New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-05-14
THE VARREN COURT OF INQUIRY.

BRIDGE-BUILDING BEFORE THE BATTLE
TESTIMONY OF MAJOR w. II. H. BENYAURD-wHAT
HE SAW AND DID BEFORE FIVE FORKS.
At the opening of the Warren Court of In
oniry at Governors Island yesterday morning, Major
W. H. H. Benyaurd Corps of Engineers. at present Stat
toned at Memphis, Tenn was call to the stand III
March, 1865 he ranked Lieutenant and served on the
staff of General George c. Meade On March %, he was
temporarily detached to with General Warren In
reny To ouestlous Major Benyaurd testified that on the
night of March 81 he awakened FROM sleep and sent
by General Warren, with Captain WadswOrth 10 SEQ
about a bridge over the Gravey Run at the Boydton
pauk road He described at length the condition OF the
stream and told about building the bridge Major Ben
yaurd also testified about his movements on April 1, In
connection with the MANAGEMENT OF the forces
"wIll you say" asked Mr. stckney, whether or not
in your opuion General AyreSs march up and tho for
nation were made as quickly as p0ssiOlef"
Major Gardner objected to the question, on the grounds
tn # IL was proper only 10 place facts before the Court
ior them to form opinion as experts Mr.. Stckney
replied that it no longer possible to reproduce
exactly the condition OF affairs then existing, and
thnt the only way of arriving at the truth was by
getting the opinions of competent persons. The Court
decided the question to DO proper aud the witness said
the movement was executed quickly us It could have
been done-consderng the condition of the roads and
the condition of the men, who had marched oil night
and fought in the previous two days. Major Benyaurd
for the coming engagement, aud testified to General
Warren's position and the movements Of troops sub
stantally as other witnesses have done. General
Warren he continued in the rear OF the right Of
Ayress division until 1t crossed the White Oak road and
the firing began He then sent the witness to General
Winthrop, to inform him how to face his brigadc- to
keep the sun as nearly possible in his face. VIII
hrop's brigade then went in Ayress extreme left.
Benyaurd went back to General Warren, and In short
while we're sent after General Crawford.
GLOW long after Crawford crossed the White Oak
road was 1t sou were sent after him Z"
at might have been half an hour"
What was the character OF the country there 7"
"I should call 1t woody, with some cearings."
GLOW long did it take you to get from General Warren
to General Crawford -
4" About half an hour"
''What the distance ~
" 4 milo or mile ana half"
"You went as quickly as you couldp
Then 1t took YOU, a single mounted man, half an
hour to riue one mile In that locality"
Major Benyaurd was cross examined by Major Gard
ner and questioned minute detail respecting the sit-
uatiOn OF General warens headquarters on March 81
and tho time 1t took for him to build the bridge. In
T npprar cd to- say that Gragey Run was not
iordable at the old bridge; that he saw no wagon
de Of the canssWay was ditch flied With water
that he made the distance from j. Basseaua honse to
that he knew nothing of General sheridan's orders.
Other questions asked Major Benyaurd of similar
import to those asked by Mr. sickney and his replies
were in subs the Same az before given In refcr,
removal of General Warren, the witness said
tat Captain Allen brought the order, and told him that
Warren was removed, at the same time asking where
Warren and Griffin Major Benyaurd told him
where Warren was, and pointed ont Grlfin's head
quarters dag fiying IN an opening north OF the Ford
Road. Major Bcyaurd was then questioned by General
Hancock with reference to the particular situation OF
troops as mentioned by him, 10 tho condition OF roads,
and forth and asked to mark on the map certain
points referred to i'll his testimony.
Tue in1uiry Ia to be thorough and in addition to n
large number Of Federal officers who are yet TO be
called Generals Fitzhuch Lee aud W. II. f. Lee. Of the
Confederate Army, will he summoned as witnesses.