The National tribune., 1901-08-01
Baton Rouge.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: In The
National Tribune of July II is a very in
teresting account of the battle of Baton
Rouge La, by III. G. Wilkins, Co. Fl, 21st
Ind. Two statements, however, mar the
article a little, as is too often the case in
articles descriptive of battle by differ
ent participants. Why cannot comrades
describe battles and army scenes as they
saw them, without rejecting upon the
honesty or ability of others who write of
the same? Comrade Wilkins says: Now,
if Comrade Liscomb was trying to tell
who was not engaged in that battle he
did we'll"
Anyone not sensitive about the matter
must see that | was neither trying to tell
who was or was not there; that l made no
attempt to describe the battle; that there
was but one point aimed at, viz, that Gen.
Breckenridge did not capture Baton Rouge.
L did not even claim to be there, and now
will say what did not seem necessary to
say in asserting that Baton Rouge was
not captured, viz: that l was not there,
and wrote from memory of what my COM
rades told me. And l did actually name
the 21st Ind. No error is pointed out,
the only difficulty being that / did not
give all the credit to the Dist Ind, and
9TH Mich. But my friend Wilkins adds:
Il am inclined to think he was not a mem
Der of the old 4th Wis.," etc. 1t would be
pretty DOlu piece OIL ulSnOneSUy 1Or Il
man to sign his name as mine is signed,
said signature being false; not only false,
but sure to be detected. l am surprised
that any man should make such an insin-
uation. If the comrade wants any evi-
dence, / can refer him to Capt. Moore
(afterwards Colonel, whose recOmmenda
ton for 4 commission | have, and who
also gave commeRdation for service on the
field of battle the third day after join
o. no q n q
might ask EX-GOv. Peck, who, ON con-
solidatiOn of the regiment to eight COM
panieS will remember the work | did in
making the necessary rolls. AS he is in
Iowa he might write to George SanbOrn,
editor of the Fonda Times. If David
Whipple was alive he could get some in
formation from him; but it would not be
safe to make such an insinuation TO him;
for though u good Baptist, he made q
member of his own church take back a
statement that reflected upon me to save
himself from thrashing. Or the War
Department, my pension papers, etc.
Pshaw! Come, comrade; though your in
sinuatiOn by right requires an apology,
l will drop the matter provided you will
write more as interesting and valuable as
your last, leaving out all reflections upon
the honesty, accuracy, or courage of
others. Comrade Wilkins says: Had Col.
Paine come to the relief of the 21st Ind"
etc. Doubtless Col. Paine obeyed orders.
No braver or better officer served during
that war. In closing l may say that
have received two letters, one from New
Orleans and one from New York, COM
mending and thanking me for my article.
Also, that though not at Baton Rouge, !
was at Port Hudson until near the sur
render, when [ was carried to a hospital
in New Orleans. l also knew the Chap
lain of the 21st Ind, and soon after my
discharge entered the same profession.
ought to tell the truth now, sure.-J. n.
LIsCoMB, Co. L, 4th Wis. Cav, Los
Angeles, Cal.