Today in History:

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

Page 167 Chapter XXVIII. GENERAL REPORTS.

sion seemed to prevail, so far as I had any means of arriving at a knowledge of it, that there would be fighting on the following day.

Question. Was it the expectation that there would be a battle be tween the two armies?

The impression prevailed among all persons with whom I received an order was communicated to me from General Crittenden, who commanded the corps that I was attached to, with an intimation that a subsequent order would be given for the movement. This statement is made to show that I did not get my orders from the general commanding the army, and hence do not know what orders he issued himself. I did, however, receive a message by one of my aids from General Buell to be prepared for work on the following day, from which I understood that we would have a battle and severe fighting the following say, and I made all my preparations accordingly.

Commission adjourned to meet December 17, at 10 o'clock a. m.

NASHVILLE, Wednesday, December 17, 1862.

Commission met pursuant to adjournment. All the members present; also the judge-advocate and General Buell.

General WOOD'S examination continued.

Redirect examination by the JUDGE-ADVOCATE:

Question. Do you know that Bragg's army depended for supplies upon the country through which it passed?

I cannot say that I know it of my own knowledge. I always understood that a considerable part of the supplies use d by Bragg's army was drawn from the country through which it passed. I also understood that a great many supplies were collected at Chattanooga, and these we heard were taken along with him. It was understood that a considerable part of his dependence was upon the country through which he passed. I cannot say that I have any positive knowledge of this, as I was not exactly with Bragg's army nor behind until after he got into Kentucky some distance.

Question. What, in view of his dependence for supplies, would have been the consequence of a check to Bragg's army?

In my opinion in would gave depended to a considerable extent upon the check he might have received. It would perhaps have compelled him to hazard everything on the cost of a battle, with a view of getting us out of his way entirely. On the other hand, it might have compelled him to change his line of operations very much farther to the eastward, which of course would have delayed his movements to a considerable extent, or possibly it might have compelled him to give up his intention of invading Kentucky and to abandon the enterprise. This of course would depend in a great measure upon his ability to get supplies independent of the country through which he passed by carrying them with him.

Question. Had General Buell made a stand in the mountains, which army would have had the advantage in the matter of supplies, on e drawing from McMinnville and Nashville and the other from Chattanooga?

Of course my answer bill be entirely a matter of opinion, and as I have already said in former answers that I had no personal knowledge of the nature of the roads on the southeastern slope of the mountains across the Sequatchie Valley and over Walden's Ridge, I cannot give a very positive opinion; nevertheless, I should think that with the aid of railroad facilities (although we were much annoyed and threatened) and with the understanding that our army is better equipped in the matter of transportation than the rebel army, we would have had the advantage in drawing supplies.


Page 167 Chapter XXVIII. GENERAL REPORTS.