Today in History:

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

Page 187 Chapter XXVIII. GENERAL REPORTS.

could be found, and it was understood that I should return to the same place on the morning of the 9th. After the troops commenced moving I could easily have been found by any one, as I was on the road al the time from the position the troops occupied in the morning until they reached the camp near Perryville, where they encamped that night.

Question. General, from the habits of the sub-commanders under your orders is it at all likely that any one of them on the morning of the 9th made any reports to the headquarters of the army which were not made through your headquarters?

I do not think they would have done it. They usually reported through me. I am not aware of an instance of their having reported direct to headquarters.

Question. On the morning of the 9th did you hear of any baggage trains of the enemy being seen in retreat?

I do not remember any such report being made.

Question. On the night of the 8th, after the battle was ended, what was your belief as to the relative condition of the two armies as affected by the work of the day?

They only information I received was after reaching headquarters (General Buell's) on the night of the 8th, that is, regarding the battle on the left, and the impression made on my mind then was that General McCook's corps had been very much cut up and could do but little fighting the next day, but General Gillbert's corps and the right wing were in as good condition as before the battle. I believed from what I had heard that the rebel army would resist us the next day; that they considered they had achieved a victory on the left and would resist us the next day.

Question. At what time on the day of the 8th did you become aware that the left wing was engaged with the enemy?

I did not know that a battle had been fought on the left until after night-fall, when as I was riding to my tent, Lieutenant Fitzhugh, of General Buell's staff, over took me and told me. This must have been about 7 o'clock.

Question. Did you hear any firing on that day; and, if so, what was the character of it?

I heard cannonading about the time that the head or Crittenden's corps reached the position it was to take up, and I directed Captain Mack, my chief of artillery, to report to General buell that I had arrived in position and with the head of the column, and would superintend the placing of troops in position, and requested the general to send me any orders by Captain Mack. Captain Mack returned about 12, with a plan of the ground and directions from the general to dispose the troops in a certain manner preparatory to an attack the next morning at Perryville; but the arrangement was not positive; it left the arrangement of the troops somewhat to my discretion of I thought it was necessary, I asked captain Mack if he knew what that firing was we heard on the left in front; his reply was that the report came to headquarters that it was Captain Gay, chief of cavalry, reconnoitering, and the enemy were firing upon him with artillery. About 3 o'clock in the afternoon I again heard very heavy cannonading, and directed General Gilbert replied to General Crittenden by a short note, stating that he had met with some little resistance himself, but was then camping his troops for the night; that General Rousseau had been engaged - I think he said had been driven back slightly, but had regained his ground. The firing continued at intervals form about half past two till about an hour of sundown, but I am not positive.

Question. Would such firing as that which you describe proceed from the resistance of a reconnaissance?

I do not think so; and for that reason I sent to General Gilbert to know why there was such firing.

Question. Taking into consideration the relative distance of yours and General Buell's headquarters from the scene of this conflict and the direction of the wind, would the sound of artillery or small-arms be more readily heard at General Buell's headquarters than at yours?


Page 187 Chapter XXVIII. GENERAL REPORTS.