Today in History:

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

Page 525 Chapter XXVIII. GENERAL REPORTS.

the colonel on account of absentees who left the regiment and went to their homes in Indiana after the arrival of the regiment in Louisville?

I do not remember any report in reference to that particular regiment.

Question. In the whole of your connection with the Army of the Ohio can you point to an example of the refusal of any regiment in that army to march or perform any other service that was required of it?

I never heard of any such occurrence in the army before, sir. It certainly never occurred in my command.

Question. Do you know anything about the length of service and discipline of the new regiments formed at Louisville when the Army of the Ohio reached that point?

I know that the new regiments which were added to my command at Louisville, and which command was increased at that place to three divisions, were undisciplined and new troops. As to the time of their service, I infer from their want of discipline and instruction that it must have been very short.

Question. Do you know to what levy they belonged?

I understood that those troops were mostly raised after the invasion of Kentucky, when Louisville and Cincinnati were both supposed to be in danger, but I have no knowledge of the fact, and cannot say under what levy they were raised.

Question. What would be your judgment as to the ability of the force that was found in Louisville when the Army of the Ohio arrived there in September last to withstand a determined attack from Bragg's army at that place?

I do not think they could have withstood an attack from Bragg's army at all. They were all, as I understood new troops. General Nelson, who was in command at Louisville when I reached Salt River, was of that opinion, I know, from a note which I received from him, in answer to a dispatch of mine from the mouth of Salt River, urging me in his note to come immediately to Louisville.

Question. With what command and when did you march from Louisville against the rebel army at Bardstown?

I marched with the Second Army Corps, which was composed of the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Divisions. It was on the 1st of October, I think.

Question. Was it known at that time at what point the rebel forces were to be met-at what point they could probably be brought to battle?

My understanding wa, sir, that we would probably fight them at Bardstown.

Question. Did you find any rebel troops in Bardstown when you arrived there with your command?

We had rather a severe cavalry skirmish just on the edge of Bardstown, but found no infantry there. We drove the cavalry out, and in consequence of this cavalry skirmish, going up to support our cavalry there that met with a repulse there, my recollection is that we occupied Bardstown one day sooner than was expected.

Question. Was it known with any certainty at what point the rebel army would be found after its withdrawal at Bardstown?

I certainly did not know nor do I believe it was known. I remember, however, hearing you say at Bardstown, in a few minutes' conversation I had with you there while you were giving me instructions or orders for my march, that the enemy might make a stand at Perryville.

Question. By what road did you march after you left Springfield in advance upon Perryville, and at what point did you encamp on the night of the first day's march from Springfield?

I marched by the road which leads from Springfield to Haysville. General Thomas accompanies the command, and we went beyond Haysville to the fork of Salt River.


Page 525 Chapter XXVIII. GENERAL REPORTS.