Today in History:

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

Page 963 Chapter XXVIII. SIEGE OF MUNFORDVILLE,KY.

at the depot near here to remain undisturbed has been received through Major Morgan. Permit me to thank you cordially for the proposal, and I will avail myself of it, as the roads are very rough. Hoping that when we cross swords again I may be able to render you a similar service, I remain, very respectfully,

JAMES R. CHALMERS,

Brigadier-General.

FORT CRAIG, KY., September 14, 1862.

Brigadier General JAMES R. CHALMERS,

Commanding Confederate States Forces:

GENERAL: Your acceptance of my proposition is received. One of my sergeants went outside of my works to relieve a wounded comrade after your flag of truce came in; some of your men engaged in removing your wounded took him prisoner. I expect you to return him.

Respectfully, yours,

J. T. WILDER,

Colonel, Commanding.


No. 2.

Report of Colonel Cyrus L. Dunham, Fiftieth Indiana Infantry.

LOUISVILLE, KY., September 30, 1862.

SIR: I have the honor to report that, in obedience to an order from Major-General Gilbert, I on the 13th instant, at 11 p.m., left the depot of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad with six companies of the Fiftieth Regiment Indiana Volunteers and one company (K) of the Seventy-eighth Indiana (attached to the Fiftieth, for duty), in all 446 strong, rank and file, for Green River, near Munfordville, to re-enforce Colonel Wilder in the defense of that point. The train ran very slowly until some distance below Elizabethtown, when I went and earnestly urged the engineer to greater speed, assuring him that it was all-important for us to reach Green River before daylight. He did increase the speed as far as safety would permit. Just below Bacon Creek, about 7 miles from Green River, the train stopped for wood. I immediately passed along the cars, aroused the men, and bade them stand by their arms in readiness for any emergency, as we were approaching dangerous ground. I took position on the engine, and the train moved cautiously forward. We had proceeded about a mile when we ran upon a portion of the track which had been undermined by the enemy, and slid to one side in such a manner as not to make the injury apparent to the engineer or myself. The train was thrown off, and several of the cars completely wrecked; yet, strange to say, not a man or a horse was seriously injured. The men seemed inspired with even greater confidence, as if feeling themselves under the especial protection of an overruling Providence. They were immediately formed in line of battle, an instantaneous attack being expected. The woods, which skirted the sides of the road were promptly reconnoitered. No enemy appearing, the regiment was put in rapid march for Munfordville, presuming that the road had been destroyed to prevent

re-enforcements from reaching that place. We had not proceeded far before cannonading was heard in that direction. It had not become daylight,


Page 963 Chapter XXVIII. SIEGE OF MUNFORDVILLE,KY.