163 Series I Volume XVI-I Serial 22 - Morgan's First Kentucky Raid, Perryville Campaign Part I
Page 163 | Chapter XXVIII. GENERAL REPORTS. |
division encamped in Woodsonville, on the south side of Green River, on Sunday, the 21st of September, making five days and a piece.
Question. Was there variation in the rate of marching during that time?
During the days that the troops marched, considering the number of the troops moving, the marches were about as usual. It was necessary to conform our marched to some extent to the places where water could be found. The country from Bowling Green to Green River is an exceedingly dry and badly watered one. There are scarcely any running streams, very few springs, and the dependence is upon ponds or surface water, and the season previous to and at that time was exceedingly dry.
Question. What is the distance from Bowling Green to Munfordville?
Forty miles.
Question. Do you think that movement an extraordinarily slow one to have been made by an army of 40,000 men almost in the presence of an enemy whose position had to be ascertained step by step?
No sir; I do not consider it an extraordinarily slow one.
Question. It has been observed by some witness in this investigation that the marches were long when the enemy was distant and much shorter when they were near. Do you think that extraordinary?
No, sir; I do not. In approaching an enemy whose position and strength are not fully known, and from whom battle is expected, common prudence would require that he should be approached cautiously until sufficient information had been obtained to warrant a change of such movements with safety.
Question. When an army moves upon a single road is not the movement of the head of the column necessarily slackened to bring the force simultaneously upon the ground when it is expected to meet the enemy?
It must be done, unless the commander would run the hazard of attacking with his force in detail or separately.
Question. Were there any other routes except that by Munfordville by which Bragg's army could have marched into Central Kentucky from Glasgow?
Yes; there are two or three certainly. He could have avoided Munfordville, passing entirely to the eastward of it.
Question. Was it to be supposed that a force of 1,500 men at Munfordville, with no other object than to guard the railroad bridge, which could be replaced in a week, would attempt to oppose the advance of a large army as Bragg commanded?
No sir; I do not think it would.
Question. To leave it there was it not merely offering a bait to the enemy?
Yes, sir; I think it was. My opinion is that the force was sacrificed by being ordered to remain there, when it could have been withdrawn had the commander been allowed to use his discretion.
Question. To leave it there was it not merely offering a bait to the enemy?
Yes, sir; I think it was. My opinion is that the force was sacrificed be being ordered to remain there, when it could have been withdrawn had the commander been allowed to use his discretion.
Question. Do you know whether I had any control over that force or any communication with it?
My understanding at the time we were at Bowling Green was that the force at Munfordville and the post belonged entirely to the command of General Wright and his, and so far as I know there was no official communication between that post and Bowling Green. The only information we got of the position of affairs was from citizens who came from the country and who brought rumors more or less reliable. The orders given to the garrison at that post came from the authorities I have mentioned. Such was my understanding.
Question. Will you state, if you please, the more important particulars of your movements from Corinth to North Alabama and the cause
Page 163 | Chapter XXVIII. GENERAL REPORTS. |