The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-01-02
THAT LOST OPPORTUNITY.
Controversies over Gen. warren's Actions
ut Five Forks.

Controversies over Gen. warren's Actions
ut Five Forks.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: C0mrade
T. F. Mccoy and others claim that l made
statements in my late article injurious and
unjust to Gen. Warren.
Nothing of the kind was intended. / have
a very high opinion of Gen. Warren and his
Fifth Corps. Their record previous to mid
night of March 81, 1866, is without re-
proach.
In writing from memory mostly one IS apt
to get ahead or behind his story. Such was
my case in regard to the time Gen. warren
was removed. My article dealt with Gen.
Warren at the particular time, from mid
night, March 81, until the close of the en-
gagement night of April 1, 1865.
There is no argument in bringing up any
former engagement On this particular oc-
casion Gen. Warren had positive orders from
Gen. Meade, approved by Gen. Grant, to
move to a certain point at once and report
TO Gen. Sheridan, who was in position to
know the need and position of troops, and
he was authorized by Gen. Grant to COM
mand all forces there operating, and was by
Gen. Grant held responsible for the results.
Gen. Warren had no choice but to obey.
Gen. Sheridan was informed that Warren
ought to reach him by IL o'clock, midnight,
but up to 3 o'clock a. m. nothing had been
heard from Warren. The orders were to
attack at daylight. The cavalry began their
part promptly by demonstrating on the right
flank and front of the enemy.
The Fifth Corps was to attack on the left
flank But instead of hurrying to the front
Gen. Warren put his men in bivouac until
daylight; then, when they should have been
in position, were three miles away. AS they
broke camp Pickett was falling back and the
grand opportunity was lost.
Some of the Fifth Corps men say the roads
were muddy and INSTRUCTED by led horses
and wagons, and it was out of the question
| to move. Right here is where all the con-
troversy hinges.
If Gen. Warren had urged his men to plod
along, they could and would have done it
and no questions asked. That they did not
| do so is the fault of Gen. Warren alone, and
why try to make it appear otherwise by
citing previous exploits?
Now we come to what the Fifth Corps
actually did do when they became engaged.
| Ayers's Division being nearest struck the
enemy first. and was temporarily curled up.
| Crawford's Division took the wrong direction,
and Griffin was following, them. This made
a gap between Ayers and Crawford which
the enemy quickly took advantage Of Gen.
Sheridan also observed the gap and took
quick action TO remedy it by sending for
Warren TO change the movement.
Warren could not be found. Sheridan
then sent orders direct to Griffin to fill the
gap, also to Crawford to change direction to
the left. Griffin, that gallant hero, had
already shifted the fray, and, with the in
stnct of a soldier had changed his direction.
coming in between Ayers and Crawford
Ayers, now rallying his men, with Griffin,
swept everything, Crawford coming in for a
share also. No one complains of either d.
visions officers or men there.
Now with citing what Gen. Sherman says
regarding the removal of Gen. Warren,
leave the subject: D.
at would be an unsafe and dangerous
rule to hold the commander Of an army in
battle to technical adherence to any rule
of conduct for managing his command. He
is responsible for results, and holds the lives
and reputation of every officer and soldier
under his orders as Subordinate to the great
| end-victory.
1.-The most important events are usually
compressed into an hotT, a minute, and he
cannot stop to analyze bis reasons. He
must act on the impulse, The convictions Of
| the IllSldtJ anu SHOuN VIC ouotoiucu III h's
convictions if not maIffiestly unjust.
THE power to command men, and give
vehement impulse to their joint action, il
something which cannot be defined in words
I but it is plain and manifested in battle
and he who commands an army in chic
must choose his subordinates by reason O
qualities which can alone be tested in actual
conflict.
"No one questions the patriotism, integ
rity, and great intelligence Of Gen. Warren
These are attested by a long record of mos
excellent service; but in the clash of arms
at and near Five Forks, March 81 and Apri
/, 1865, his personal activity fell short o
the standard fixed by Gen. Sheridan, OF
whom alone rested the great responsibility.
for that and succeeding days.
"My conclusion is that Gen. Sheridan
was perfectly justified in his action in thi
case, and he must be fully and entirely sus
tanned if the United States expects grea
victories by her arms in the future"
That this is fair and just conclusion
must be admitted by ais. A. CLARK, Is
VT Cav, Willow Lakes, S. ID.