The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1906-04-05
AND RETREAT.


indeed. I am not certain that report
by Gen. Johnston was not published
to that effect, that the retreat was
ordered because you and Gen. Polk
had declined to fighter, rather. had
given an opinion adverse to battle. ;!
can say. after four years experience OF
war, that / am satisfied that no SOL
diers in the world could have held the
line then occupied by your corps dur
Ing the next day, unless the enemy
had been very remiss in taking ad-
vantage OF his position.
II have heard that Gen. Johnston,
In his history OF the war, says you
were mistaken about the enemy being
Immediately on your flank on May 10,
1864. He was misinformed by whom
soever gave him this idea, for, as
have said, several Of our men were
in your immediate proximity, and be-
fore our army was in line of battle.
Every truly yours,
'"Taylor Beattie, late Colonel, c. S. A"
"Manifcstly True"
The foregoing statements prove the
report characterized by Gen. Johnston
as "manifestly untrue" to be manifest
ly true. Five thousand witnesses,
moreover, could be produced to testify
to the truth Of my assertion. 1t would,
indeed. seem strange that, after bat
Ting three long years with the same
enemy, wearing the same uniform, and
bearing the same cOlors. ! should be
so grossly deceived as to make O false
report, especially when 1 had a full
field, within a distance of 400 to 500
yards. (Since the foregoing was
penned Gen. Carson. Of the Federal
army, who Is now engaged in writing
an account of Gen. HOOker's opera
lions, informs me that 1t was a por-
Of Prrff nd
which appeared on the Canton road.
and fired into my column.)
I did not fall back and form across
the Canton road, as Gen. Johnston
states; his Chief Of Staff overlook me
too soon to allow this movement; in
lions / marched back to join Folks
right, which had remained in the same
position ] had left II. Whilst Maj.
Austin was still engaged with this same
enemy on the Canton road, and my
corps was nearing the line occupied
by Gen. Polk on the ridge in front Of
Cassville, orders were issued for the
army to fall back to the ridge in rear
of the town.
This position was commanded by the
ridge we were about to abandon. and
q greater portion thereof was exposed
TO an enf1lade fire Of the enemy's ar
tillery. Gen. F. A. Shoupe, Gen. John
ston's Chief Of Artillery, advised the
Confederate commander Of this fact
before the army was ordered to occupy
that line. as stated in my official re-
port. Gen. Johnston does not, II / re-
member correctly, refer to Gen.
Shoupe's monition in his own official
report, which he has failed to publish
In his Narrative, although the latter
purports to be his contribution for the
use Of the future historian; this report
should be one OF the most important
: records Of his military career, for the
omission Of which, however, he apollo
gizes by stating that 1T had been pub
lshed by the Confederate Government.
In the Rear Of Cassville.
In reference to the position estab-
nshed on the ridge in rear Of the town.
this General writes:
THE Federal artillery commenced
firing upon Hoods and Folks troops
soon after they were formed, and con-
tinued to cannOnade until night. Brig
Gen. Shoupe, Chief OF Artillery, had
pointed out to me what he thought q
weak point near Gen. Folks right, q
space Of $50 or 200 yards, which, in
his opinion. might be enfiladed by ar
tillery placed on a hill more than a
mile OF, beyond the front Of our right
SO far, it seemed to me. as to make the
danger trifling. Still. he was requested
to instruct the officer commanding
there to guard against such a chance
by the construction OF traverses. and
to impress upon him that no attack of
Infantry could be combined with a fire
Of distant artillery. and that his infan-
try might safely occupy some ravfne In
rear Of this position during any such
fire Of artillery"
1t will be seen that the artillery of
the enemy opened upon Folks and my
troops soon after they were formed;
Gen. Shoupe pointed out only a small
portion Of our line which might be
enfiladed by artillery; also, that Gen.
Shoupe was requested to instruct the
officer there commanding to guard
against this evil by the construction
reported to Gen. Johnston that a large
portion OF the ridge he proposed to
occupy in rear Of Cassville would be
endladed by the Federal artillery; In
other words. that the position OF the
line subsequently occupied by Polk and
1n substance what ! stated In my off,
cfal report; and this statement was
written by Gen. Shoupe himself, at
present the Rev. DR.. Shoupe, OF Sc
vance, Tenn. The subjoined letter is
confirmatory OF my assertion:
"Sewanee, Tenn, June 8, 1874.
Dear General: With regard to the
tinct recollection. pointed out the
fact to Gen. Johnston that his line
would be enfiladed before the troops
were posted, and suggested a change
OF position to obviate the trouble.
1.-THE General replied that the troops
could not hope to be always sheltered
from fire, and that they must make
the best Of II by traversing.
LAS soon an the enemy got into DO
sition my fears were fully verified. The
line at that point fell back from the
crest Of the ridge, but was poorly shell
tered even upon the slope. /. should
say that there was as much as a quar-
ter Of mile badly exposed to the enc
my's fire.
Gen. Polk was present at the time
the conversation between Gen. john
ston and myself took place, and strong
ly supported my objections.
Il am indeed sorry to have my name
mixed up In the difference between
Gen. Johnston and yourself. but 1 do
not see that / can decline to reply to
such questions as you please to ask.
With high regard. / am, ETC.,
IF. A. Shoupe."
Gen. Johnst0n's Memory Treacher0us.
The memory Of Gen. Johnston must
assuredly have become very teacher
Gus TO have forgotten not only the re-
monstrances Of Gen. Shoupe, but the
earnest opposition Of Gen. Polk: and,