Today in History:

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

Page 600 KY.,M. AND E. TENN.,N. ALA.,AND SW. VA. Chapter XXVIII.

CINCINNATI, March 18, 1863.

To the Commission:

I desire that Mr. James Collier, of Nashville, Tenn., may be summoned before the Commission as a witness. I expect to prove by this witness that Brigadier-General Schoepf said in Louisville, soon after the battle of Perryville, that I was a traitor and had sold out my army; that he had begged me with tears to permit him to re-enforce Major-General McCook in the battle of the 8th, and that I had refused him, or words to that effect.

What I had already stated in a previous communication to the Commission in regard to the testimony of other witness whose presence I have requested will explain the object of the testimony of this witness also. It is first to throw light on the subject introduced by the judge-advocate of the alleged dissatisfaction in my army, and second to show the frame of mind which, so far as Brigadier-General Schoepf is concerned, was to shape this investigation and pronounce judgment on my official acts.

I desire also that J. M. Lawrence and David Hawkins, of Lexington, Ky., may be summoned to appear as witnesses. I expect by their testimony to multiply the evidence I have already introduced as to the strength of Kirby Smith's forces while they were in Central Kentucky. I desire also the attendance of Mr. Cosby, from the Fair Ground, Danville, Ky., by whom I expect to show that the retreat of the rebel army by way of Crab Orchard and Cumberland Gap was of sudden determination and contrary to the plans of its commander.

D. C. BUELL,

Major-General.

BURNEY HOUSE, March 19, 1863.

Lieutenant Colonel DONN PIATT,

Judge-Advocate, &c.:

SIR: On the 10th instant, in accordance with a rule recently established by the Commission requiring a statement of the object of calling other witnesses whom I might desire, I gave in a communication to the Commission my reasons for calling two more witnesses. They are Brigadier General Speed S. Fry and Surgeon Strew. I request that they may be summoned. They are somewhere in Kentucky, and the general in command at Louisville will probably know where they are to be found.

You have the names of the following witnesses who have not yet appeared, besides those named to you yesterday; you will, of course, take steps to have them here whenever the Commission is ready to resume business: W. S. Downey, Lexington, Ky.; Richard S. Anderson (not Richard C. Anderson, who was summoned and is a different person), Lexington, Ky.;

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Yates, Lexington, Ky., W. G. Bruce, Lexington, Ky. Lieutenant-Colonel Darr is at Glendale, near this city. You are aware that Captain Bingham and other witnesses from Nashville have not appeared.

Out of regard for General Lytle's anxiety to return to the army I am disposed to take his evidence by affidavit.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

D. C. BUELL,

Major-General.

General TYLER. I move that the judge-advocate be directed not to call Mr. Collier, on the ground that we do not require more evidence as to the words said to have been spoken by General Schoepf.

The motion being put to vote, it was unanimously carried.

General DANA. I move that in reply to the communications of General Buell of the 8th and 19th instant the judge-advocate be directed to reply as follows:

That the Commission declines to call James Collier, for the reason that General Schoepf has been relieved from duty on this court; it also declines to call J. M. Lawrence and David Hawkins, for the reason that the Commission is satisfied by the evidence of witnesses already examined as to the strength of Kirby Smith's forces and does not intend to controvert it. The Commission also declines to call Mr. Cosby, for the reason that it will admit that he will testify to the fact as stated by General Buell and will consider it as sworn to by him. It also declines to call General Fry and Surgeon Strew, for the reason that the points on which their evidence is required are not stated.

Carried unanimously.


Page 600 KY.,M. AND E. TENN.,N. ALA.,AND SW. VA. Chapter XXVIII.