Today in History:

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

Page 547 Chapter XXVIII. GENERAL REPORTS.

Question. How long had McCook's division been at Athens when you arrived and do you know when he left the vicinity of Corinth?

General McCook's division reached Iuka about the same time that I reached there and preceded me on the march to Athens. We crossed the Tennessee River at Florence together, he preceding me one day. Whether General McCook preceded me to Athens or not I am not positive. I know that he marched in advance of me to Huntsville and as far as Stevenson, but cannot now remember positively whether I left Florence in front of General McCook's command. General McCook I think must have left the vicinity of Corinth about the 15th to the 17th of June, and I believe that he could march from Corinth to Iuka in a day, and my recollection is that he did make that march.

Question. You say you arrived at Stevenson on the 12th of July. How far is Stevenson from Chattanooga?

I should say it is about 40 miles. I do not know the distance by any road.

Question. What is the distance from Baldwyn to Stevenson and how many days were you on the route and what did your march average per day?

I think it is about 180 to 200 miles from Baldwyn to Stevenson. I do not remember how many days I was marching. I do not now remember how many days I halted on the march. Whenever I did march my recollection is that my march would average from 12 to 15 miles. I was halted several times on the march; I had to stop at Iuka. I do not know how many days I was detained for supplies and turning over a number of things, such as overcoats and camp equipage; things we did not want on the march. I do not remember how many days we lost at Tuscumbia in crossing the Tennessee River; we had to make a road there; nor do I remember how long I was delayed at Athens waiting for supplies. It would be impossible for me to say how many days I was marching unless I had access to my papers.

Question. You can state, general, whether that march was pushed with vigor, no time lost, as if you had some object in view, or whether it was delayed and what was the cause of the delay.

So far as my own command is concerned I have no recollection of any delay. My halts were all made for specific purposes, and when they were accomplished, when I had got supplies and when we had made the road ready at the river and we crossed the river and marched, my recollection is that we marched direct to Athens, where I was delayed for want of supplies. I made no halt afterward except one day at Huntsville, waiting again for supplies, until I reached Battle Creek.

Question. On your arrival at Stevenson, on the 12th of July, where were the other divisions of the Army of the Ohio?

I found General McCook's division near Stevenson, and we left a division (I think General Mitchel's) at Huntsville, under the command of General Smith. I believe General Nelson's division was at Athens when I passed through. I do not remember where General Wood's division was; I think he was repairing a railroad, but I do not know exactly where, and there was a brigade at Battle Creek.

Question. Were not Athens and Battle Creek about the poorest places for supplies you encountered?

Battle Creek certainly was one of the poorest of places, and I remember having a great deal of difficulty at Athens about forage. On the march there were places which were worse for supplies. The road from Huntsville to Stevenson is a very bad one for supplies, and it was a very barren, mountainous country at the beginning of the march, shortly after we left Iuka, I think.

Question. When you were living on half rations at Battle Creek what exertions were made and how to obtain supplies from the country?

We sent out parties regularly for forage and driving cattle. We hired the Tennessee refugees that came into camp to go out and drive in cattle and haul in forage. I cannot remember precisely what extent of country, but we sent as far as we deemed it safe. At one time we sent back to Stevenson and out upon the Stevenson road and had forage hauled to the road; that would be some 25 to 30 miles in that direction. Up the Sequatchie Valley we could not send very far.


Page 547 Chapter XXVIII. GENERAL REPORTS.