Today in History:

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

Page 465 Chapter XXVIII. GENERAL REPORTS.

Question. What reason had you for leaving the State at that time?

I was a good deal scared at that time, as a good many others were. We heard a groat many tales about pressing men into the service, and as I did not care about going in I thought it better to leave.

Question. What service do you refer to?

To the Union service.

By General DANA:

Question. Do you know of any men pressed into the service of the United States; can you name any man?

No, sir; I have heard of a great name, but could not find out how it was. I heard a great name tales when the Confederates were in Kentucky where I live about what was being done at louisville and Covington.

By General SCHOEPF:

Question. Was there a single Union officer or soldier near Lexington to press you into the service?

No, sir; not at that time.

By General TYLER:

Question. Are you in favor of all the laws passed by Congress and of all orders issued by the President of the United States and his subordinate military authorities, so far as they have come to your knowledge, for the suppression of the rebellion commenced at Fort Sumter and since carried on by the revel Government at Richmond, of which Jefferson Davis is president?

The JUDGE-ADVOCATE. I am forced, Mr. President, to object to this question. I cannot see precisely the ground upon which the question can be pressed upon this witness or asked of him.

General BUELL. I desire to enter my objection to the question also for the reasons which I stated yesterday in an objection to precisely the same question to another witness.

The JUDGE-ADVOCATE. There is a difference between this witness and the former one. the former witness had, from the position he occupied, taken an oath to sustain the Constitution of the United States. That oath he may have violated, and violating that oath affects his credibility before this or any other court. But here is a witness occupying no such position, and I think on that ground the question is scarcely pertinent.

General TYLER. I propose to ask the question of every witness, whether presented by the judge-advocate of General Buell, as a means of obtaining information as to their credibility. On the answer given to that question will depend very much the force that I shall give to their testimony before the Commission. I would like to ask the judge-advocate if the witness examined yesterday had taken an oath? Nothing of the kind appears on the record.

The PRESIDENT. His being an attorney requires it. Every attorney is required to take the oath of allegiance to the United States.

General BUELL. It occurs to me to say a word in reference to the remarks of the judge-advocate in answer to mine, if it is not too late.

The PRESIDENT. Proceed, sir.

General BUELL. The question of General Tyler extends to matters which may not, perhaps, come within the constitution obligations of citizens of the United States. This question does not speak of lawful orders, it not only specifies the orders of the President, which may be

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Page 465 Chapter XXVIII. GENERAL REPORTS.