144 Series I Volume XVI-I Serial 22 - Morgan's First Kentucky Raid, Perryville Campaign Part I
Page 144 | KY.,M. AND E.TENN.,N.ALA., AND SW.VA. Chapter XXVIII. |
Yes, sir; he has such a reputation. It was a portion of the cavalry under Captain Gay that was in advance. I remember one day after the battle of Perryville Captain Gay's cavalry was in advance on that road, as I understood, and was checked by the enemy at the crossing of the stream near Lancaster, and held in check until the infantry of Mitchell's division advanced with some artillery and dislodged them. From all the circumstances which I have related my opinion is that the enemy was not punished as severely on the retreat from Kentucky as he might have been.
Question. Have you heard my condemnation of the pursuit expressed beyond Crab Orchard?
No, sir. On the contrary, I have heard it spoken of as being vigorously carried on.
Question. Is it known that Bragg carried supplies with him in his advance from Chattanooga across the mountains?
I cannot speak as to the extent of his supplies. It was understood in our army, however, that Bragg's army drew upon the country pretty largely for supplies in their march through Tennessee.
Question. Had supplies been collected in depots in Kentucky, in advance of his arrival, by the forces of Kirby Smith?
It was the understanding in our army that supplies were collected by Kirby Smith in Kentucky; whether at depots on the route traveled by Bragg's army I am unable to say. I will add that I understand there were supplies collected for Bragg's army in Tennessee by citizens. I heard some one, I cannot tell who now, but it was one of the scouts employed by officers in our army,say that at some point in Tennessee the citizens had hauled in a considerable quantity of supplies for Bragg's army at the time the enemy reached the point where the supplies had been collected; I cannot remember the point, but it was not far from McMinnville; it was on his march somewhere between the mountain and Sparta.
By General TYLER:
Question. Could you give the court any information as to the time
Bragg's army crossed at Chattanooga at or near Pikeville and the Tennessee River at or near Carthage?
I have no memorandum to which I can refer to refresh my recollection as to dates, by my impression is that Bragg's army left Chattanooga about the middle of August and crossed the Cumberland Mountains at or near Pikeville about the 22nd of August. We crossed at Carthage about the first week in September, as near as I can recollect. The command to which I was attached left Decherd on the 18th of August for Pelham, and that is the only date about which I can feel at all certain.
Question. When Bragg crossed the mountains at Pikeville what force had we collected at McMinnville, and what is the distance from McMinnville to Pikeville?
I understood at that time that two division of our army, of about 15,000, with a small body of cavalry, were at or near McMinnville, under the command of General Thomas. I cannot state the distance.
By the JUDGE-ADVOCATE:
Question. You have been examined in reference to the sympathy of the inhabitants for the rebels as facilitating their procuring supplies. What would have been the effect of a kind, conciliatory policy toward the negroes in this connection by your army?
I think nineteen out of twenty of the slaves of the disloyal States are friendly to the Union cause. What would been the effect in aiding us to procure supplies from the country if a different policy pursued toward them than that enforced by the commanding officers of our army I am unable to say; it would be a mere matter of opinion. I will state, however, in this connection, that most of the information we received while the army was in Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee came from the negroes. They were always reliable, I do not mean to say that they were always truthful. Very frequently their anxiety to get with the army induced them to misrepresent the position of their masters and owners. The information was generally correct as to the locality and movements of the enemy, though I never consisted it reliable as to the political status of
Page 144 | KY.,M. AND E.TENN.,N.ALA., AND SW.VA. Chapter XXVIII. |