Today in History:

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

Page 103 Chapter XXVIII. GENERAL REPORTS.

Question. Did he give any for that belief?

He did not.

Question. Do you know now or did you know at the time the direction taken by the enemy after that fight? Do you know any reasons for the enemy's taking the route to Harrodsburg instead of falling back on Danville?

The matter is very simple. They were moving back to form a junction with Kirby Smith's force.

By General TYLER:

Question. Did Kirby Smith come to Harrodsburg to join them with his whole force?

Yes, sir.

By the JUDGE-ADVOCATE:

Question. Can you give any reason for the delay that occurred after that fight in pursuing the enemy?

No reason whatever. I believe they should have been vigorously pursued next morning at daylight. I will state that my troops, who had fought all day without water, could have occupied the part of a reserve very well; better soldiers I never saw.

Question. Had you pushed across to Danville instead of following the enemy around by Harrodsburg what would have been the effect?

That the retreat would have been cut off. It might possibly have driven the enemy toward Louisville.

By General TYLER:

Question. They would have had to fight a battle?

Yes, sir.

By the JUDGE-ADVOCATE:

Question. You stated in your evidence that General Buell's plan of defeating the enemy when they first crossed the Tennessee was defeated by a lack of commissary stores?

That is my impression. The railroad was certainly cut.

Question. Were not the provisions you had on hand sufficient to justify an attack there, as to following the enemy all the way from Louisville?

No,sir; they were not. At Bowling Green we had a million of rations. That amount of rations would not have been sufficient.

By GENERAL TYLER:

Question. How many days' rations had you?

The amount of provisions, I think, was equal to twenty days.

Question. Did the country furnish nothing to collect?

But little; cattle and green corn, but the corn was all quite hard, and our supply of salt was short.

Question. You stated in your examination that General Buell sent your orders that if you had to retreat to retreat on the line toward his headquarters?

Yes; to fall back from the Chaplin Hills.

Question. Did he explain to you any reason for retreating in that direction?

No, sir; it was the only one left. I should have exposed my plan to the enemy by any other.


Page 103 Chapter XXVIII. GENERAL REPORTS.