Today in History:

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

Page 280 KY.,M. AND E. TENN.,N. ALA.,AND SW. VA. Chapter XXVIII.

Question. Is the country about Huntsville productive?

Yes, sir.

Question. To what distance did you usually have to send for forage for the small force that was there?

From 1 to 18 miles, about.

Question. Do you know what the character of the country is on the other side of the river from Bridgeport to Chattanooga?

I never visited that country, but it has always been represented to me as a sterile mountainous, unproductive country, with bad roads and creeks, and sparsely settled,

Question. Could an army have found anything to subsist on in that region?

I should think not.

Question. With the railroads broken, as you have stated, and the limited supplies, is it you opinion that it would have been possible for the army to advance to Chattanooga prior to the movement of the rebel army toward Nashville?

The difficulties of supplying an army were so great when they were 40 or 50 miles away from that point that I think it would have been almost impossible to move successfully against Chattanooga and supply the troops.

Question. Do you know whether the Memphis and Charleston Railroad from Decatur to Corinth was made use of to any extent; and, if not, why it was not?

It was not made use of to any extent in transporting supplies. There were but few supplies to be drawn from that quarter. That is one reason why it was not more used. There might have been other reasons that I am not aware of.

Question. Do you know anything about the amount of rolling stock and motive-power on that point of the road?

There was but very little of either that was available for our army.

Question. Were you at my headquarters on the 8th of October last, near Perryville?

Yes, sir.

Question. Did you hear the firing of musketry during that day?

No, sir.

Question. Was it the supposition of any person about the headquarters that a severe battle was raging on the left?

No, sir.

Question. When did you first learn that there had been a severe fight there; at about what hour of the day?

About 4 o'clock in the afternoon of that day.

Question. And how did you learn it then?

I learned it by the arrival at the camp of the headquarters of three or four of General McCook's staff officers, very much disconcerted, who reported that they were hunting their general; that a severe fight had occurred, and that they had not seen their general for some time.

Cross-examination by the JUDGE-ADVOCATE:

Question. At the time you mention that the army was on half rations did it suffer?

No, sir; I should think not; the complained, however.


Page 280 KY.,M. AND E. TENN.,N. ALA.,AND SW. VA. Chapter XXVIII.