Page:Hooker Inquiry (Wauhatchie Engagement) - Schurz Argument - Page 16.jpg

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Tyndale’s Hill, I received official notice of the detention of my 2d and 3d Brigades, by orders and instructions coming from Gen. Hooker.

It is proved that these notices were brought by staff officers, whose business it is to carry such information, and that, therefore, I was justified in considering it as reliable, which, as the evidence shows, it was.

It is proved that, at the same time, I received, through one of Gen. Hooker's Aides, an order to take and occupy the hill, now known as Tyndale’s, with one Brigade.

It is proved by the Aide who brought the order, that T duly informed him of my having but one Brigade on hand, and of the impossibility of reinforcing Geary, if that one Brigade was employed in occupying the hill.

It is proved that the order was repeated, and that it was a positive and direct order. That it was Gen. Hooker's order, is proved by Gen. Hooker himself in his report, in his letter, and in his testimony. It is proved by Gen. Hooker, also, that I did right in executing it; in his own words, the order was “duly executed.”

It is proved that all these movements were executed with all possible speed, and that the troops could not have moved quicker on the ground as as it then was.

So much for the first act of the drama. Now for the second.

Gen. Hooker swears to his report. While Tyndale's Brigade was directed to take the hill on the left, “the other Brigade was to push on as ordered.” This Brigade is censured for not having arrived at Geary’s until long after the fight had ended, while, as the report says, it had been dispatched to the relief of Geary by orders delivered in person to its Division Commander. Here is the censure, and here is the question to be decided. Why did not the other Brigade push on, and why did it arrive long after the fight had ended?

It is proved that my 2d and 3d Brigades followed the first, in the direction of Wauhatchie, according to my orders.

It is proved that, after having marched a certain distance, the 2d Brigade was suddenly stopped on the road, and that the 3d marched by the 2d, in the direction of Wauhatchie, according to my orders.

It is proved that immediately afterwards, the 3d Brigade was halted also, and received special instructions from General Hooker himself.

It is proved that Genl. Hooker’s attention was directed to the 2d Brigade, that it was pointed out to him, and that he remained with it a considerable time.