Today in History:

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

Page 201 Chapter XXVIII. GENERAL REPORTS.

Question. If Bragg had been hardly pursued would not the crossing of Dick's River have been a serious obstacle to him?

It would, I think; though he would have crossed a portion of his forces at the mouth of the river.

Question. Assuming that Kirby Smith had occupied and plundered Lexington and had abandoned it, what possible military inducement could Bragg, after the battle of Perryville, have had in moving on Lexington?

He could have had none, except the desire to hold Kentucky or draw his supplied from the surrounding country.

Question. General, did or did not the battle of Perryville make it almost a military necessity that Bragg's army should commence its retreat, coupled with the abandonment of Lexington and that part of Kentucky, and that the intention wa, if possible, to join the two armies and get out of Kentucky?

I thought so.

Question. We have heard of large trains of transportation, plunder, &c., which Bragg took out of Kentucky. What disposition did he make of those trains in the retreat and what was their position at the battle of Perryville, if you know?

I do not know what their position was at the battle of Perryville, but I believe they were assembled at Camp Dick Robinson, for we had heard before that they were assembling all their trains of transportation at Camp Dick Robinson; and after the retreat was decided upon these trains must have been sent in front, as we came across very few wagons on the road.

Question. Would you not consider it a very great military success for a small army, hampered with a large transportation train, retreating, to make its escape out of any country in the face of a superior army?

Yes; I should consider it a great military success.

Question. Is not the transportation train to an army a great hinderance to rapid military movement?

Yes.

Question. Were you encumbered by any of that kind of train except artillery in following up the enemy?

We were encumbered by the necessary subsistence train; nothing more.

Question. Where was Bragg's base of operations and supplies from the time he crossed the Tennessee River at Chattanooga or the vicinity?

I think he obtained his supplies from the country until he got to Bardstown; then he commenced collecting supplies from different points in Kentucky, with the intention of making a permanent depot at Camp Dick Robinson.

Question. What distance did Bragg march his army from the time he crossed the Tennessee River until he commenced what is now known to have been his retreat?

It was probably about 200 miles.

Question. During this whole march how did Bragg get his supplies?

I think he took ten days' supplies from Chattanooga; after that he drew his supplies from the country-Tennessee and Kentucky.

Question. What number of days did Bragg's military movement in Tennessee and Kentucky cover from the time he crossed the Tennessee River at Chattanooga until he was out of the reach of the army of General Buell beyond London?

I do not know precisely the date of his crossing the Tennessee River, but I suppose


Page 201 Chapter XXVIII. GENERAL REPORTS.