Today in History:

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

Page 237 Chapter XXVIII. GENERAL REPORTS.

Question. Can you say, colonel, from you knowledge of the ground, how far you were in the afternoon from General McCook's corps?

I could see the troops that were engaged with him off to our left; I should think it was about a mile; but I never rode over the ground, and it is only by looking from one point to another that I form this judgment.

Question. What did the movement of troops and firing that afternoon indicate to you?

Very little, if anything, of a fight, and it was remarkable and perfectly astounding to me and many other officers when we heard that there had been a great fight and there was heard so little firing; that was a common remark of the officers. Four miles before I arrived in the rear of the line of battle General Wood ordered me forward as fast as possible; to leave all transportation. He said it was reported that a fight was going on. He and I rode up the road till we got within 2 miles of Perryville he frequently remarking, "How is it possible that there is a fight going on when we can scarcely hear firing at all?"

Question. How was that firing after you arrived there?

After I arrived in line for some time my own firing drowned that of everything else. I have no distinct recollection about the firing after that. But when I was within a mile of General Gilbert's corps I scarcely heard any firing worth talking about. I thought there was a skirmishing going on, but did not think there was a battle raging.

Question. About what time of day was it that General Wood ordered you hurriedly forward?

It was about 1 o'clock.

Question. Was the information you obtained given to your superior officers?

I made my report from time to time to General Wood, my division commander. All the time from daylight or soon after daylight there was quite a dust upon the Harrodsburg road, the road leading from Perryville to Harrodsburg, as though there was a movement of troops taking place. The road was hidden from view by timber. I supposed this to be the retiring of troops.

Question. How late in the day did you observe this, colonel?

That was about two hours after daylight. It went on at the same time that the movement took place on the Danville road, and continued, I should say, till about 8 o'clock.

Question. You say you were not engaged in the contest that day but slightly?

My brigade was engaged in Wood's division the first day.

Question. Do you know what time the corps to which you belonged advanced that morning?

I think the command began to move at about 7 and left about 9. Two divisions preceded me; two brigades followed me. This refers to the march from camp on the morning of the 8th.

Question. Do you know at what time your corps advanced toward the position of the enemy on the morning of the 9th?

I do not know the exact time, but can tell pretty nearly from certain facts. At about 9 to 9.30 o'clock, my brigade being at that time near the town of Perryville, with no enemy in view, I received an order to report to the rear of General Crittenden's corps. The explanation was that General Crittenden was going to advance upon the town of Perryville with his corps. General Wood's division, of which my brigade was a part, was to form a reserve in that advance. I pointed down to the town and told the aide-de-camp who brought the order that I had possession of it from about sunup, and that there had not been a rebel it, at least in sight, for an hour, and the last I saw of the enemy's cavalry they were retiring from the front of General Smith. At that time they were entirely out of sight, and I could see from the town in the direction of their retiring at least a mile.


Page 237 Chapter XXVIII. GENERAL REPORTS.