Today in History:

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

Page 733 Chapter XXVIII. MORGAN'S FIRST KENTUCKY RAID.


HEADQUARTERS, Huntsville, July 11, 1862.

General BOYLE, Louisville:

I have just received your dispatch of yesterday. Report at once what troops you have and what dispositions you have made. The bridges at Bowling Green and Munfordville will be secure against any attack likely to be made any force of cavalry if protected by two companies in a field work so placed as to command the bridge perfectly. The works can be thrown up in a very few hours, and it should be done at once. This will leave your main force available for active operations. A stockade with loop-holes sufficient to hold from 10 to 15 or 20 men must be made at every bridge on the road, and while the road is in danger each train must carry a guard of about 40 men. The force of the enemy is doubtless greatly exaggerated. A regiment of infantry and your cavalry, if properly managed, will force him to recross the Cumberland or destroy him. The dispositions I am making on this side will indirectly assist that object. Troops can illy be spared from here, and it is necessary not to transfer them for a protracted service north of the Cumberland if it can be avoided. No person at Nashville was authorized to divert troops from the destination I have given them.

Your report should have been made to me.

D. C. BUELL.

LOUISVILLE, July 12, 1862.

Morgan has over 1,500 men; is force is increasing; all the rebels of the State will join him if there is not demonstration of force and power sent in cavalry. The State will be desolated unless this matter is attended to. This city is so endangered that I am bound to keep force here. Send me cavalry and other re-enforcements. I know more of Kentucky than you can possibly know, and unless it is intended to abandon Kentucky I must have the force.

J. T. BOYLE.

Colonel J. B. FRY.

LOUISVILLE, July 12, 1862.

Morgan passed around and escaped and burned Lebanon; is moving on Danville and toward Lexington.

I have no cavalry and but little force. The whole State will be in arms if General Buell does not send a force to put it down. Can we not have two of the regiments? Morgan is devastating with fire and sword. I have protected the railroad but cannot protect the whole State with my force.

J. T. BOYLE.

Captain OLIVER D. GREENER, Assistant Adjutant-General.

LOUISVILLE, KY., July 12, 1862.

I ordered 1,600 of my men to attack Morgan this morning. They have moved. Colonel Moore, of the Thirty-third Ohio, ordered by me into service, attacked 450 of Morgan's men near Lebanon last night at 11 o'clock, killing 1, wounding several, and routing them. They retreated toward Greensburg. I ordered pursuit of them.

J. T. BOYLE,
Brigadier-General.

Captain OLIVER D. GREENE.


Page 733 Chapter XXVIII. MORGAN'S FIRST KENTUCKY RAID.