Today in History:

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

Page 230 KY., M. AND E. TENN., N. ALA., AND SW. VA.

[CHAP. XXVIII.

Question. Do you know of their having selected a battle ground at Harrodsburg?

I heard such a thing, but the fact of their abandonment shows very conclusively to my mind that they did not consider the place tenable against an army.

Question. Which army suffered most in the battle of Perryville do you think?

From the best information I could get and from an examination of the matter the suffering was almost equal.

Question. Have you ever heard the enemy's loss estimated at 4,000 and upward in that fight?

I have seen it stated that it is about equal to ours. I heard various rumors as to the numbers killed, wounded, and missing on both sides, and they all seemed to corroborate the statement that the sufferings of the two armies were about equal.

Question. Do you know when the rebel army commenced their retreat from Camp Dick Robinson?

Not exactly, save from what citizens told us. They were leaving there for some two or three days. From accounts I received I understood they commenced leaving there about the 10th or 11th of October.

Question. How far was our army, or a large portion of it, from Danville on the 10th of October?

It is estimated at 5 miles by the pike.

Question. What extent of ground, in miles, would the army we had at Perryville occupy?

Judging from what I was told by those who were on the extreme right and left of our army and my knowledge of the ground it must have extended over the space of 8 to 10 miles; perhaps farther. I speak of the ground over which the enemy would have extended on the day of the battle.

Question. What extent of ground would necessarily have been required for it in camp?

If the ground were level the army could be encamped, I suppose, in a space of half that length. If the ground were rough and uneven it would have occupied more space.

Question. Suppose it had been known that the enemy had designed to retreat by the way of Crab Orchard and that before he could do that our army was placed across his route, what course could he have pursued?

He might possibly have pursued the course of Kentucky River Bridge. I do not know of any other way he could have got out of Camp Dick Robinson. I stated this morning that there was only one way to get out of Camp Dick Robinson, and that way was left open. He could, as I have stated, have succeeded in getting across the Kentucky River Bridge, unless pursued too hotly.

Commission adjourned to meet December 23, 1862, at 10 o'clock a.m.

NASHVILLE, Tuesday Morning, December 23, 1862.

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

General FRY'S cross-examination continued.

By General BUELL:

Question. Who were the principal movers in the meeting which had


Page 230 KY., M. AND E. TENN., N. ALA., AND SW. VA.