Today in History:

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

Page 415 Chapter XXVIII. GENERAL REPORTS.

whose name I do not remember,and who rendered very valuable service to me as a scout. I have not treasured the names of several other scouts who served me or of the refugees who arrived. I could, however, ascertain by reference to the account of what I paid them for their services.

Question. Have you any written reports or memoranda made at that time - made by those scouts and refugees?

I think I have among my papers copies of dispatches that I sent to General Buell embodying the information that I received before his arrival at Decherd and also while I was in command at Manchester.

Question. Am I to understand from your statement with reference to the force being sent from Corinth that up the evacuation of Corinth Chattanooga had been left undefended by the rebels?

I do not suppose that it had been left entirely so, but suppose that it was held by but a small force of the enemy.

Question. With Chattanooga naturally so strong that 25,000 men could hold it against 50,000 men and the rebels at Richmond in distress for lack of troops which place would your better judgment dictate the troops went to from Corinth?

General BUELL. I object to the question, Mr. President, because I think it opens a wide latitude to the investigation.

The JUDGE-ADVOCATE. I withdraw the question.

General BUELL. It assumes certain conditions that might be answered very well, but it is impossible for the witness to know that there was greater necessity for the troops at Chattanooga than at Richmond.

By General TYLER:

Question. You said you could move 25,000 men from Tupelo to Chattanooga in ten days or two weeks. By what railroad route could they have been moved?

A portion of them I should have moved by way of Tupelo to Mobile and from Mobile up the road to Atlanta and from Atlanta to Chattanooga, and a portion I should have moved across from Meridian to Selma, marching across any gap that might have existed in the railroad line between those two points, which was understood to be very inconsiderable if there was any at all, and from Selma on to Chattanooga by railroad, which intersects the same road as the one leading from Mobile up to Atlanta. I know that railroad connection exists between Selma and Chattanooga.

Question. What is the distance from Tupelo to Chattanooga by way of Mobile, Montgomery, and Atlanta?

I should think from 700 to 800 miles.

General BUELL. I request that the general may refer to the maps.

General TYLER. It is 714 by the railroad map. The general is right. You men,of course, 25,000 men, with their artillery, baggage, provisions, and including the baggage train?

I would not include a baggage train.

By General TYLER:

Question. Would you consider an army in the field efficient without a baggage train?

That would depend upon the extent of its field of operations. In the case supposed I would consider it perfectly efficient for the garrisoning of Chattanooga without is baggage train and for any operations in that immediate vicinity.

Question. To move this army in two weeks would be about 2,000 men a day. How many cars and engines would you require to move 2,000 men, with their baggage, &c., in a single day?

I would require from 60 to 80 cars and from 8 to 12 engines.


Page 415 Chapter XXVIII. GENERAL REPORTS.