Today in History:

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

Page 469 Chapter XXVIII. GENERAL REPORTS.

Question. How were General Breckinridge's troops going to Murfreesborough, and how long had they started before you saw him on the occasion referred to?

I think they went on the railroad. My best recollection is that they left there a day or two before General Breckinridge left Knoxville himself.

Question. Do you know whether or not there was much dissatisfaction among the rebel troops on account of their withdraw from Kentucky?

Yes, sir; there was a great deal of dissatisfaction among both the officers and troops, more particularly among the officers. I had more chance to talk with them than the men. There was a general dissatisfaction. They claimed that they came there to hold Kentucky and they saw no reason why they should leave it.

Question. Did you hear anything about a council of war among the officers of Camp Dick Robinson with reference in favor of giving battle, but that General Bragg overruled them and ordered a retreat. I got this from Mr. Gilson Johnson, and I heard divers others speaking about it. My best recollection serves me now that it was Sunday or Monday the retreat was ordered, and I went on to Lancaster, and the next morning General Buckner's command came through there; his command came through Lancaster on Monday morning on the road to Crab Orchard.

Question. Who was this Mr. Johnson that you received this information from and what connection had he with the rebel army?

I think that he belonged to General Breckinridge's staff and he was out on furlough; but I met with him at Camp Dick Robinson, and he went back with the retreating army.

Question. How long was this council held after the battle of Perryville or was it before or after the battle?

It was after the battle of Perryville, the Sunday following the battle, which think took place on the Wednesday previous.

Question. What was the opinion of the people of Kentucky, as far as you know it, in regard to the object of the invasion; did they believe it was a temporary incursion or did they suppose that the rebel forces came there to hold the State permanently?

It was generally believed by the people of Kentucky that General Bragg's object in coming there was to hold Kentucky, and they held to that opinion up to the time of his retreat, when the people generally were taken by surprise, as they did not look for anything of the sort. General Bragg, made a speech in Lexington to that effect and convinced the people that such was his object.

Question. Do you say you were at Camp Dick Robinson at the time the rebel army was there after the battle of Perryville?

Yes, sir. I got there on Friday, I think, and remained there till the retreat was ordered, which as I stated before, I believe was on Sunday evening.

Question. Did you have an opportunity of having some knowledge of the intended movements of the rebel army; and, if so, was it supposed or understood when that army moved to Camp Dick Robinson that it ;was retreating out of Kentucky?

When it moved to Camp Dick Robinson I think it was generally understood that the intention was to give battle, from the fact of their concentrating their whole forces at that point, and it was believed so up to the time this council of war was held. After that I understood that the army would retreat to the south by way of Cumberland Gap.


Page 469 Chapter XXVIII. GENERAL REPORTS.