Today in History:

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

Page 271 Chapter XXVIII. GENERAL REPORTS.

By General TYLER:

Question. Do you think these parties of guerrillas, as you term them, had any direct assistance from the people along the line of railroad by giving information as to the condition of our troops?

General BUELL. I object to this term "guerrillas" as applied to these troops. They are as much troops as any in the rebel service. I think there is a difference between the cavalry of Morgan, Forrest, and Starness and what we understand by "guerrillas." I know of no reason for giving them a character which does not belong to them, for they are not "guerrillas" in the proper sense of that term.

General TYLER. There is a letter from Beauregard in which he says he appointed this man (Morgan) for this very purpose, and call them "guerrillas," and says, "You will hear from themJanuary

The PRESIDENT. They are called "Partisan Rangers," I think, by the Southerners.

General BUELL. These troops are not of that character.

The WITNESS. I think it is possible that some persons may have given them information.

The Commission adjourned to meet on December 26, 1862, at 10 o'clock a. m.

NASHVILLE, December 26, 1862.

The Commission met pursuant to adjournment. All the members present; also the judge-advocate and General Buell.

General HAZEN (a witness for the defense), being duly sworn, testified as follows:

By General BUELL:

Question. State your name and position in the service, if you please.

My name is W. B. Hazen, colonel of the Forty-first Ohio Volunteers. I have commanded a brigade in the Army of the Cumberland since January 1, 1862.

Question. With what part of the army were you in the recent campaign in Kentucky starting from Louisville?

I was in the division commanded by General W. S. Smith, in the Second Corps; it had position int he line of battle upon the right.

Question. Was your brigade sent on a reconnaissance under your command on the 11th of October, after the battle of Perryville?

It was with the advance of a regiment of cavalry and a battery of artillery.

Question. State, if you please, where you went and what you saw.

I went upon the road toward Danville. When within 1 mile of Danville I found a line of rebel cavalry with the pieces of artillery opposed to me. The cavalry were dismounted, and they made stout resistance to our progress. I pushed forward my command, and after skirmishing for half an hour they gave way and passed through the town of Danville, skirmishing all the way. I pursued them about a mile beyond Danville, on the Camp Dick Robinson road, when, having executed my commission, I returned to camp. I learned by citizens, and by the report of one of my aides who saw the troops in person, that John Morgan, with from 200 to 300 cavalry, were drawn up in line of battle 1 1/2 miles on the left of Danville, crossing the Harrodsburg road. I saw the principal people of Danville, the most influential people, and learned all I could of them as to their position and force. They all agreed in stating that the rebel forces were then concentrated at Camp Dick Robinson, and there would give us fight. I took great pains in being correct in regard to this information, and went back to camp thoroughly impressed with this belief, and reported the same to General Crittenden, commander of the corps. I would further say that the people of Danville were very enthusiastic in our reception and endeavored to give me as correct information as possible. The people with whom I conversed were thoroughly our friends.


Page 271 Chapter XXVIII. GENERAL REPORTS.