George H. Gordon, From Brook Farm to Cedar Mountain

[350] “leaving nothing on the field but their dead, the graver cases of wounded, a couple of empty caissons, of which the horses had been killed, and a disabled gun spiked and overthrown.”

Of the engagement Pope says in his official report, “Notwithstanding these disadvantages [all the mistakes enumerated in this paper, that means] his [Banks's] corps gallantly responded to his orders, and assailed the enemy with great fury and determination. The action lasted about an hour and a half, and during that time our forces suffered heavy loss,¹ and were gradually driven back to their former position, at which point Ricketts came up.” And again, “The Massachusetts regiments ² behaved with especial gallantry; and although I regret that Banks thought it expedient to depart from my instructions, it gives me pleasure to bear testimony to his gallant and intrepid conduct.” And again, “Williams, Geary, Augur, Carroll, Gordon, Crawford, and Greene behaved with distinguished gallantry.”

It may be asked why, after the severe language we have quoted from Pope, upon Banks's disobedience of his orders, there should have been so much mildness about it in Pope's first despatches to Halleck and in the former's official report upon this subject. Pope has answered the question in his letter to the committee, saying, “I endeavored in my official report to avoid the censure justly chargeable upon Banks for his management of that battle, though I was warned at the time, by officers of high rank, that it was misplaced generosity, and that my forbearance would assuredly be used against me therefor. I did not believe it possible, and felt disposed to deal with Banks with the utmost tenderness; . . . but from the course he has pursued, ”