the Potomac is authentic, and as
reliable as any other war history. i will
quote what il says:
Warren grew FESTIVE under these impu-
tations (ShelidaD's) }, and repeatedly demand
ed court of inquiry, which was at length
ordered by the President, and the court. COM
posed of officers of high rank, after having a
host Of witnesses before them, Sheridan
among the number, who gave at great length
his reasons for believing and acting as he did,
made report TO the President completely
exonerating Gen. Warren, stating there was
no unnecessary delay, aud that Warren took
the usual methods of a Corps commander
to prevent delay. As to the imputation that
he wished The sun to go down before dis
positions for the attack could be completed
they say, his actions, as shown by the evil
dence, do not appear to have corresponded
with such wish, if he ever entertained it,
And so the court went on" says Slime,
"aDd decided against Sheridan's charges in
every instance, and in the end brought i'm a
report completely jus;ifying Warren in his
every action"
/ have quoted this somewhat fully in re-
buttal OF Comrade Clark's asser; ion that any
history Of the war goes to show that Sheri-
dams action was iustifable. The fact is,
Sheridan had resolved to remove him, no
matter what the result of the battle would
be, for he says: al had received through
Col. Babcock authority from Gen. Grant 10
relieve him (Warren), but did not wish 10
do it, particularly on the eve Of battle, so
said nothing at all about the message
brought me-" 1t is generally conceded that
the public opinion of the soldiers Of the
army was almost invariably correct on mat
tiers pertaining TO movements and questions
Of that kind, and have never yet met q
Fifth Corps man who was present at that
time who did not think that Warren's re-
moval was very unjust TO him.
We of the rank and file know that from
the time we broke camp until we arrived at
Five Forks we were on about as much Of "a
hustle as anyone could well be, and il would
have been about impossible for any body of
troops TO have made better time, considering
the condition of the roads, than we did the
day Of the battle. And, in conclusion, 1
wish to say something as expressed by the
Cannoneer, that even if he had failed (which
we find he did.not), Sheridan knew that the
end was near, and il was cruel and unjust.
after Warrens useful and illustrious service.
after the Fifth Corps had fought its last
battle, 70 deprive him of his command
Y. GROVE DALTON, Co. ID, 147th n. Y,
Fulton, n. Y.