Today in History:

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

Page 132 KY.,M. AND E.TENN.,N.ALA., AND SW.VA. Chapter XXVIII.

Question. You can state, if you know, whether Munfordville is a strong position or not.

I have never examined the position occupied by the troops there. I never was at the fortifications and know but little about them. I simply crossed the river with my command.

Question. Did not the estimate made of Bragg's army of 30,000 or 35,000 come to be a certainty after you left Munfordville in the opinion of the officers?

I think the opinion was so strong that it became a conviction, but I am not prepared to say it was a certainty.

Question. Was it not the general opinion among the officers that the enemy would make a stand at Munfordville?

There was a diversity of opinion among the officers on that subject. Some were of the opinion that the enemy were in force at Munfordville and intended to stand, while others thought they were merely checking us with a small force of cavalry and artillery to enable them to get into the heart of Kentucky to secure supplies.

Question. Were you present at the battle of Perryville? If, so without giving us a detailed account of that battle, state where your position was.

I was present on the field at the close of the action and was near the battle with my command when it commenced. I was on the Springfield and Perryville road, encamped within 3 miles of the battle-field the night previous, and was ordered to move up about the time the firing commenced. I moved up on the Springfield and Perryville road to a point within three-fourths of a mile from the right of Rousseau's division, where my command was halted for a considerable length of time, within sound of the artillery and musketry; and at about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, but having no time-piece cannot state positively as to the hour, General Schoepf, who was in command of the First Division, sent me an order to move up with my brigade, and while moving he informed me that he had received orders to send two brigade to the support of General McCook, and that he had designated the Second and Third Brigades, commanded by General Fry and myself, and ordered me immediately forward. I moved up under his orders as quickly as possible; found General McCook standing by Loomis' battery; reported to him in person; got my brigade into position on the right of that battery, which was on the extreme right of Rousseau's division; took position between Rousseau's division and General Sheridan's. Fry's brigade, as I understood subsequently, was ordered back. The officer and men of the First Division during the firing in front and while they were halted in sound of it were very anxious to go forward. Whey they not go forward at an earlier hour I am unable to say. We were perhaps two hours occupying the last position the division was ordered to occupy, perhaps longer.

Question. How far back upon the Springfield pike were you at the commencement of that fight?

Perhaps 3 miles. I have a more distinct recollection of the camp than I have of the distance. It was a hard place to get water. The only water there General Gilbert kept for his own use, his staff, and escort, while the soldiers were perishing for it. He had a guard over it and would not let them have a drink.

Question. Could you hear the sound of firing at that point you designated 3 miles back?

Very distinctly the sound of artillery, but could not hear the musketry.

Question. Did the firing indicate a severe engagement?

I did not suppose there was a severe engagement till we advanced from that camp up the position from which I have already stated my brigade was ordered forward to the support of General McCook's troops. While we were halted there the officers of the division generally were satisfied that there a severe engagement going on in front.

Question. Do you know at what point Kirby Smith's army made a junction with Bragg's after that engagement?


Page 132 KY.,M. AND E.TENN.,N.ALA., AND SW.VA. Chapter XXVIII.