Today in History:

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

Page 268 KY.,M. AND E. TENN.,N. ALA.,AND SW. VA. Chapter XXVIII.

Question. State, if you please, what the operations of the enemy were in your vicinity during that period, and, as well as you can, what forces he employed and with what effect.

Our troubles commenced here about the 8th of July, when the communication between here and Louisville was threatened. The enemy menaced the force at Bowling Green about that time, under John Morgan; perhaps 1,500 strong were reported near Bowling Green. I sent up fifteen companies of infantry and a section of artillery from this place, which, with the troops sent by General Boyle, drove off the enemy and saved those bridges at Bowling Green and Green River. The next trouble was at Murfreesborough. The enemy had attacked Murfreesborough July 13 by a force 2,000 strong, under Colonel Forrest. Colonel Lester was in command at Murfreesborough up to the 12th July. He had the Third Minnesota, the Ninth Michigan, and Hewett's battery of four pieces. On the 12th General Crittenden took command there; on the 13th the attack was made and the forces taken prisoners. The first reports we got here were that the enemy were 7,000 strong, and to look out for this place and to be prepared to defend it. I had at that time at Lebanon four companies of infantry and two of cavalry. Lebanon is north of Murfreesborough. On hearing of the attack on Murfreesborough Lebanon was evacuated and the troops brought here, and I had two regiments of infantry and four companies, three companies of cavalry, and ten field pieces of artillery. It was uncertain at that time where the enemy would strike after taking that place. We had a small force at Gallatin and along the railroad between here and the Kentucky line. I think there were ten or twelve companies.

I brought down three companies from Gallatin to re-enforce the garrison here, but no attack was made and they were sent back. July 16 we had information that there were a thousand of the enemy at Lebanon, and we expected they would strike the road to Gallatin or beyond there; but on the 17th General Nelson came here with a force of five or six regiments, and he assumed command with these troops. On the 18th he marched to Murfreesborough. About the same time General Boyle asked for re-enforcements in Kentucky, reporting the enemy along the line in considerable force. As General Nelson had not increased the garrison materially no troops were sent him.

On the 19th General Nelson informed me that the enemy were in considerable force near Murfreesborough and sent here for re-enforcements. He had taken nearly all the force he brought here with him. But the enemy did not attack him there. Forrest, with about 1,800 or 2,000 men (cavalry) came in his rear and menaced this place. They drove in the pickets here, but made no attack. they went out to the railroad and attacked the force General Nelson had left to guard the bridges, taking about 80 men at the Mill Creek Bridge and burned the bridge, and then went off in the direction of Lebanon and got away. General Nelson did not get them.

Nothing occurred till about the 27th or 28th of July, when Colonel Boone, who was in command at Gallatin, and I think seven or eight companies along the rear at a place called Pilot Knob, became alarmed and desired re-enforcements. The Thirty-first Indiana was sent to re-enforce him at that place. That was about the 30th July. On the 4th or 5th or August those troops were taken away, General Nelson deeming the force under Colonel Boone amply sufficient, as he said to me. About 10th of August Colonel Boone was attacked by what from the best information I should suppose would be a force of 600 to 700. He was surprised at daylight and captured. It was as complete a surprise as that at Murfreesborough. I went up with parts of two regiments after that to Gallatin and that region, but could not get a fight. Colonel Heffren was in command of four companies of the Fiftieth Indiana, which were posted at the different bridges between here and Gallatin in the stockades which had been erected by General Buell's orders. About the 20th he had from 50 to 60 men in each stockade. About the 20th of August he took his men out of the stockades, leaving about 8 or 10 in each, and went off on an expedition to Gallatin. On his return he was attacked by Morgan with probably 600 or 700 men, and the enemy succeeded in burning three of the bridges; and, the men being along the road, quite a number of them were taken prisoners. The bridges were all burned but one, where a party of 18 got into the stockades and held it against the whole force. If he had left his men in the stockades none of these bridges would have been injured at all in my opinion. Colonel Boone neglected to build the stockades which he was ordered to build by General Buell, and at the time he was captured at Gallatin the tunnel was destroyed and one of the bridges this side of Gallatin. The force along the road was deemed sufficient, and would have been, if the stockades had been built and the men kept in them, as they ought to have been. It was not long after this that the fight at Gallatin occurred between General Johnson and Morgan, the particulars of which I suppose have been stated here before.

Question. State, if you please, the result of it.

General Johnson was captured, with probably 100 to 150 men. They nearly all


Page 268 KY.,M. AND E. TENN.,N. ALA.,AND SW. VA. Chapter XXVIII.