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