Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-18
Gen. Slocum at Gettysburg.

To the Editor of The Star:
In your issue of November is printed
communication regarding my statements as
to Slocum being indifferent and reluctant
to comply with the numerous requests of
Gen. Howard to render assistance at Get
tysburg. l have quoted from Gen. Towards
report in support of my position. BY that
report l stand pat. This report will be re-
ferred to as official authority for all time
to come, regardless of the writings of any
historian who possibly may be biased or
prejudiced against certain officers OF our
army 1t is not within my power to change
one word Of those reports. And II 1t We're
I would not do so to please any critic,
whether he belonged to the 18th Corps or
any other. 1 allow my critics statement to
be true, that Gen. Slocum arrived at Two
Taverns at IL o'clock, his corps resting
quietly by the roadside from three to hve
miles from Gettysburg. And that was within
the sound Of guns of one of the bloodlest
battles of the war. on hot, sultry day,
not d breath of air stirring, and slocum
was informed by a citizen that battle was
being fought at Gettysburg. 1t
o'clock before any of his troops moved, and
that by an urgent request of Gen. Hancock
and Gen. Howard. One division took posi-
ton on the extreme right, between and =
o'clock, the other division taking position
on the extreme left at Little Round Top,
about o'clock, Gen. Slocum stating that
he did not to come up to the front
and take the responsibilities of that fight.
He took good care not to report himself to
Gen. Howard at the cemetery until o'clock
in the evening, thereby showing reluctance
and indifference toward Gen. Towards re-
peated requests to come to his assistance
in time of need The battle commenced at
0 o'clock in the morning and ragged with
fury until the retreat of our troops about
o clock in the afternoon, with loss of over
ten thousand dead and wounded-nearly
many as the two succeeding days. The
main battle was on when the 18th Corps ar
rived, at 1870 pm. By 1 o'clock all troops,
both Union and confederate the
field, with the exception of Gen. Early's d-
vision (confederate), which arrived about
O'Clock.
Gen Meade and all his corps commanders
knew the location of Gen. Lees army. Dis
patches of June 80 indicated Gen. Lees in
tention to give battle at Gettysburg. Gen.
Meade admits that in his circular OF June
80, page 416. Correspondence series 1, vol
| ume 81 part 81 1t was the desire of Gen.
Meade to fight the battle on Pipe creek
July 1, and he issued circular OF instruc-
tions to that effect, subject to developments
as circumstances might arise. July l Gen.
Meade sent communication to Gen. Rey-
nolds at Gettysburg telling him he had just
assumed command in obedience to orders.
Having had no time to learn the condition
of the army he would gladly receive any
suggestions laid down in his note. He con-
siders Gen. Humphrey an excellent adviser
as to the nature of the country for defensive
or offensive operations. land suggests you
consult with him. Would like to have your
views" Extracts page AGO, copy to Maj.
Gen. Howard)
After Gen Reynolds interview with Gen
Buford at o'clock in the morning Gen.
Reynolds sends courier to Gen. Meade
telling him that the heights around Gettys-
burg were the place to fight. He ordered
Gen. Buford to hold the Chambersburg pike
at all hazards until he could reinforce him.
Developments did not come Gen Meades
way. Gen. Meade was compelled to meet
Gen. Lees army at Gettysburg. Had Gems
Sheridan. Kearny, Carroll or Fighting"
Joe Hooker been in Gen. Slocum's position
they could have found warrant enough by
conditions and circumstances to march at
the sound of guns without orders; espe-
cially with repeated requests by Gen. How
ard, in command of the field.
At 3:15 pm correspondence, page 464)
Gen. Sickles received communication from
Gen. Howard dated 100 pm.) by a staff
officer, requesting him to come to his sup
port, etc.
At 4:45 pm. (page 466) Gen. Meade had
Just learned that Gen. Howard had ordered
Gen. Sickles to Gettysburg, and so informed
Gen. Sickles.
Headquarters Sd Army Corps.
July j, 1853 900 pm.
MAI. Gen. Butterfield, Chief of staff:
"General-Before the receipt OF your dis
patch dated at 4:45 pm.) four brigades
and three batteries of my corps had adj
vanced to the support Of Gen. Howard and
reached Gettysburg, etc. page 46S)
I'D. e. SICKLES
Major General Commanding"
The following Is from Gen Birney'S re-
| port series l. volume 81. part 1, page 4S2:
During the afternoon of the same day
(July u at o'clock l was ordered by Maj.
Gen Sickles to proceed Immediately to Get
tysbIrg with my LIST and I'd brigades and
three batteries. reporting to Maj. Gen. How
ard, then engaged with the enemy. My
command reached Gettysburg at $50 pm"
At the sound of guns ten miles away Gen.
Sickles ordered Gen. Birney to Gettysburg
one hour and fifteen minutes before he
ceived dispatch from Gen. Howard
3:15 pm
A monument has been erected to the hon.
or of Gen. SIocum and Gen. Warren, not
withstanding the latter's unfortunate cir
cunstances at Five Forks or Gravely Rum
being relieved from command by Gen. Sher-
dan, which action was approved by Gen.
Grant, thus showing that neither Gen.
Grant nor Gen. Sheridan approved OF indif-
ference or reluctance in time of need on the
part Of any of their generals. In View OF