Today in History:

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

Page 490 KY., M. AND E. TENN., N. ALA., AND SW. VA. Chapter XXVIII.

Decatur up the river to Bridgeport on this side of the river-all boats that guerrillas could get to cross over from the other side. Captain King, Fourth Ohio Cavalry, went over at one time and destroyed some boats that were over there by General Mitchell's orders.

Question. There was but one ferry in operation, and that was the steam-ferry you speak of?

Yes, sir.

By general SCHOEPF:

Question. What was the amount of transportation that each regiment had in that division?

About thirteen wagons to a regiment.

Question. How many wagons were in a brigade train to each of the bridges?

I do not remember.

Question. Do you know if there was a brigade train to each bridge?

I do not know for a certainty.

Question. Do you know the number of wagons in a division train?

One train that went out had two hundred wagons that I know of.

By General TYLER:

Question. What particular duties did you perform while this order for getting out timber was being executed?

I was acting as military superintendent of the railroad for General Mitchell at that time, and also started those men up the road to look up the mills and report their condition.

Question. Were these mills run under your orders or your supervision?

They were started under my orders. A short time after they were started I was relieved of the superintendence of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, in order to report to Colonel Innes, who then took the supervision of the mills.

Question. What was the amount of lumber ordered to be cut up by General Mitchell for bridges, pontoon boats, &c., in feet, board measure?

I cannot estimate the correct amount. I have the bills of timber at my tent. It was some what less, though, than the bill of timber for the boats that we built.

Question. Was there as much as half a million of feet, board measure?

I think it was about 300,000 feet, as near as I remember, but I cannot answer correctly from memory.

Question. Was standing timber plenty for supplying your mills; and, if so, what kind?

Oak timber was plenty.

Question. How many mills did you pu in operation?

Two mills; Paint Rock Mill and Jackson's mill.

Question. Were these the only mills that could have been put in operation at that time within your control?

General BUELL. Mr. President, I do not wish to object to the question at all, but suggest to the Commission that it is unnecessary. I do not pretend that the failure to complete the bridge in time was the cause of my not moving to Chattanooga. I only call evidence upon this point to show how the troops were occupied; that preparations were being made. With that explanation I have no objection to the question.

The WITNESS. Yes, sir; and I had an almost endless amount of trouble to get these two started and keep them running.


Page 490 KY., M. AND E. TENN., N. ALA., AND SW. VA. Chapter XXVIII.