Today in History:

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

Page 717 Chapter XXVIII. GENERAL REPORTS.

Question. How long after receiving that dispatch did he leave there?

Not till several hours afterward.

Question. Was it the same day?

I cannot state, because I had to proceed to the front, the enemy having engaged some of my outposts.

Question. Can you state about how many of those foraging expeditions were sent out while you were at Cumberland Gap? What was the greatest distance reached by them?

I can remember distinctly seven foraging expeditions of some importance, though I cannot give their dates; two conducted by General Carter, one by General Baird, two by General Spears, and two by myself. Of these expeditions, one by General Spears and two by myself proceeded farther that any other. General Spears' expedition proceeded to a point in Campbell County, Tennessee near Clinch River; he marched by a direct road from Cumberland Gap toward Clinch River about 30 miles but in reality his troops covered a greater distance, inasmuch as they marched due west from Cumberland Gap, and only took a southern direction when they reached Big Creek Gap. On this expedition General Spears met the enemy in small force and captured some 50 or 60 prisoners, I believe. The expeditions under my command proceeded in a due southerly direction as far as Tazewell and operated around that town. On the second expedition to Tazewell, and on two occasions approached to within 1 mile of the Clinch River. On the last expedition I encountered the enemy every day and forced him from my front until I was attacked by Stevenson, as already stated in my deposition. I went south about 15 miles from Cumberland Gap.

Question. Were these expeditions always for the purpose of procuring supplies?

I believe all except General Spears' expeditions, one of which, I think, was intended to harass the enemy.

Question. To what extent did that expedition accomplish its object?

All I know of its success is that I was informed in conversation that General Morgan was much pleased with what General Spears had done.

Question. How far would you have had to go any time within the first month after your arrival in Cumberland Gap to find an enemy that it was worth while to chastise?

I do not think we should have found any force of the enemy of importance north of Clinch River until after the 20th of July.

Question. Was that as far as General Spears marched for the purpose of harassing the enemy?

Yes.

Question. What is the distance from Cumberland Gap to Knoxville?

About 40 miles, by the direct road through Tazewell.

Question. Do I understand you to say that Clinch River is more than 30 miles from Cumberland Gap?

I have not so stated, but it must be remembered that when I approached the Clinch River I had marched only 15 miles from Cumberland Gap; General Spears approached it where the river tends in a southwesterly direction. Clinch River at some points of its course is not more than 20 miles from Cumberland Gap, at some 15, and at other points 60 or 70.

Question. I understood you to say that the enemy was to be found on the south side of Clinch River at any time of the first month after your arrival at Cumberland Gap; if that is not what you mean please explain.

I have not stated, that I am aware, anything that would bear that inference. What I have stated will show that our expedition from Cumberland Gap on different occasions found the enemy in small force near the mouth of Clinch River. Of course I


Page 717 Chapter XXVIII. GENERAL REPORTS.