Today in History:

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

Page 538 KY., M. AND E. TENN.N, N. ALA., AND SW. VA.

[CHAP. XXVIII.

Question. Where would that position be in reference to Perryville and on what road?

The position at Crawford Spring would be on the Perryville and Harrodsburg road and about 3 miles I think toward Harrodsburg. The spring is not on the road, but near enough I presume to be called on the road.

Question. What position did your corps take on the 10th and at what hour was it entirely in camp?

On the 10th my recollection is that I was in camp at Harlan's; but whether I reached the camp that day or whether I went there on the evening of the 9th is a matter about which I cannot be positive in my statements. I cannot remember whether I went to Harlan's on the 9th or 10th, but I did not move from there on the 10th. I now remember that before I marched from Harlan's with my entire command I sent a brigade to make a reconnaissance toward Harrodsburg. I must leave the question unanswered as to when I got into camp, because I am not actually positive that I marched on the 10th. If I marched on the 10th it was from Crawford Spring, and as it was but a few miles I have no doubt I got into camp early in the day, but I do not recollect the hour.

Question. Who commanded the brigade that went into Harrodsburg, and are you positive that it returned to your camp at Harlan's or did it not join you after you moved from that position?

Colonel Harker commanded the brigade which I sent into Harrodsburg, and since the suggestion which the question makes I am inclined to think that Colonel Harker did join me afterward and that he did not return to Harlan's.

Question. Did you give Colonel Harker his instructions or did General Thomas?

My impression is that they were given by General Thomas. My impression is that I was present or that I gave the instructions myself to Colonel Harker. This is my impression, because Colonel Harker was not instructed to go into Harrodsburg and I was surprised to learn that he had been there. I did not expect him to go there when he started. He was making a reconnaissance to see where the enemy were. I supposed at the time they were at Harrodsburg.

Question. Was the whole of your corps at Harlan's? If not, describe the position of the different parts of it.

The whole of my corps was not at Harlan's. About two divisions were at Harlan's, which is 4 or 5 miles from Perryville, at a point, I should say, nearly equidistant between the Perryville and Danville road and Perryville and Harrodsburg road perhaps a little nearer to the Danville road than to the Harrodsburg road; and one division south of the other two divisions perhaps 2 miles, on or near the Danville road.

Question. Do you know of a brigade being sent from your right division, while occupying that position, to Danville and beyond Danville on a reconnaissance?

I do, sir. I sent Colonel Harker to Danville with his brigade.

Question. Was your corps in the advance in the pursuit of the rebel army in its retreat from Cam Dick Robinson?

It was, sir.

Question. At what time did it march from Danville to take up that pursuit?

I cannot remember the day at this time.

Question. At what hour did your march commence?

It is impossible for me to recollect and state at what hour I marched. A number of blunders delayed one of my divisions. I am inclined to think I was ordered to march very early that morning. I now remember that a sister I had living in Danville was very anxious to have me stay all night at her house, and that I could not do it in consequence of the early hour at which we were to start next morning. That would induce me to believe that it was at an earlier hour than 6.

Question. Can you remember whether you had orders to march at 12


Page 538 KY., M. AND E. TENN.N, N. ALA., AND SW. VA.