Today in History:

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

Page 254 KY.,M. AND E. TENN.,N. ALA.,AND SW. VA. Chapter XXVIII.

ing that that portion which was on the other side the river consisted of cavalry, said to be 700 or 750.

Question. Was there any infantry with it in the beginning?

I think there was no infantry. This answer does not refer to that last day spoken of, but to their operations generally.

Question. Do you know who the commander was?

It was said to be Breckinridge.

Question. Do you know whether orders were given for fortifying positions occupied by bridge guards along the roads?

Yes, sir; I knew that such orders were given to fortify these positions by stockade or other means, and I am aware that it was generally done.

Question. What force do you think would have been necessary to keep open the communications between here and Louisville against cavalry operations of the enemy?

It ought to be stated the cavalry operations of the enemy could always count on the assistance of the inhabitants. There is good reason to believe that in each one of the outrages committed in this vicinity the citizens, acting temporarily as soldiers, were engaged in it. I do not know how less than from 15,000 to 20,000 men could have made the communications secure.

Question. Were the difficulties of less magnitude in defending the roads south of Nashville?

There were some physical features on the Louisville and Nashville road giving peculiar facilities to an enemy; otherwise the difficulties were the same in defending the roads south of this point.

Cross-examination by the JUDGE-ADVOCATE:

Question. What time do you say you arrived here.

On the 18th or 20th of July. I was in Louisville, and received one or two telegrams, and arrived on the 18th.

Question. What time after your arrival was communication cut off between Bowling Green and Nashville?

I think there was no communication within ten days after my arrival.

Question. Am I understand that there was a force of no magnitude or an organized force at al threatening Nashville and its communications while General Buell's army was in Tennessee?

No more than those forces of partisan leaders, Morgan and Forrest; there was no further organized force that I was cognizant of.

Question. Do you know that Morgan or Forrest was in the neighborhood of Nashville at that time?

The most precise information of the presence of Morgan refers to the time when General Johnson met him at Gallatin. This was about the middle of August. Previously to that I had no other information than a common report that sometimes Forrest's, sometimes Starnes' or Woodward's, or Morgan's forces were there, but I have no absolute knowledge of the presence of any one of them.

Question. While you were being alarmed or excited in Nashville by these reports did you not frequently hear of Morgan being in two places at the same time?

I have no doubt that rumors of his presence often were erroneous; but, strictly speaking, I cannot recall any instance in which I heard of his being in two places at the same time.

Question. Do you not know that these attacks upon railroads and lines of communication were made by the inhabitants and attributed to Morgan or Forrest as a cover for their rascality?

I have fair reasons to suppose that the citizens did sometimes commit these acts and


Page 254 KY.,M. AND E. TENN.,N. ALA.,AND SW. VA. Chapter XXVIII.