Today in History:

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

Page 111 Chapter XXVIII. GENERAL REPORTS.

(Army report, August 20, introduced by General Buell.)

Question. Please examine the morning report for 20th August, here submitted for you, and state from it the actual available force that was operating against the army of General Bragg at that time.

The morning of the division that were operating in front number as follows:

Men.

General Schoepf, First Division....................................6,000

General McCook, Second Division............................ 7,855

General Nelson, Fourth Division................................. 6,888

General Crittenden, Fifth Division................................3,377

General Wood, Sixth Division.....................................5,640

McCook, Cavalry Brigade.............................................640

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Total........................................................................30,400

Question. With all the information you have obtained from first to last in regard to the strength of the rebel army under General Bragg, by information derived from spies and other information and by actual contact with that army, what credence would you attach to the statement that when it crossed the Cumberland Mountains it did not exceed 22,000 infantry and artillery?

Well, sir, I would not have believed it, and any man who would have come to me to give such information as that I would have suspected of treachery and would have been very apt to have taken charge of him. I knew who the division commanders were, and that the organization of the army, which proved to be correct.

Question. At what point on the march of Bragg's army from Sparta into Kentucky could it certainly have been known that Kentucky instead of Nashville was its destination?

I think when the enemy had arrived at Tomkinsville, Ky., for I was a little apprehensive that they were going to fall back and go in at Gallatin, Ky.

Question. What is the distance from Carthage and Gainesborough, the points at which the enemy crossed the Cumberland River, to Glasgow?

The distance from Gainesborough to Glasgow about 45 miles; from Carthage to Glasgow 50 miles.

Question. What is the distance from Nashville to Glasgow?

By Scottsville, about 85 miles; by Bowling Green,which is the best traveled road, 95 miles.

Question. Was it necessary for the army on the march from Nashville to go via Bowling Green?

It was absolutely necessary, because we were without supplies and we had a million of rations stored there in anticipation of the railroad being cut.

Question. Do you know when the rebel army reached Glasgow or when it marched from there?

I do not remember the precise date.

Question. Of what importance was Munfordville as a military post?

Munfordville was an important military post, because it guarded the bridge over Green River.

Question. Did it control the movements of an army from Glasgow going into Kentucky?

No, sir; because it was a better road to keep to the right.

Question. Its importance was then determined by the value of the bridge?

Yes, sir.


Page 111 Chapter XXVIII. GENERAL REPORTS.