R. B. D. Goodwin to Irvin McDowell, September 24, 1862

General IRviN MCDOWELL:

Sir: I have recently noticed in the New York Herald your modest request, by letter, that the President would cause a court to be instituted to investigate charges brought aaainst you by a “dying officer,” &c.

In your letter you also send forth the following challenge:

“That this subject of my alleged treachery or disloyalty may be fully inquired into, I beg that all officers, soldiers, or civilians who know, or think they know, of any act of mine liable to the charge in question be allowed and invited to make it known to the court.”

Now, sir, I don’t know what frame of mind you was in when you wrote such a defiant letter. I cannot say you were then under the influence of liquor, as I have seen you at other times, both in the field and out, but that you are one of those brazenfaced Christians who bid defiance to truth I have not the least doubt.

And as I have no greater hope than yourself that any such court will be called, I will take this opportunity of making a few brief statements offacts, which you may alsodeny. .

On fhe. 3d of July, 1861, I was in Ellsworth’s camp; I there visited and heard the sad stories of many sick soldiers—sick, purged, and vomited from living on musty crackers, salt fat junk, and bad water. This was all the food allowed them. They offered to pay fer A Siro but the rebels of Alexandria would not sell them. One man was complained of for plucking an ear of corn. You, asa general, instead of seeing to the wants of your army, issued an order to the rebels, authorizing them to shoot any man who would trespass upon their property; but you did not make any provision for the health of your troops. Thesesame men were constantly being shot at while on picket duty, but your etal Had orders were not to return fire upon the rebels.

A negro servant, owned by Richard Windsor, went to Ellsworth’s camp, and informed against his master as being a colonel in the rebel army and then about to go to his rogrments The captain in command went with a squad of his men and overtook Colonel Windsor on the road. He had his carpet-bag, containing his uniform, a brace of pistols, dirk, &c., withhim. He offered the captain all his money ($500) if he weuld let him off, but the captain was one of those who would not be bought. The temper of the rebel then gave way, and he declared that he was a secessionist, and would never be anything else; also that he would soon be out of the scrape. He forthwith wrote # letter to you, general, when you promptly sent orders for your friend’s release, at the same time ordering the brave captain into confinement because he had done what he thought was his duty, but whom you never brought to trial.

These, with others, were the causes of mutiny in the regiment, as some may remember. The men declared they would not stand up to be shot whilst they were not allowed to defend themselves.

Is this what’ xen call loyalty? If this alone be true (and I do believe my many authors, both officers and men), I wonder you have escaped hanging.

If a drunken man is incapable of holding office I am ectisled cee are, for I have seen the proofs at Fairfax Court-House and in Washington, and I am sorry to say there are more of the same sort in command of our army, whose time would be short if we had not such a good-natured man for President.

We have the bravest soldiers the world ever saw, and I wish I could say the same of their leaders; ” but it is a long lane that has no turning.”

Your obedient servant,