L. H. Pelouze to William D. Wallach, A Witness, May 24, 1862

Opposite Frederickaburg, Va., May 24, 1862.

Brig. Gen. JoserPH R. ANDERSON, Commanding near Massaponas :

GENERAL: I have just received the following from the Secretary of War: , ‘‘You may answer that Generals Buckner and Tilghman are not confined in dungeons. I have directed a specific report to be made as to how they are confined, which when received will be transmitted to you.”

I have only to add that when that report shall be received I will lose no time in

oumtuuiciny, with you Seetn on the a ae Satin :

h the honor to be, very respectfu our obedient servan

sae i ial daa st IRVIN McDOWEL1, Major-General, Commanding.

* Not reprinted in appendix. 4B B—VOL Xil

The witness continued :

That is all the correspondence I am aware of that took place between General MoDowell and the Confederate commanders.

Question by the CouRT. Do you know, or have you reason to suspect that any correspondence of any kind was held by General McDowe with the enemy while you were on his staff not included in that which has just been produced by you ?

Answer. I know of none and have no reason to suspect that any existed.

1. Question by the CouRT. Can you state when you entered on the duties of chief of staff of General McDowell ?

Answer. General McDowell issued an order on the 28th March, 1862, announcing me as chief of staff—I think between the 10th and 28th March, 1862.

2. Question by the CouRT. When was the record of the letters in the letter-book of General McDowell made with reference to their date?

Answer. Sometimes letters are recorded at their date, sometimes days after. I cannot answer about those particular letters, whether they were recorded immediately or not.

3. Question by the Court. In respect to the receipt of open letters from the enemy’s lines and distributed through the mayor of Fredericksburg, state whether such practice was according to the usages of war.

Answer. I do not know the usages of war on that subject, but I have heard that commanders in our Army in this contest have sent open letters to their address.

4, Question by the CouRT. By whom were the letters received from or forwarded to parties within the enemy’s lines examined ?

Answer. By General McDowell or some of his staff.

5. Question by the CouRT. Was any record made of such letters; and, if so, what?

Answer. I am not aware of any.

Col. JOSEPH TAYLOR, commissary-general of subsistence, was duly sworn.

Question by General MCDOWELL. Were you acquainted with the late Robert E. Scott, of Fauquier County, Virginia? If so, state what character he bore, whether a Union man or secessionist, where he lived, how he died, and in what place he left his family.

Answer. I knew Mr. Robert Scott intimately for years. I regarded him as a Union man, and have talked with him frequently on that subject. He was residing about 5 miles from Warrenton, Fauquier County, Virginia. Ido not know when or where

be vee killed. I have seen letters from family dated at the homestead since his eata. “-

The court had no questions to ask this witness. Colonel Schriver, the first witness before the court, stated that since giving his testimony certain other matters had been recalled to memory whieh should form part of the testiinony required from him. Colonel Schriver was requested to have the same putin form for reception by the court tomorrow.

The court adjourned to meet to-morrow, 29th November, 1862,

Cuar. XXIV.) GENERAL REPORTS. 51 EIGHTH DAY.

CourtT-Room Washington, D. 0., November 29, 1862. * * a »

The recorder stated that, in compliance with the instructions of the ry he addressed a communication to the Headquarters of the Army, as follows:

CourT-Room, 467 SoutTH FOURTEENTH STREET, Washington, D. C., November 28, 1862. ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL, Headquarters of the Army, Washiagton, D. C.:

COLONEL: I am instructed by the court of inquiry convened pursuant to Special Orders, No. 350, current series, from the Headquarters of the Army, to request that the following official records be furnished for examination by the court:

1st. Those pertaining to the division of the Army of the Potomac, commanded by General McDowell, from 24th August, 1861, to the 13th March, 1862.

2d. Those pertaining to the First Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, commanded by General McDowell, from 13th March, 1862, till the 4th of April, 1862.

3d. Those pertaining to the Department of the Rappahannock, commanded by General Dowell, from 4th April, 1862, till 26th June, 1862.

4th. Those pertaining to the Third Army Corps, Army of Virginia, commanded by General McDowell, from 26th June, 1862, to the 6th September, 1862.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Lieutenant-Colonel and Recorder.
Mr. WILLIAM D. WALLACH, a witness, was duly sworn.
Question by General MCDOWELL. Did you know Robert E. Scott, of
Fauquier County, Virginia? If so, state what was his character,
Union man or secessionist, the manner of his death, and the place (exposed or otherwise) in which his widow was left at his death.
Answer. I did know Robert E. Scott for between thirty and forty years before he
was killed. He was universally regarded, not only as a gentleman of high personal