hold your horses
As a local paper in the Finger Lakes region began compiling information about the early February fight around Hatcher’s Run, it criticized someone’s praise of General Grant’s tactics in an action that cost 800 Union casualties.
From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in February 1865:
Another Battle.
For several days past we have had indefinite rumors of another movement of the Army of the Potomac; and Thursday evening’s papers contain the particulars of the affair. It seems that the enemy attacked our extreme left, on Monday last. A desperate engagement took place, resulting in a reverse to our forces. The 3d. Div. of the 5th Corps were were driven back in disorder by an overwhelming assault of the enemy, back upon a line of breastworks, erected by the 2d. corps. A division of the 6th corps., which had crossed Hatcher’s Run and moved to the aid of the retreating column, also became demoralized and participated in the stampede, the whole finally rallying on supports and pushing the enemy back. the losses reported in the two days’ operations are put at 800, though the Herald’s correspondent says they are estimated much higher by many, [sic] Our forces are reported to be still in position across Hatcher’s Run and to have fortified for permanent occupation.
The telegraph censor at Washington, informs us that the enemy does not fight as well as formerly owing to “the bewildering tactics of General Grant.” Isn’t the country about sick of that kind of tactics on the part of the Lieutenant General? Eight hundred more men sacrificed by Grant’s “bewildering tactics!” Good Heavens!
