The National tribune., 1907-10-24

that its retreat was at last over. and
that it had gained far better position
for its work in hand, the capture OF
Richmond, than that which ii had evac-
uated. McClellan's Generals thought so
too. and Gen. FitZ-John Porter sent a
message to Mcclellan expressing the
hope that the falling back was ended
and that they would stay where they
were. There were other reasons con-
trolling the minds of Mcclellan and
i tCommodore Rogers, of the navy. Above
city Point, where the Appomattox pours
in its food, the James River rapidly
narrows. with high banks on the south
side. BY placing batteries there the
enemy would be able to drive away the
| transports and seriously annoy the ma
val vessels acting as their convoy. The
bluffs We're too high 10 be effectively
reached by the naval guns, and it was
therefore determined to fall back seven
miles to HarriSon's Landing. where the
| river was three or four times wide,
and the opposite shore so low that it
could be readily swept by the artillery
| of the fleet
| Somewhere about 10 o'clock Gen
Porter received orders to move his COM
mand at once to Harrison's Bar, with
the reserve artillery in advance. n
case he found it impossible to move his
heavy artillery he was to spike the guns
another illustration of McCIellan's un-
fortunate tendency. since that act alone
would have given his movement the
appearance of a hurried retreat and al
lowed the Confederates to claim vic
tory. Couch was to move with Porter
Inc corps of HeintZelman and Sumner
were to follow, and Keyes's Corps was
to cover the manuver, with Avereli's
Cavalry bringing up the rear. A dismal
rain came on, which lasted until night.
The worn-out soldiers, whose exulta-
ton over the victory had been changed
to dependency by the orders to con-
tinue the retreat, plodded on over mud
oy roads as sulkily and YEARLY as dis
couraged soldiers always will Not ONLY
the regular roads, but every path and
open place was soon tranpled into slip
perry. clinging mud by the feet of the
thousands of men and animals passing
over them
With the Order to Re-
treat.
The order to retreat from the field of
victory aroused the most energetic op-
position among the Generals Gen.
F1tZ-John Porter, warm friend as he
was of Mcclellan, could not keep him
self from Indignantly expressing his dis
satisfaction with the order and protest |
ing against its execution.
Gen. Phil Kearny said in the presenc.
OF several officers: II, Phillip Kearny. |
an Old soldier, enter my solemn protest !
against this order for retreat. We
ought, instead of retreating, to follow |
up the enemy into Richmond; and in |
Iull view of all of the responsibilities OF
such declaration / say to you that
such an order can only be prompted b-
cowerdice or treason
In his testimony before the Commit
tee on the Conduct of the War. Gen.
testified hot I.a
great victory at Malvern Hill. He was
asked, Gould you have gone into Rich
mond after that fght?" and he an
Il havc-ao doubt we could. The day
before had had a fight at Glendale.
ina under the orders I had to leave my
wounded behind me, and left two Sur s
yeons to take care of them. The enemy
n coming to Malvern had to march l
light by my hospital Nv Surgeons {
lfterward reported to me that, about
p. m. on the day of the battle at NAL !
ern, the enemy commenced falling .
'ack, and kept it up all night; that they I
we're totally demoralized, many of the I
nen gong on into the woods and trying Il
o conceal themselves from their off, !
ers, and that they were two days col
ectlng their forces together" e
u: Had the defeat of the enemy at C
lalvern been followed up by the whole h
orce, what would have been the prob s
BILE result?" C
"A: Richmond would have been ours u
eyond a doubt" o
O.: Instead of that you fell back to 4
larrison's Landing?" e
"A: Yes, sir. We were ordered to re-
'eat, and it was like the retreat of a L
'h1pped army. We retreated like n n
arcei OF sheep; everybody on the road "
{ the same time; and few shots from v
lie rebels would have panic-stricken the r
hole command" a
Inere was also much dissatisfaction g.
1T in the Confederate army over Lees C;
unders and mistakes in the campaien J;
nd particularly at Malvern Hill. 1t re- II
iired all of his high social position Sc
i'm against his critics At that time I'll
,weVer the rigor of martial law was m
,ing felt, and men found it dangerous III
express any opinion too freely that 81
as IN opposition to the Confederate to
residents. Gen. d. H. Hill, whose di- al
sion had suffered frightfully, could not de
strain himself, however, from speak, 70
e of the ''blundering arrangements of gi
e battle" su
Who Covered the RetreatY
There is dispute between Keyes and ,
oyement Gen Keves savs tho. ~ ~ 'niS eli
wed orders from Adj't-Gen. Seth Will ed
ms TO command the rear guard. and ihi
ent the whole night in that work. His va
ST step was to send party to destroy XII
rkey Bridge. and he then detailed % mi mi
pert aXmen from Capt Clarks COM "a
ny, 9Th Ill. Cav. TO chop trees half an
y thru along the road. After every VIC
ng passed a few blows with the ak
IT these down into the road, and OH sal
ucted it for some hours po
In spite of the rain and darkness mt
yes's men found side roads and paths gle
ich could be cleared for the passage rec
trains and men, so as to relieve the TO-
e main road. This was exceedingly mi
pful, as. if stretched out on one line. OF
wagons. caissOns, ambulances. etc tua
uid nave reached 40 miles. He saws M
II When he reached the ridge, which tne
the highest point on the road Gen. ma
#. Smith came along at the head of Iou
division and exclaimed, Here's POI
ID place for a battle!" Keyes in oSi
red. Would you like to have t; .ot;
ltE to which Smith returned, Yes. ira
here and now" The troops ali age
sed thru. but there were 500 wagons put
struggling in the mud in the rear I'LL
sse were all saved, however. with tn, wol
eption of those which broke down rea
utterly that 1t was impossible tn rep
We them. keyes had his men gather
the shocks of reaped wheat to fill ana
the deep ruts in the roads. The enc mad
came pushing after with artillery. pre-