Today in History:

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

Page 384 KY., M. AND E. TENN., N. ALA., AND SW. VA. Chapter XXVIII.

of our loss as I do of the enemy's, the other branch of it having come under my notice from the administration of my own duties.

By General TYLER:

Question. Were you engaged in such military operations during the invasion of Kentucky as to place you in contact with Bragg's and Kirby Smith's armies, or is the information you have given the Commission as to the force, operations, and losses such as you have obtained from reports and from reading the public press?

I was in command of Kentucky when Kirby Smith entered the State. I had communication with General George W. Morgan at Cumberland Gap by telegraph daily. I had scouts in the country, spies in the country, to ascertain the position and force of the enemy. After Kirby Smith was in the State I had persons who entered his lines and who could form estimates of his force. I heard expressions of opinion from General Wallace, General Nelson, General Cruft, General Jackson, and other officers as to his force, according to the information that they had derived, having received it through spies and scouts, and from their observation. I acquired my knowledge and information of Bragg's forces in the same manner. I do not remember to have seen any newspaper statements or estimates; they would have formed no basis of opinion for me at all. I have seen numbers of officers and privates of intelligence that belonged to Bragg's and Kirby Smith's armies, some of whom I knew, and from information they gave me, and from the various sources, such as I presume are relied upon by prudent and discreet men placed in the position in which I was, I drew my opinions and formed my estimates. I supposed my opinion, commanding in Kentucky, required me to take all necessary steps for the purpose of ascertaining both the force, position, and amount of the armies of the rebels, and that I did, I thought, with industry and care; and I suppose that my information and knowledge upon the subject are as accurate, or ought to be more accurate, than that of most persons, if not of any one.

Question. What points of time does your command in Kentucky, referred to in the last part of your answer,cover?

I assumed command in Kentucky on the 4th of June. I remained in command until the 23rd of August, when General Wright assumed command. I still remained at Louisville after he assumed command, and after General Buell's arrival I was left in command at Louisville od the forces that were left there.

Question. After General Buell's arrival at Louisville to the close of the campaign was your command confined to Louisville?

I had the command of the troops that were outside of Louisville. Some of them were at Shepherdville.

Question. Please name the points where the troops under your command were stationed.

At Louisville and immediately around it, at Shepherdsville, at Jeffersonville, and of troops that were coming in. Some of them came in after General Buell left there, I believe. I took command of such troops as I sent to escort the trains as far as Bardstown. Some of the troops were those that arrived after General Buell left there or were on the north side of the river.

By General BUELL:

Question. Apart from the limits of your command, do you consider that your interest in the state of Kentucky and your acquaintance with its people would have given your peculiar facilities for gaining information in regard to the enemy that was invading it?

I think so, sir. I think I had as much facility and opportunity as almost any other native citizen of the State could have had, having a considerable acquaintance in every section and county in the State.

The JUDGE-ADVOCATE. Before the witness is dismissed I wish to say I did not call his attention to the correspondence between Forsyth and Hawes for the purpose of introducing it before the Commission, because that was done by General Buell yesterday; but having procured that correspondence and having found a positive statement as to the num-


Page 384 KY., M. AND E. TENN., N. ALA., AND SW. VA. Chapter XXVIII.