Today in History:

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

Page 332 KY., M. AND E.TENN.,N.ALA., AND SW.VA. Chapter XXVIII.

Redirect examination by General BUELL:

Question. Do you know the name of any officer or officers who have knowledge of the capture and paroling of any officers of General Bragg's army while the Army of the Ohio was on the march from Bowling Green to Munfordville? If so, please give the names of those officers.

I have no knowledge of the capture and paroling. The prisoners were paroled while the army was laying at Cave City-one a Lieutenant Lay; the other a major, whose name I do not know; and then there were some 15 or 20 wounded officers whom I paroled myself.

Question. Can you name other officers who have such knowledge?

Major Samuel Hill, Second Indiana Cavalry, took the prisoners back. Major Starling paroled them, I believe, or General Crittenden. I had no knowledge of it.

Question. State, if you please, all the particulars of the capturing and paroling of those prisoners that you have any knowledge of yourself.

Lieutenant Lay was captured at the tunnel below Mr. Proctor's, Bell's Tavern-he and, I think, 5 men, as they were riding south. This major was captured with two or three others when that part went out to attack the train captured and brought in by Colonel Wolford. My impression is that he was reported to me first, but I turned him over to General Crittenden; but I am not positive.

Question. Was there anything peculiar in the circumstances of the capture or paroling of these prisoners?

No, sir; nothing that I am aware of, either in the capture or parole.

General BUELL. I do not understand what the purpose of the investigation on this point is, but I desire to give the Commission and the judge-advocate every possible opportunity to get any information they may wish, and I shall be very glad if the examination will be continued on that point in reference to anything that may not be understood.

The JUDGE-ADVOCATE. A Major or Colonel Forsyth, I understand, was taken prisoner at some point near Munfordville and paroled, and that he immediately returned to the army and resumed his duty there as officer. I have seen his correspondence, and I gather from that he paid no attention to his parole.

General BUELL. How do you know he paid no attention to his parole?

The JUDGE-ADVOCATE. I gather so from his own correspondence. He writes as though he had taken part with the army in its subsequent campaign. A case of that kind occurred in the Harper's Ferry affair, and when it was complained of to General Hill he knew nothing about it and treated it with perfect contempt. If every officer paroles his captured prisoners we shall lose prisoners by not getting them properly exchanged. That is my reason for asking the question.

The WITNESS. I paroled none of those prisoners at all.

General SCHOEPF. I understood the cartel was in full operation before we marched from Nashville. If, therefore, every officer paroled prisoners according to his pleasure it would not be right. They ought to be reported to headquarters and a list taken of all the prisoners captured because we lose if every officer captures and paroles "on his own hookJanuary

General BUELL. Is there anything in the evidence to show that officers paroled men at their pleasure?

By General TYLER:

Question. What prisoners were they that you captured?

The prisoners I paroled on that march were sick and wounded. Those able to


Page 332 KY., M. AND E.TENN.,N.ALA., AND SW.VA. Chapter XXVIII.