Today in History:

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

Page 585 Chapter XXVIII. GENERAL REPORTS.

While Kirby Smith's forces were moving through Harrodsburg couriers came in riding very rapidly from Perryville and went out on the road leading from Harrodsburg to Camp Dick Robinson. I should judge it was between 10 and 11 o'clock that these forces commenced coming on the Camp Dick Robinson road. They came down the Perryville road and went up the Harrodsburg road.

Question. Did their forces form a part of the column you have described as marching out from Harrodsburg toward Perryville between the hours of 8 and 12?

I cannot state exactly whether they did form part or not. A part of them went out upon the road. I do not know exactly when Kirby Smith's whole force got to the end of it; they were moving when I left Harrodsburg, which was 3 o'clock in the afternoon.

Question. What force was it, then, you said moved out between 8 and 12 o'clock?

Kirby Smith's forces.

Question. What force, then, moved out between 12 and 3 o'clock?

I went to get some dinner at 12 o'clock at a hotel, and when I came out of it I saw the troops still moving on the Camp Dick Robinson road. How long it took Kirby Smith's force to get through there I do not know.

Question. In what direction were they moving on the Harrodsburg and Camp Dick Robinson road?

They were moving into Harrodsburg.

Question. Why cannot you then say, if you saw it, whether Buckner, Hardee, and Cheatham formed a junction with Kirby Smith?

I stated that I supposed they formed a junction; in fact I know that they formed a junction.

Question. By what road did you leave Harrodsburg to join the Army of the Ohio?

By the Danville road.

Question. At what point did you meet our forces?

We were taken out upon the Danville pike leading from Harrodsburg to Danville. We were then taken out upon the pike leading from Danville to Perryville for about 3, 4, or 5 miles perhaps. We were then taken upon a circuitous route; I do not know by what name the road is called; it was to the left of the Danville road going from Danville to Perryville. We met our pickets the other side of Perryville. We marched same 30 miles to get there.

Question. What time did you arrive at the point where you met our forces?

Probably about 3 or 4 o'clock on the morning of the 11th. I do not recollect the exact time.

Question. Where did you find General Buell's headquarters?

I went out upon the pike leading from Perryville to Harrodsburg and found General Buell's headquarters to the left of the pike.

Question. How far from Perryville?

I should judge it to be 2 or 2 1/2 miles.

Question. Upon what day did you see General Buell?

On the morning of the 11th of October.

Question. Did you report to General Buell that you saw Buckner, Hardee, and Cheatham going down toward Camp Dick Robinson?

I do not recollect whether I did or not. It was but a short time after daylight that I got there, and I felt it necessary for him to know what information I had obtained, and do not know whether I told him I saw the forces retreating to Camp Dick Robinson or not on the morning of the 9th.


Page 585 Chapter XXVIII. GENERAL REPORTS.