The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-07
PORTER TAKEN TO TASK.
Gen. Coils Questions the Accuracy of
Some of His Statements.


New York Special to st. Louis Republic
The series of papers by General Horace
Porter, now running through the Century
Magazine, entitled Campaigning with
Grant" are not unlikely to lead to con-
troversy as to facts and incidents. one
has already arisen between the author and
General Charles IL. t: Coils, commissioners
of public works of this city. who served in
command of brigade during the Wilder
ness campaign of 1864.
General Coils, when seen to-day. ad-
mitted that three months ago he had writ
ten correcting an alleged error of memory
into which General Porter had fallen, but
= his letter has not yet been published. He
gave your correspondent copy of the let
ter. which is as follows:
In the February Century General Hor-
ace Porter, describing the affair at GUM
ney's Station. on May q, 1864, says While
riding forward a little in advance of head
quarters, with another staff officer. / saw
body of the enemy on the opposite side
of stream which we We're approaching.
This made US feel little apprehensive for
the safety of the commanding generals, as
Hancock was many miles in advance and
the head of Warren's corps was consid-
cradle distance in the rear. 1t was prompt
ly decided to order the regiment of infan-
try commanded by Colonel c. Fl. T. Coils,
which served as General Meade's headquar-
ters guard, to make dash across the
stream and endeavor to drive the enemy
from his position on the opposite bank
This was promptly and CALAMITY done
From this statement the reader is ex-
pected to understand, first that General
Porter and another staff officer discovered
the enemy; second, that this made them APP
prehensive for the safety of Generals Grant
and Meade. and third, that they promptly
decided TO order me to make an assault
Il am as little given as any man to talk
ing or writing about my poor contributions
to the success of our armies in the field
but if this engagement is to become his
toric it may as well be set down correctly
Therefore, | venture to correct General
Porter'S memory and l do this in justice to
myself and the gallant officers who We're
ali impeIed upon that occasion by the
a m lee uybi oh inf mo
First, no member of the STATS of Cen
erals Grant or Meade was present or any
whore near me when the enemy intercepted
and engaged my command. Second. the
enemy was discovered by the troops of my
brigade and by them only. Third, no one
was present who had any authority to give
me a command, and no did give me
any command. Fourth, no member of the
stats of Generals Grant or Meade knew
what the trouble in our front was until
1t was all over Fifth, if / am mistaken
and General Porter is correct, then the
thanks received upon the field from both
Generals Grant and Meade were due 80
him ana not to me, and they did him
CHARLES H. T. COILS.
"Brev Major General Volunteers
General Coils said to-day that he had
hoped the above would appear before Gen.
Porter sailed for Europe ana added: THAT
there may be no possible doubt about the
fact that General Porter was not there at
scribing the same affair on March 81, 1891,
when his memory six years younger.
This letter is on file in the archives of the
Loyal Legion"
The letter follows:
Immediately after the battle of Spotts-
sylvania, May, 1864 army moved by the
left flank on it's advance to the North Anna
river. On the march the Second Corps led,
the headquarters of Grant and Meade fol-
lowed and the Fifth Corps came next. The
only troops with headquarters were
squadron of cavalry and couple of regi-
ments of infantry under the command of
Colonel Coils AS the headquarters APP
preached GuinneyS Station at the crossing
of the Mattapony river, it was found that
the two corps named were number of
miles apart with nothing in the gap be-
tween them but Generals Grant and Meade,
their respective stats, Colonel Coils 81
troops and the headquarters wagon train.
Firing had been heard in the front.
When we reached the station 1t was
learned that Colonel Coils had found the
bridge across the river in possession of the
enemy and had promptly and with the true
instincts of a soldier. divided his command
crossing his right through the deep water
below the bridge and the left above it and
with another portion assaulted and carried
with carrying the positions and saving the
bridge but pushed vigorously a line of bat
tie warmly engaging the retreating enemy
until relieved by troops of the t1fth corps
and ordered to return to headquarters. Up
on his arrival he was complimented and
thanked by both Generals Grant and Meade
for the handsome manner in which he had
behaved.
General Coils further says to-day: THE
fact is the story of the great war is about
entering upon the field of romance. The
great leaders have passed away; the lips
of nearly all their staff officers are sealed
from fertile imagination and fascinating
diction. Those of US who have been spared
ought to be careful that the laurels of the
dead are not stolen from their graves.