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committed the most unaccountable injustice—an injustice for which even the cheap pretence of a misapprehension cannot serve as an excuse.
No, this will not answer. It is well enough established, that Genl. Howard gave no orders to halt. He had, indeed, a far different idea of a double-quick movement. Instead of halting troops on the way, troops whose commanders were impatient to get on, he was with me and Genl. Tyndale at the head of the column in march, making every exertion to accelerate its progress. It is also well enough established by the instructions given to Hecker, that Genl. Hooker thought very little of Howard or of Geary at that time. Such instructions are given only in expectation of an attack; they mean preparation for defense on the spot, and not preparation for a double-quick movement. In this attitude the Brigades remained there a considerable time in Genl. Hooker’s immediate vicinity, under his very eyes, within the reach of his voice, and he did not stir them. If he was under the impression, that the troops were waiting for orders to march forward, why did he not give the orders? If, in his opinion, there was a mistake, why did he not correct the mistake? Is it not one of the principal privileges and duties of a Commander to correct mistakes of his subordinates? But then Genl. Hooker indulges in statements still more serious and still more untenable.
He declares in his testimony, and declares with emphasis, that he gave no order at all to Brigades. It is sworn to before four witnesses, by Colonel Hecker, Maj. Howard, Capt. Greenhut, and Lieut. Kramer, that he gave the Commander of my 3d Brigade, not only orders, but the very explicit instructions above mentioned. With due respect to Genl. Hooker—the concurring testimony of these four witnesses admits of no doubt.
Again, Genl. Hooker declares, that he knew nothing of presence the of my 2d Brigade on that part of the field. Is it possible? Three witnesses, Col. Hecker, Capt. Greenhut, and Lieut. Kramer, testify, that he was not only informed of its presence, but that Col. Hecker in his own emphatic and demonstrative manner, which admits of no mistake, pointed it out to him as standing immediately on their left; even the name of its Commander, Col. Krzyzanowski was pronounced, and that is a name which cannot well be mistaken for any other. It is further proved, that Genl. Hooker, as soon as the conversation was concluded, rode over to the 2d Brigade and remained there. One of Genl. Hooker's own Aides testifies, that he carried orders to that Brigade; that the Brigade was, of all troops, nearest to the place where Genl. Hooker stood, and that he presumes Genl. Hooker must have been aware of its being there, as it was so near him. Lastly, Lieut. Weigel states, that when after the taking of Tyndale’s Hill he, with me, met Genl. Hooker, the commander of the 2d Brigade, Col-
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