Published: July 11, 2008 01:19 pm            

In Your View — 07/13/08

Cannon ball not fired by Morgan

I read the July 8 story about the Civil War artifact found near Olive Hill.

I discussed this find with Shirley Buckler, and after weighing the facts, based on my research, it’s doubtful that the cannon ball came from one of John Hunt Morgan’s guns, as mentioned in the story, unless he planted it there on another occasion other than the burning of Olive Hill on Oct. 5, 1862.

Previous to this incident, John H. Morgan’s forces were following Union Gen. George Morgan and his army of 10,000 men, who were marching from Cumberland Gap to the Ohio River by the way of Hazel Green, West Liberty and Grayson. Beginning Sept. 22, John H. Morgan’s forces began harassing the federals by blocking the roads with trees and boulders and taking shots at the soldiers.

There are no facts to support the claim that John H. Morgan had any artillery with him during this time. The cannon ball in question came from a Model 1841 6 pounder smoothbore. Although fairly light and mobile compared to other artillery pieces, it still weighed in at a hefty 900 pounds and would have hindered the Confederates in their movements, which took place in rather rough terrain.

Additionally, it may be pointed out that the federals were not once under artillery fire during their 16-day march. The Confederates finally abandoned their pursuit of the federals on Oct. 1, 1862, and moved toward Olive Hill.

And last but not least, in defense of the “rebel” Morgan — he was a regular Confederate general, not a guerrilla, and in command of a cavalry brigade in Kirby Smith’s Army of East Tennessee during the time in question, although he did at times employ guerrilla tactics whenever he felt the occasion called for it.

Marlitta H. Perkins, 14th Kentucky Infantry (US) Regimental Historian



Democrats oppose more oil drilling

This is in regards to the July 7 story about Bruce Lunsford pumping gas in Grayson.

Unfortunately, many issues need to reach crisis status for our political system to take action when there are opposing interests and views. Energy supply is one of those issues.

The U.S. is the world’s largest energy consumer, and our economy is supported by cheap energy. Oil has now reached record levels which affects everyone’s pocketbook and threatens the national financial security.

The cause is simple: World demand is greater than the current world supply and speculation has added to short-term price increases.

The solution is also obvious: The U.S. must produce more oil and natural gas in the short term and move to other alternative fuels and improved fuel efficiency in the longer term.

Fortunately, the U.S. has an abundance of natural resources and technological capabilities to achieve these goals. At issue is removing the political barriers that prevent the solution to our energy crisis before it bankrupts the economy.

Sen. Mitch McConnell recently proposed a bill that would permit drilling for the nearly 19 billion barrels of oil off our nation’s coast. A CNN poll found 73 percent of Americans support the proposal, but Senate Democrats continue to work to defeat it. In fact, Democrats have opposed all efforts to expand domestic oil production, including opening ANWR.

Bruce Lunsford is more interested in following orders from Barack Obama and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid than listening to the voice of Americans. Not only does Lunsford oppose increased oil production, he also allies himself with enemies of Kentucky coal. Reid, whom Lunsford credits for recruiting him into the Senate race, recently said that coal makes him “sick.”

On the issues that matter, Lunsford doesn’t stand with Kentuckians.

Erin E. Eusner, Wurtland



Give Kentuckians jobs, not taxes

This letter is simple. How do we as people of Kentucky get this state reborn?

First, we must make all voters independent. No party names. The Democrats will have to work for each vote and cannot use force and threats to stay in office. It also would allow people to run for office without fear of being attacked or having their family harassed. The Democrats are doing a lot of damage to each of us. We need to break free of their ways.

Second, make Kentucky a right to work state. No more unions. Put Kentuckians back in charge.

Third, make all drug offenses a federal crime. No more state involvement. We deputize the police force and charge the federal government for each arrest and charge to recoup the time and money. We try each one in federal court.

Fourth, we send packing the illegal Mexicans in this state and use that tax money to fix our broken schools and help out the veterans and other folks.

We have a beast that needs to be slain in Frankfort. It’s called the Democrats. They have given unions and homosexuals special rights.

We have to halt the tax, tax, tax on the poor people. Stop the lottery and the school taxes that are not going to schools. We need honesty on taxes, like Ernie Fletcher gave us. Be honest with Kentucky folks and give us jobs, not taxes, and freedom, not slavery to taxes.

Gary S. Zornes, Grayson

        

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