Today in History:

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

Page 250 KY., M. AND E. TENN., N. ALA., AND SW. VA.

[CHAP. XXVIII.

knowledge, made so by the destruction of the bridges and the filling up of the tunnels by the rebels.

Question. Do you know how long it had been in that condition?

I could not state the exact time. I heard when I was at Stevenson that the road was destroyed before I started to come here.

Question. Do you know anything of the condition of the Edgefield and Kentucky road at that time?

I understood, sir, that was perfectly destroyed. With respect to that road I should say it was hardly competent to supply the army, on account of its heavy grades.

Question. Do you know anything of the Cumberland River as a means of transportation at that time?

My knowledge of the river now is that it was useless at that time, as it now is.

Question. Did you perform any work on the march to Louisville and from Louisville toward Bardstown; and state, if you please, what?

Yes, sir; we rebuilt the pontoon bridge at Barren River on our way up; also planked the railroad bridge for transportation troops over. We also did some work on the fortifications at Bowling Green; made platforms for ten guns. We rebuilt the bridge on the march from Louisville to Bardstown across what is called Floyd's Fork, and got out a large part of the timber for the bridge across Salt River. We may have done other little pieces of work, such as repairing roads, but none of any great consequence.

Question. Was the army on its march from Louisville depending on wagon transportation?

Entirely so.

Cross-examination by the JUDGE-ADVOCATE:

Question. Was the railroad from McMinnville to Tullahoma and from thence to Nashville in running order on the 22nd of August, 1862?

If so, it must have been just completed and that was all, for I find I was ordered by telegraph to go to McMinnville and put the road in immediate order. I also had a personal interview with General Buell at that time.

Question. What was the date of that order and when did you have that personal interview?

It was Tuesday, August 19.

Question. How soon thereafter can you say positively that road was in working order; that is, the two roads from Nashville to Tullahoma and from Tullahoma to McMinnville?

As far as the road from Tullahoma to McMinnville is concerned, I do not know when that was from my personal knowledge, though I heard on my way there that the road was in order on the 23d.

Question. What bridges were destroyed between Nashville and Bowling Green at that time?

Therman, Cave Creek, Saundersville Trestle, Pilot Knob Bridge, Alexander Creek, and two other bridges between there and Gallatin and two small bridges having no name.

Question. What time did it take you to repair those bridges?

We were about fourteen days.

Question. How long has it taken to open that tunnel that was destroyed?

I cannot say of my own knowledge. It was under the charge of General Steedman. It was some ten days after those other bridges were built and longer than it took us to rebuild those bridges.


Page 250 KY., M. AND E. TENN., N. ALA., AND SW. VA.