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

Page 454 KY., M. AND E. TENN., N. ALA., AND SW. VA. Chapter XXVIII.

son by the shortest road, and is not Harrodsburg some miles in advance of Salvisa?

Some little distance. I do not remember the number of miles just now. I never heard and can see no reason why they should go there except to come back again on the main road; they would get into a road that was almost impracticable, steep, and rugged.

Question. Did or did not the greater part of Bragg's army pass over Dick's River by a pass in the neighborhood of Salvisa?

Yes sir; they passed over the only crossing there is. It is the only place to cross from Harrodsburg through Dicksville direct to Bryantsville.

Question. Do you mean us to understand that there is no practicable road passing from Salvisa to the crossing that Bragg's army made over Dick's River except by the way of Harrodsburg?

It is the only crossing of Dick's River, and the best road is to go through Harrodsburg. If you are at Salvisa on the left or Danville on the right you strike the same place and come into the common road.

Question. Just look on the map and fix your eye on McMinnville and Sparta. Suppose Bragg's army to be concentrated at Sparta and General Buell's at McMinnville and the destination of both had been Glasgow, which would reach Glasgow first, supposing transportation, &c., to have been equal?

Taking the roads as they are, Bragg seems to be several miles nearer Glasgow than the troops at McMinnville.

Question. Supposing General Buell's army had ten days' advantage, which would have reached there first?

Why, General Buell, of course.

Question. How did Bragg and Kirby Smith subsist their armies in Kentucky and Tennessee? Was it by voluntary contributions or by levies made on the citizens?

I understand Bragg's supplies and depots were at Columbus and Atlanta, just in his rear, on the line of railway; from these points he drew them, whatever the Confederate Government supplied. Whether they seized, impressed, or purchased them I am unable to say. Whenever I have been near them they took supplies and the people said did not pay for them. Kirby Smith's army, up to its departure for Kentucky, was supplied from the same depots. He carried enough to last him till he struck the blue-grass region of Kentucky; there he had his subsistence and paid for it in Confederate money. From Union people he took at his own price and in his own way.

Commission adjourned to meet February 20, 1863.

CINCINNATI, February 20, 1863.

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

JAMES B. BECK (a witness for the defendant). being duly sworn by the judge-advocate, testified as follows:

By General BUELL:

Question. State your name, if you please, and place of residence.

James B. Beck; Lexington, Ky.

Question. State, if you please, what information you have of the movements of the rebel force under the command of General Breckinridge in October last, and what reasons you have for believing that force was expected in Kentucky about the time of the battle of Perryville or soon after.

I have no information from General Breckinridge personally; my information is


Page 454 KY., M. AND E. TENN., N. ALA., AND SW. VA. Chapter XXVIII.