The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1908-06-25
Gen. stanley. statement.

Capt. Schofields estimate of the
number of fugitives that crossed the
river must have been either guess work
or the result of hearsay. Gen. STAN
ley says (Oficial report): 1.-THE part
of the Twenty-third Corps stationed
in the works for a distance of sthree or
four hundred yards to the right of the
Columbia pike, and which space took
in the list Ky. and 9Th Ohio Batteries
broke and ran to the rear with the
fugitives from Conrad's Brigade. To
add to the disorder, the caissons of the
two batteries galloped rapidly to the
rear, and the enemy appeared upon our
breaStwOrkS in possession of the two
batteries, which they commenced to
turn upon us. The moment
was critical beyond any have known
IN any battle. The retreating
men of Conrad's Brigade, and, 1 be-
lieve, the Twenty-third Corps, seeing the
line of Opdycke's Brigade start for the
works, commenced to rally"
Other evidence can be produced in
abundance to show that all the run
ming was not done that day by Wag
ners men: yet, strange to say, Capt.
Schofield does not mention this alarm
ing disorder in his own (Cox's) Divi-
sion. which must have been of suffi-
cient moment to claim for the time be-
ing the undivided attention of all Off
GERS of the division, both field and
staff. without time to watch what other
troops were running and how far they
went.
2 Capt. Schofield says the artillery
of the Twenty third Corps was crossed
TO the north side of the Harpeth River,
and the Fourth Corps batteries were
substituted in the firing line. because
Gen. Schofield intended to retreat to
Nashville without fighting. This may
be a logical statement, but it looks sus-
piciously like wise precautien to save
the guns of his own corps, in case of
disaster, and let the Fourth Corps take
the chances.
Opdycke's Charge.
Another remarkable omission in
Capt Schofields account is his failure
to say anything definite about the
grand charge by the First Brigade
(Opdycke's). of Wagner's Division: n i
charg" that 70 rimpetuosity. daring
bravery, and results accomplished, was
seldom equaled and never excelled by
any other made during the entire civil
war. Opdycke saved the day when
it looked as if it was already lost, and
won for himself more glory than fell
to the lot of any other officer on that
valorous field. 1t was the inspiring !
sight of Opdycke's Brigade, with
cleaning bayonets, leaping forward 20
the fray, that gave both courage and
opportunity to the fleeing men of other
to rally and go back with
them and help restore our broken line
and save the day for the Union.
The strange omission by Capt. Scho-
field to mention the highly meritorious
part borne by Wagner and his troops
in this campaign, taken together with
the persistent effort to fasten dishonor
upon them at Franklin, looks wonder
fully like a deliberate attempt to eXalt
at their expense the achievements of
other officers and other men. This
was wholly unnecessary: because there
was "glory enough for all'' won on that
field. The terrible check
that Hood received there took the gin
ger out of his army and made it
easy mark for the vail
ant Thomas at Nashville a fortnight
later. A Williams. Co. e, 135th
Ind, 525 Beard avenue, Danville, Ill.