Showing posts with label Dixon S Miles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dixon S Miles. Show all posts

Sunday, June 28, 2015

Diary of Salmon P. Chase: Sunday, September 14, 1862

Went to Methodist Church. Mr. Brown preached good sermon. — Afterwards called to enquire for Mrs. Douglas, who, I found, had passed a bad night, but was better.

Went to War Department. Despatches from McClellan to the President — also to Genl. Halleck. First, complimentary respects to Mrs. Lincoln; ladies enthusiastic welcome of McClellan and his army “us.” The second states getting possession of Lee's Order to Hill of 10th. troops from various directions to attack Martinsburg and Harpers Ferry on the 12th. — capture both — and then reunite at Hagerstown; — White had anticipated the enemy by joining Miles at Harpers Ferry, where the enemy made vigorous attack yesterday; — courier from Miles says he can hold out two days, but enemy is in possession of Maryland Heights; —  McC. hopes before two days to relieve Miles—is already in possession of Middleton and Jefferson; — estimates rebel force in Maryland at 125,000 thinks defeat of his army would be ruinous, and therefore better to spare all troops from Washington than suffer it; — anticipates great battle tomorrow, Monday; — enemy don't mean to go back to Virginia, but thinks Lee has blundered and hopes to make him repent of it. — Watson rode with me.

Read several books, especially article in “Revue des deux Mondes” on the soul. In the evening, Mr. Case called and talked of Politics and Spiritualism — especially the last, in which he is a firm believer. Says he receives letters from the inhabitants of the Sixth and other Spheres, among whom are Calhoun, Brutus and others that there is a council of the 6th., presided over by Washington, to which the control of this war is committed; that Richmond will be taken about Dec. 1st., and Charleston early in the Spring. — Dr. Rabe called and talked over California matters. Seems to have been very unfairly and unjustly dealt with. Thinks Hoffman excellent man — also Sharp, Dist. Atty. Thinks Phelps or , a partisan of Fremont, will be elected Senator. Rand, new Marshal, is one of Palmer, Cook & Co. set. Advised him to examine papers, and, if possible, refute charges and be restored.

Mr. Varnum, of N. Y., and his cousin, from Mass., came in and talked a little. Nothing important.

SOURCE: Annual Report of the American Historical Association for the Year 1902, Vol. 2, p. 81-2

Friday, December 4, 2009

Who is to Blame?

When gross mismanagement, or want of military strategy, or neglect of duty leading to defeat, or even to victory so dearly purchased as at the battle of Pittsburg, occurs, the question naturally arises, who is to blame? For the terrible defeat of the Federal forces at Bull Run somebody was in fault. Col. Miles was tried before a court of inquiry for having been instrumental through drunkenness in contributing to the defeat. Some nineteen affirmed that he was drunk and twenty-six that he was not, so the investigation was dropped for fear it might prove “detrimental to the service.” For the Ball’s Bluff slaughter somebody was outrageously to blame, but who? Gen. Stone has been arrested and is now in prison, whether for this terrible disaster to our brave troops and the sacrifice of the noble Gen. Baker, is not clearly known. The transaction we presume, will yet be investigated and the guilty party be ascertained. For the disaster of the first day at the Pittsburg battle, a fearful responsibility rests upon some one of the Generals commanding. That there was gross and criminal neglect to post pickets and prepare for the defensive by using every possible precaution, while in the immediate presence of a powerful foe, led by a consummate General of offensive proclivities, is evident. Where or to whom that blame attaches, there seems to be a diversity of opinion; but that there was gross, criminal negligence all believe. Without speculating or attaching blame to any of the officers in command, we are content to abide the investigation which surely must be made.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Saturday Morning, April 19, 1862, p. 2