Today in History:

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

Page 291 Chapter XXVIII. GENERAL REPORTS.

Question. Were you present at Munfordville at the time Colonel Wilder repulsed the rebels? If so, state what the nature of that contest was, and, if you know, the loss of the rebels.

I was in hearing of the guns, perhaps a mile and a half off; was in the fortifications in the evening. The fight was commenced at 5 and ceased at 8 in the morning. The loss was variously estimated. A great many who were on the field directly after the fight told me there were a great many dead upon the field. The rebels estimated their loss to be in killed about 150. The citizens estimated the killed to be 400 to 500. Colonel Wilder estimated the killed to be about 350, making the killed and wounded about 700. The estimate made of the force by the rebels themselves was three regiments of infantry, while they had about two regiments of cavalry. I met one regiment of cavalry myself, but did not take time to count them. The fight was certainly very severe; seemed to be an incessant roar of musketry and cannon during the entire three hours. The citizens who saw the fight witnessed it from the cupola, from which they had a fair view of the whole ground. They say the rebels made three charges, and charged at one time within 30 feet of the breastworks. The rebels, it was said, retreated under a flag of truce. The officers in the fort said they acted very manly with the exception of that. I was with Colonel Wilder frequently before the fight. I never saw a man who was more diligent and worked harder to prepare for the contemplated attack. It is my opinion the fort was very well defended.

Cross-examination by General BUELL:

Question. What was the strength of the force that attacked Munfordville estimated to be?

I do not know.

Question. What was it estimated to be by the citizens who witnessed it or had knowledge of it?

All the citizens that I heard speak of it lived on this side of the river, and what they saw was at a distance; and if they told me I do not remember what the number of regiments was estimated to be.

Question. Was the attack characterized by great determination and gallantry on the part of the rebel troops?

From all I learned I thought it was. General Bragg, however, condemned it; he said, in effect, the attack was not authorized.

Question. Did his disapprobation extend to the conduct of his troops or to the judgment of the commander?

The remark of General Bragg was that the though the attack was very unwise on the part of the general who commanded; he remarked that the attack was unauthorized.

Question. How soon after the surrender did General Bragg commence to move his army across the river and put it in march for its destination, whatever that might be?

The surrender was made, as I learned, at night, and the army commenced to cross next day. General Bragg moved his headquarters over in the evening.

Question. When did the army actually march from Munfordville?

They commenced leaving in the morning, the day before the approach of General Buell's army, and were all gone by 3 o'clock. I walked to the depot myself and was upon the field when they were moving and saw a large number of the troops going off. I staid for an hour or two looking at them and talked with many of them, and when the army seemed to be entirely gone I noticed about 20 officers going off in the rear; they were all said to be generals. Among them I saw General Bragg and his staff and General Buckner, whom I knew. Many troops moved a day or two before. Every day there were troops going out, but my information was that they returned until that day, when they all moved off. General Bragg and his staff reported that they were going the day before they did go. Their headquarters were at my house and they packed up their things to go the day before, but something turned up which prevented their going until their final departure. It was frequently reported that in all probability they would have a fight there, as General Buell's army was very close-


Page 291 Chapter XXVIII. GENERAL REPORTS.