Today in History:

197 Series I Volume XVI-I Serial 22 - Morgan's First Kentucky Raid, Perryville Campaign Part I

Page 197 Chapter XXVIII. GENERAL REPORTS.

signed by officers within your own division for the removal of one of your brigade commanders? If you do, please state what you know about it and how that matter came to my notice?

There was such a petition, signed by a good many officers of the brigade, and it was handed to me with this officer's resignation. I tried to persuade him not to resign, but he assisted on doing so, and requested also to forward this application in the Army, and I presume that was the way in which the information reached General Buell.

Question. State, if you please, what I did in reference to that matter.

I think General Buell saw this officer, and after conversation with him his resignation was withdrawn and the application of those officers with it. I do not remember that any other action was taken in the matter. I sent for some officers and spoke to them myself-about it, and I believe that the greater part of them apologized to the brigade commander for having signed any such paper; but I do not know whether General Buell saw any of these officers or not.

Question. Do you remember whether that paper was referred to you for official information with reference to official action?

That paper was referred to me, as I remember now, for a report of how it came to my headquarters, and I explained on the indorsement that was sent back with the resignation how it came to my headquarters. It came to my headquarters, and I sent it back to the officer concerned, the brigade commander. The officer concerned heard of it and tendered his resignation, and requested me to permit him to hand that paper with his resignation. I tried to dissuade him from doing so, but he still desired it and I permitted him to do it, but disapproved of the acceptance of this resignation, and that was the explanation I gave to General Buell when the paper was sent back.

Question. Do you know any reason why I could not at that time take any further steps with reference to such a breach of discipline?

I think about the next day after my division immediately after the battle of Perryville and who were the brigade commanders in it, as well as you remember?

General Schoepf commanded the division up to the day of the battle of Perryville; and I was informed by some person a few days afterward that he had obtained a leave of absence about that time, probably the day after the battle, and that General Fry, being the senior brigadier-general in the division, commanded the division. General Steedman commanded the Third Brigade; Colonel Walker, of the Thirty-first Ohio, commanded the First Brigade, and Colonel Harlan, of the Tenth Kentucky, commanded the Second Brigade. Up to the battle of Perryville I presume General Fry commanded to Second Brigade.

Redirect examination by the JUDGE-ADVOCATE:

Question. General, did you hear General Buell express any discontent or administer any rebuke to General McCook for his conduct on the 8th at Perryville?

I do not think I heard him administer any rebuke, but I heard say to General McCook that he had no idea that a battle was being fought till it was all over. I inferred from the remark of General Buell that he thought that General McCook ought to have been certain of his being informed of the necessity of sending some re- enforcements, though I might have been mistaken. The conversation was friendly - no harshness on the part of General Buell at all.

Question. General Buell is remarkable, is he not, for the manner in which he holds subordinate officers to what he considers their duty?

I regard General Buell as an excellent disciplinarian. I do not know that he is more remarkable than any other good disciplinarian in enforcing discipline.

Question. Can you state whether the signal corps was at work on that afternoon?

Yes, sir; part of it was.


Page 197 Chapter XXVIII. GENERAL REPORTS.