Page:Hooker Inquiry (Wauhatchie Engagement) - Schurz Argument - Page 01.jpg



In submitting the case to this Court of Inquiry, I am obliged to notice a circumstance which is of a delicate nature, but about which I shall speak with entire frankness. I asked for this investigation, and it was granted. The manner in which it was granted deviates in a remarkable degree from the recognized usage of military life. I think there never was a military court in the Army of the United States, not one member of which held an equal rank with the accused; and I doubt, whether there ever was a court of inquiry in this army, all the members of which belonged to the command of the accuser. I am far from intending any reflection upon the Court, as it is now constituted; for there is probably no man in the army who has less of the pride of rank in him than I; nor do your official relations to the accuser in this case, give me any uneasiness as to your impartiality. But I wish to observe, that in accepting the form in which this investigation was offered to me, I had to waive a question of propriety. In justice to you I waived that question without hesitation; in justice to myself I have to notice it.

In Maj.-Genl. Hooker's report of the night engagement of Wauhatchie, we find the following paragraph:

“I regret that my duty constrains me to except any portion of my command in my commendation of their courage and valor. The brigade dispatched to the relief of Geary, by orders delivered in person to its Division Commander, never reached him until long after the fight had ended.