Today in History:

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

Page 251 Chapter XXVIII. GENERAL REPORTS.

Question. Where is that tunnel?

It is about 7 miles from Gallatin.

Question. What sort of a road is there around this tunnel?

Very bad indeed; impracticable for teams.

Question. How long would it require to make it practicable?

You could not do it, on account of the elevation to be overcome.

Question. What time did you arrive in Nashville?

From the 23rd to the 25th of August.

By General BUELL:

Question. How long has it taken to put this road in order since the return of the army to Tennessee?

I think about thirty days.

Question. What force do you suppose has been employed on it or present along it during that time?

I think that between Gallatin and this point, on our way back to repair the bridges, there were four brigades besides General Wood's force; that I understood was in the vicinity of Gallatin. These were all the troops I had knowledge of, but I never went off the railroad and therefore had no means of knowing.

by General TYLER:

Question. Was the railroad from Corinth to Stevenson after its repair of any practicable use to General Buell's army in the transportation of provisions and men?

I think not, sir. There was great complaint that we could get neither men nor provisions over the road.

Question. And why not?

Because I think the road was not well managed.

Question. You spoke of some road with heavy grade that was of no use.

The Edgefield and Kentucky road.

Question. Why do heavy grades make a road useless?

Because of its requiring greater motive-power to transport the same amount of tonnage.

Question. What do you suppose would be the requirement for the daily transportation (in tons) for an army of 50,000 men?

I could not say, sir, without calculation. It would depend entirely upon the amount of transportation allowed to each regiment, and the amount of forage depending upon the number of horses they had.

Question. What was the capacity of this road; what would an engine of 25 tons carry?

Over that grade three or four cars would be considered a load for a 25-ton engine.

Question. Is the grade uniform over the entire road, so that a 25-ton engine will take only three cars?

No sir; there are portions of the road where a larger train than that could be taken; probably ten or twelve cars.

Question. What is the maximum grade per mile on that road?

I understand, going over the mountain, the grade is over 200 feet to the mile.

Question. Do you mean to say that a 25-ton engine would not take more than three loaded cars over a grade of 200 feet to the mile, supposing the grade did not extend over one mile?

I think, sir, if the track was wet it would be about as much as a 25-ton engine could do.


Page 251 Chapter XXVIII. GENERAL REPORTS.