Today in History:

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

Page 946 KY., M. AND E.TENN., N.ALA., AND SW.VA. Chapter XXVIII.

around their left flank. At this time it was evident that the enemy had staked everything on driving back or turning our right flank and that they had weakened their center to effect this object. I therefore determined the moment I could hear Smith's musketry on the enemy's left flank to move Hill's brigade rapidly on the center. With this view I galloped to the right to satisfy myself that Smith's brigade was getting into position. I found them moving into the position rapidly and in admirable order. I then moved back to give my personal attention to the advance of Hill's brigade, including the two batteries. Before I got far, however, I was addressed by Colonel Polk, who was being carried wounded to the rear. I stopped an instant to reply and while doing so received a very painful wound in the mouth, which in a few minutes deprived me of the powers of speech and rendered my further presence on the field worse than useless. I sent aides to inform General Preston Smith of my mishap and to direct him to take command of the division; also to inform Colonel Hill and yourself of the situation of affairs.

Including the batteries, I had less than 3,000 men in my division.

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,

P. R. CLEBURNE,

Brigadier General, Commanding Fourth Division, Army of Kentucky.

Major General E. KIRBY SMITH,

Commanding Army of Kentucky.


No. 22.

Report of Colonel Preston Smith, Provisional Army of the Confederate States, and Acting Brigadier-General, commanding First Brigade, Fourth Division.

HDQRS. FOURTH DIVISION, ARMY OF KENTUCKY, September 16, 1862.

COLONEL: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by my command in the series of battles before the town of Richmond, Ky., on the 30th ultimo:

Early on that morning (4 a.m.) this division, Brigadier-General Cleburne commanding, was moved forward in line of battle from the place of bivouac, 5 miles south of Rogersville, and in the direction of that place, the Second Brigade, Colonel Hill commanding, being in advance, the First Brigade about 500 yards in the rear thereof.

At 7.30 a.m., the Second Brigade having passed the town of Rogersville and the First emerging therefrom, the enemy, some half a mile north of the town, opened fire upon us with his field battery. The division was speedily thrown in position for action, having been changed from line of battle to moving by the flank a short distance south of the town. The battery of the Second Brigade was soon in position and replied to the fire of the enemy, which was continued for more than an hour, skirmishing being kept up the while between the advanced forces of the two armies. About this time I received an order from Brigadier-General Cleburne to send my battery forward and to the right of the position occupied by the battery of the Second Brigade, which was done, and the guns were soon heard from this position. I also received an order from Brigadier-General Cleburne to send a regiment forward and to the right of the line of the Second Brigade, to be posted in woods and near a


Page 946 KY., M. AND E.TENN., N.ALA., AND SW.VA. Chapter XXVIII.