Today in History:

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

Page 137 Chapter XXVIII. GENERAL REPORTS.

In my opinion if General Gilbert had ordered the First Division to support General McCook at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, while we were halted within half to three-quartermasters of a mile of the engagement, the enemy would have been routed and driven from his position. He would have been utterly defeated had a single division been added to the strength already engaged. At the time my brigade was ordered forward and took its position on the right of Loomis' battery it was too late to render any important aid. It was nearly night. There were but a few rounds fired after I was in position. The battery of my brigade opened fire and continued to fire probably for twenty-five minutes, when the firing ceased all along the lines. My infantry were not engaged at all.

Question. How long was the Reserve Division halted at the last position it took near the battle-field, from which you were ordered to support General McCook.

I think about two hours and a half.

Question. What orders did you receive from General McCook on your arrival to this support?

I rode forward in advance of my brigade and found General McCook near Loomis' battery. He recognized me at once, and approaching me remarked that he had never been so glad to see in his life; asked me where my brigade was, and I told him it was immediately in my rear. I asked him to assign me a position. He left me hurriedly, with the remak, "You remain here for a short time and watch the front, and if you see anything going wrong the care of it." I think he said, "Give any order you think necessary in my name." He was retiring from me at that time, and said he, "I will return in a few minutes and give your orders." That was about twenty minutes past four; perhaps near half-past four. I never saw General McCook again until the fight was over. I remained there for some time. A very severe engagement was going on in front of the battery to the left, where I understood subsequently Lytle's brigade was engaged. I witnessed that, and saw the enemy advancing from the right. They had advanced near a deep ravine in front of the battery near to where a barn had been burned by our shells, and I remarked to our commissary, who was with me, that I could not wait any longer for General McCook; that the enemy were advancing and I must get my troops into position, as the battery was entirely exposed. It was not supported at all. There was no infantry on either side. When returning where I expected to find my brigade, as I had ordered it to halt in the rear of the battery at the school-house, I met the troops of my command in motion passing through a corn field. I rode rapidly up and inquired of Major Townsend, commanding the Eighteenth Infantry, who had ordered him to move; he said General McCook had passed the brigade, and ordered him to take a position with his regiment on the right of Loomis' battery. I moved the whole brigade on to the right of Loomis' battery, and got my artillery into position on the right of that battery and opened on the enemy's lines. I saw no more General McCook until after dark. I heard his voice on the right of the Eighteenth Infantry, conversing with some officers there of the Eighteenth Regulars and the Ninth Volunteers. He asked me to send one of my aides to find General Rousseau and ascertain for him the result of his command, as far as he was able to get it. I sent one of my aides, in accordance with his request, and he was captured by the enemy within their lines.

Question. State, if you know, who was the commander of the division of cavalry during the campaign which ended with the battle of Perryville and what number of regiments or squadrons composed the command.

I understood during the advance from Louisville that Captain Gay had command of all the cavalry attached to our corps; that is, the Third Corps, commanded by General Gilbert, but what regiments or the number comprising the command I do not know. I know little about the cavalry. I heard the colonel of one of the cavalry regiments which was assigned to the command of Captain Gay complaining of the course taken in assigning, Captain Gay to the command, and heard him remark that he would decline to receive commands from Captain Gay.

Question. Will you state that officer's name?

It was Colonel Milliken, of the First Ohio Cavalry.

Question. Did any irregularities arise from his exercising command over his superior in rank?

I am not aware of any arising from that reason.


Page 137 Chapter XXVIII. GENERAL REPORTS.