Today in History:

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

Page 284 KY.,M. AND E. TENN.,N. ALA.,AND SW. VA. Chapter XXVIII.

Question. What did Major Wright say in reply to that, and do you know if the carried that message?

I cannot recall any reply, and I do not know if he carried the message.

Question. Were you at General Buell's headquarters that morning? If so, state what occurred.

I think we were there twice during the morning of the day of the battle.

Question. What do you mean by "we"?

General Gilbert and his staff.

Question. What occurred while you were there?

I do not remember anything occurring in the morning, except Captain Michler and Captain Gilman returning from the front, and the report they made of having run on to a body of the enemy and having drawn their fire.

Question. Was that at your first visit?

Yes, sir.

Question. What occurred the second time when you were there?

The second time that we went back to General Buell's headquarters I think it must have been very nearly 12 o'clock. We remained there a considerable time. I should think we were there nearly two hours. It was while we were there at that time that we heard a heavy and furious cannonading commenced in front. General Buell and General Gilbert, when that heavy cannonading commenced, came from the tents, and General Buell remarked to General Gilbert that there was a great waste of powder there, and directed him to send an order to the front to stop that useless waste of powder. "Stop that firing," that was his expression. General Gilbert called his adjutant-general, Captain Stacy, who wrote a pencil order, which was sent to the front, I supposed in accordance with General Buell's orders to him. It was sent to the front by an orderly while we were there. I think at that time General Gilbert expressed a wish to go forward and General Buell asked him to remain to dinner, which was nearly ready. He did remain and dined with General Buell, but left almost immediately afterward for his command.

Question. State what you know of the signal corps being at work that day.

I noticed a flag station on the hill opposite General Buell's headquarters; there was another on the hill to the right, where General Gilbert was stationed, which was on the right of the pike that runs from Perryville. I saw another station away to the left of our position and in the rear of where Captain Gay had been figuring all the morning with his command, just on the edge of the wood, on the right of General McCook's position.

Question. How often were you at General Buell's headquarters that day?

My impression now is that we were there four times.

Question. State, if you can, at what other times during the day you were there besides those you have mentioned.

We were there later in the evening twice after those I have referred to; probably it might have been 8 or 9 o'clock in the evening; it was some time after dark.

Question. What officers besides General Gilbert did you see there?

I did not see any general officer there that I remember.

Question. Do you recollect seeing General McCook that day?

No, sir; I did not.

Question. What was the command at headquarters about that firing while you were there?

I do not remember anything further than that I have already stated.


Page 284 KY.,M. AND E. TENN.,N. ALA.,AND SW. VA. Chapter XXVIII.