The National tribune., 1907-11-21

Icumstances, until we knew what was
at Vienna. Gen. Franklin remained
here until about / p. M, endeavoring
| to arrange for supplies for his COM
mand / am responsible for both these
circumstances. and do not see that eth
| er was in disobedience to your orders.
Please give distinct orders in reference
| to Franklin's movements of to-mor-
row."
At 10 p. m Gen. Mcclellan tele-
| graphed again:
mot hearing from you. have sent
orders to Gen. Franklin to place himself
| in communication with Gen. Pope by
| advancing as soon as possible, and al
the same time cover the transit OF
Pope's supplies. Orders have been CIV
en- for railway and wagon trains to
move to Pope with the least possible
delay"
Gen. Halleck at $40 a. m. of the
fatal 30th telegraphed Mcclellan:
Il am by no means satisfied with
Gen. Franklin's march of yesterday,
considering the circumstances Of the
case. He was very wrong in stopping
at Anandale. Moreover, l learned las:
night that the Quartermaster's Depart
ment would have given him plenty of
transportation if he had applied for it
any time since his arrival at Alexan-
dria. He knew the Importance of open
ing communications with Popes army,
ana SHOulu nave dCleu
| On the CentervilIe Hights.
Franklin's and Summers Corps only
arrived on the nights of Centerville on
the night of Aug. 80, with Franklin
well up to the front, and Sumner four
miles in his rear. They could have
been there quite as easily two days be-
fore, when their presence would have
insured a victory, if Pope could have
put them into battle with the same en-
ergetic loyalty displayed by HeintZal-
man, Hooker and Kearny. Undoubted-
| ly if Sumner could have gotten near the
battlefield he could not have been kept
out of the contest. Franklin, on the
other hand, was one of those men de-
scribed so well by old Froissart who
have such a weak stomach for fight
that they can always find abundant rea-
sons for not fighting.
| 1t rained dismally all of Aug. 81, and
this added to the gloom not only in the
camps but in Washington, where the
disheartening fact was reluctantly ac-
| IknOwledged that instead of our army
being within four miles of Richmond
the Confederate army. flushed with vic
| tory, was now almost that near to
Washington, with no certainty that at
any hour it's batteries might not send
shells from the nights of Arlington di-
rectIy into the White House and the
National Capitol.
| Gen. POpe's SOIdierly Spirit.
The dispatch which Gen. Pope sent
to Halleck telling of the battle ended
on the 30th is full of soldierly spirit,
and reflects much credit upon him. His
combinations had failed. he had made
mistakes, but his men had fought splen-
didly, never had men fought better, and
he and they were quite ready for an
other struggle with the enemy, when
they confidently expected better luck.
He had been beaten, it is true. but then
in war when two armies fight one must
be beaten, and the commander who
/ does not know how to lose does not
know how to win. The dispatch read:
I'VE have had a terrific battle again
to-day. The enemy, largely reinforced,
ASSAULTED our position early to-day. We
held our ground firmly until o'clock
\ n. m, when the enemy, massing very
heavy forces on our left, forced back
THAT wing about half a mile. At dark
we held that position. Under all the
circumstances. both horses and men
having been for two days without food.
us, / thought it best to move back to
i this place at dark. The movement has
been made in perfect order and with
out loss. The troops are in good heart,
and marched off the field without the
least hurry or confusion. Their con-
duct was very fine.
1.-THE battle was most furious for
hours without cessation, and the losses
on both sides very heavy. The enemy
is badly whipped, and we shall do well
enough. Do not be uneasy. We will
hold our own here. The labors and
hardships of this army for two or three
weeks have been beyond description.
We have delayed the enemy as long as
possible without losing the army. We
have damaged him heavily, and / think
1.-THE army Is entitled to the gratitude OF
the country. Be easy; everything will
go well.
Il .a--.- John Pope, Major General"
(To be continued)