Today in History:

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

Page 221 Chapter XXVIII. GENERAL REPORTS.

Question. Do you know anything of the size and quantity of water in the spring you heard he took possession of?

I do not, sir. I did not know there was a spring there. All the water I drank, except on one occasion, was from the pool before spoken of.

Question. At this time were the men suffering from the want of water?

They were suffering very much.

By General ORD:

Question. Before the battle of Perryville did General Buell place over you any officer with whose right and capacity to command you were dissatisfied?

I cannot say that I was wholly dissatisfied myself, that is, on my own account. I was dissatisfied, however, on account of the treatment of that officer placed over me by General Buell toward officers under my immediate command. As to his right to command, I know nothing about it except what I have heard since. I have learned that he had no right to command me; indeed, I may say I heard it prior to his being relieved of his command, but made no complaint. I obeyed his orders as cheerfully as though he had been my superior in rank.

Question. State the name of this officer.

C. C. Gilbert.

Question. You say the Army of the Ohio was demoralized at that time; do you know positively the state of discipline in other divisions besides your own at that time?

I was thrown a great deal among other divisions, and found them as much, if not more, demoralized than my own.

Question. Do you know of any petition to remove General Buell from the command of the Army of the Ohio either before or after the battle of Perryville?

I know of only one and that was never presented.

Question. What was this petition based upon?

Simply upon the idea that those signing it did not believe General Buell was commanding the army in such a manner as to secure success for our arms.

Question. Did it make any specific charges against General Buell?

None that I recollect except that.

Question. About how many colonels of charges against General Buell?

I did not count the number. Eight or ten, I suppose; perhaps more; not less, I am satisfied.

Question. Did you consider at the time that this petition was right and well founded?

I thought it was well founded at the time.

This question being objected to by the judge-advocate, the court was cleared.

Question. Do you know the names of any officers of the rank of colonel or above that rank who signed this petition?

Yes, sir.

Question. Will you state those names?

General James B. Steedman, Third Brigade of the First Division; Colonel J. M. Harlan, commanding Second Brigade of the First Division; Colonel George, commanding Second Minnesota Regiment; Colonel J. M. Connell, commanding Seventeenth Ohio; Colonel M. B. Walker, commanding First Brigade, First Division; Colonel John T. Croxton, commanding Fourth Kentucky; Major D. Ward, of the Seventeenth Ohio, Lieutenant Colonel F. W. Lister, of the Thirty-first Ohio, and several others whose names I cannot now call to mind.


Page 221 Chapter XXVIII. GENERAL REPORTS.