Today in History:

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

Page 296 KY.,M. AND E. TENN.,N. ALA.,AND SW. VA. Chapter XXVIII.

Question. Did you at the time or have you since acquired any information going to show that General McCook had any special purpose in fighting this action on his own account?

I have not, sir.

By General TYLER:

Question. Was Jackson's division ever in line of battle on that day?

Not in perfect order, sir. The ground was very broken, as stated before, and there was one regiment that had not got up when the rebel infantry advanced.

Question. What was the loss of that division?

I made a report of the loss. I think our total was 5,600, and our loss was over 20 per cut, making about 1,200 men in killed and missing.

Question. What influence did General Jackson's death have on the division; did it break immediately after or keep on fighting?

I do not think his death had any influence on the troops. The troops were all new to him at the time. He was killed early in the engagement, almost the first shot, and was not in a position to be seen by his troops, standing as he was at the moment on the left of the battery. The troops near him were lying on their bellies.

Question. Did this division participate in the change of position that General McCook made in the night by his whole corps d'armee?

I cannot say, sir. At night, when the battle was over, I went to the rear, some three-quarters of a mile or more, to find Brigadier-General Terrill, who was reported to be dangerously wounded. I found him so, scarcely able to breathe, and near his quarters I laid down that night and slept. The next day, not finding our army where it was when I left it at night, and not finding any rebel army on the ground we were fighting over, I proceeded with some orderlies to secure the body of General Jackson, and I did not rejoin General McCook or see him until I had been to Louisville and returned to the army.

By General DANA:

Question. Was there any neglect of the ordinary precautions of sending forward skirmishers or of trying to feel for the position of the enemy?

I cannot answer, as on the day of the fight and the day previous General Rousseau's division was in the advance.

The Commission adjourned to meet January 12, 1863, at 10 a. m.

LOUISVILLE, January 12, 1863.

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

Colonel HENRY DENT (a witness for the defendant), being duly sworn by the judge-advocate, testified as follows:

By General BUELL:

Question. State, if you please, your name and the position you hold in the service of the United States.

Henry Dent; colonel of the Thirty-fourth Kentucky Volunteers. I am provost-marshal of the State of Kentucky.

Question. Colonel, state, if you please, what the feeling was in Louisville and Kentucky generally, as far as you know it, abut the time of the invasion of Kentucky by General Bragg last summer and fall, in regard to the danger that this city was in from that invasion, and the feeling that was entertained among officers and soldiers in reference to the arrival of the Army of the Ohio, under my command.

The feeling in this city was very intense, both with officers and citizens; much anxiety was felt for the city. At one time we lost sight of the Army of the Ohio;


Page 296 KY.,M. AND E. TENN.,N. ALA.,AND SW. VA. Chapter XXVIII.