Today in History:

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

Page 294 KY.,M. AND E. TENN.,N. ALA.,AND SW. VA. Chapter XXVIII.

Question. State, if you please, the order in which you corps marched on that day and the hour at which your division arrived at the battle ground.

The division, I think the Third, under General Rousseau, had the advance; our division, the Tenth, followed. There were but two divisions in General McCook's command that day. I suppose that it was about midday or later when a body of our division arrived at Captain Hills.

Question. Did the whole of General Rousseau's division march in the advance?

No, sir. Colonel Starkweather's brigade having been delayed, as I understood, drawing supplies, General Jackson waited for him till 8 in the morning or later; finding him not coming up, General Jackson moved his division up, and was we approached the battle-field Colonel Starkweather, commanding the brigade, was in our rear.

Question. Did you hear the firing of artillery as you approached the battle-field?

I did, sir; at intervals.

Question. At what hour did the battle begin that day? I mean by that the severe engagement between General McCook's command and the enemy.

I think it was about 1 or little later-probably half past 1-when we saw the rebel infantry line. I myself was in the front, near to General Jackson, and when we first saw them they were not more than 90 yards from us, in the woods. Previous to seeing them we were firing at long range from two batteries without seeing any enemy, and it was a great surprise to General Jackson and myself, as expressed by General Jackson, that the enemy was near to us. We had time to run the cannon around a little and fire a few rounds of grape at this short range of not more than 90 yards. Almost in returning the first round of grape General Jackson fell by a bullet.

Question. Was the corps formed in line of battle at this time and prepared for the attack?

A portion of our division was not. I cannot answer for General Rousseau's.

Question. What precautions had been taken to guard against this surprise as you approached the enemy?

I know of none, sir except from what I heard from Captain Wickliffe, of a Kentucky cavalry regiment, who told me he had a short skirmish in the woods, the same woods we first saw the enemy coming through when our division caught up with the rear of General Rousseau's, which was about half past 11, I presume. Most of General Rousseau's infantry were in the road, with their arms stacked, preventing our farther progress. General Jackson and myself then rode up to what appeared to be headquarters. It was a devastated house, destroyed by the rebels previously. Here we were all discussing matters, not touching upon a general engagement that day, and looking on at the artillery duel going on between General Rousseau and the enemy at long range, the enemy not being in sight.

Question. Was there anything indicating that a general battle was imminent at that time?

Nothing that I saw. General Jackson certainly was not looking for a general engagement. The only thing in the day's proceedings that indicated a probable fight was a stopping of the wagons at Mackville and sending them to Springfield, instead of following the army.

Question. How long after your arrival was it before the corps was formed in order of battle?

It was about an hour and a half. We staid some time at this temporary head quarters. Afterward, I went down the road to bring up the last brigade, which occupied considerable time, and this last brigade was never in any perfect line of battle during that fight.


Page 294 KY.,M. AND E. TENN.,N. ALA.,AND SW. VA. Chapter XXVIII.