The National tribune., 1911-02-16
HOW GEN. MccooK DIED!
Comrades Dispute the Assertions Made
by +. b. Gur,ey and Members Of His

Comrades Dispute the Assertions Made
by F. b. Guriey and Members 81 His
Band. lis
In The National Tribune of Dec 20.
1910, was published an account fef the
shooting of Gen. Robert L. McCook.
according to Frank B. Ghrley and 9TH
ers, who claim that he tGurley) was a
duly commissioned Captain in the. Con-
federate service and not "a guerrilla.
Many comrades dispute this, and say
that Gurley. who does not deny that he
fired the fatal shot, was a guerrilla.
What the Ohio Boys Say.
EF Kiser, President, 9Th Ohio AS
ISOLATION. 10 Green street, Cincinnati,
o., writes:
1.-THE article from F. B. Gurley is far
from the truth. Some months ago the
9th Ohio Association received similar
statements, and appointed committee
to investigate, with the following re-
suits:
I'm his letter Frank B. Gurley
claims that he received a commission
as Captain from the proper authorities,
and states: 81 got few other sick SOL
diers and little boys together to oper-
ate inside the Federal lines"
ct is taken for granted sick SOL
boys cannot be held responsible for
their acts. 1t is self-evident by such
admission that Gurley was a BUSH
whacker or guerrilla. The Confeder-
ate Government certainly never gave
Gurley commission to enlist sick SOL
diers and little boys" to operate in
side the Federal lines
The drove of cattle Gurley speaks
of was driven thru fully "a hours ahead
of the passing of the brigade, and as
Gurley and his men were at home in
his locality no doubt he was informed
the coming of the Federal soldiers
the farmers with whom he was per-
pally acquainted.
Not Shot Fired.
both sides commenced firing"
says Gurley. Not a shot YVES fired by
our side at this time,> for the attack
was an unexpected one, and the men
who accompanied McCook had laid
their arms in the staff supply wagon
that followed the ambulance In which
McCook was riding. Mr.. Jacob Aug. the
suffers clerk-.nOt a soldier and hav-
ing no arms-was near the ambulance,
riding a very tall mule, and also four
or five musicians. who never carry guns.
One of them, Ernest Meinhardt, re-
ceived a saber cut in the head.
"'When our brigade came up closer
and ascertained what had taken place.
they followed the enemy and fired Mt
them. DR.. Beatty's house, in which
McCook died, was unframed when the
9th Ohio left that locality the follow
ing day. Following troops or an indi-
vidual set fire to the house, and it was
destroyed.
"'Gurley says: THE General was not
sick, but was in command of his bri-
gade, and riding, not in an ambulance,
but in supply wagon" How can Cur
ley prove such an absurdity? McCooi
was sick. and Col. Fred lVanderveer, of
the 35th Ohio, was in command of the
brigade, as the records will verify. The
35th Ohio was in the lead; followed by
the I'd MINI. ana the 9Th Ohio. 81 Then
eral, the supply wagon rand the other
regimentai teams. H. afic
How McCoOk Got Shot. y
1.-The road forked and Col. Wander
veer made mistake and took the road
10 the left. When McCohk reached this
point he noticed the error and sent
word 10 Vanderveer. In tilis way the
9th Ohio got the advance, and McCook,
with guards and muzicians, got at the
head of the~eolumn. Soon after Shots
were heard, and some of the guard fell
back, pursued by men on horseback.
Then we opened fire. When we reached
distance of about a mile. the enemy
had dispersed. McCook was carried to
Dr. Beattys house, where he died the
following day, Aug. 6. 1862
This statement was approved by c.
w II. Luebbert, Michael Lorentz, Jos.
Piesche, VIM. Dublmeier, Frank e.
Kaiser. Albert Booklet. Fred Wendell,
Albin Stecher and Gerhard Ferber.
members Of the 9th Ohio"