[CHAP. XXVIII.

until a late hour in the morning; perhaps between 9 and 10 o'clock. We, however, heardfiring a little after sunrise; there was skirmishing upon our right; there were also one or two rounds of artillery, but from the conformation of the ground I could got tell the direction of the artillery. The position I then had not being a good one I advanced to the front without orders, taking a commanding position, from which I had a good view of the surrounding country. From this position bodies of cavalry could be seen to the front; we could not see whether they were our own troops or those of the enemy. By my glass I could see that they had on a blue uniform similar to our own. Not knowing what troops they were, I sent word to the rear for information and orders. These troops, after halting a short time in front of us, filed off to the right toward the direction of Harrodsburg. We could distinguish no infantry to a certainty, but a body of troops on the left could be seen, which were supposed to be infantry, and which also filed off in the direction of Harrodsburg. I sent back to General Wood to the place where he was expected to be found and reported all these circumstances. The messenger returned, stating that he could not be found at that point. This was about one hour after sunrise.

Sometime after this Captain Lennard, aide to General Wood, came to the front, stating that the Sixth Division was ordered back to the reserve. I reported to him what we had seen. He replied that we were too far in the advance; that we had exceeded our orders; and that it was General Wood's orders to fall back, taking a position in the rear of the division on our right to the left of the Fifteenth Brigade, resting upon the Perryville and Lebanon road. We fell back as ordered, having troops resting on our right. We were halted about 2 1/2 miles from Perryville and awaited further orders. Some time in the afternoon we received orders to proceed to the springs near Perryville; took up the line of march, and arrived there late in the afternoon and encamped. The springs were but a short distance, about half a mile, beyond Perryville, near the road leading from Perryville to Harrodsburg.

Question. Did you see any infantry on the morning of the 9th?

In my answer to the preceding question I stated that we could distinguish a body of troops that were supposed to be infantry, but could not tell for a certainty.

Question. Did any infantry move off on the Danville road or any troops you supposed to be infantry?

No, sir.

Question. Did your brigade form a part of the right corps?

Yes, sir.

Question. What part of the line of that corps did it occupy?

The Sixth Division formed the left of the line. My own brigade had a central position in the division.

Question. What time did you get into camp on the night of the 9th?

I stated at a late hour in the afternoon; some time before sunset.

Question. What movement did you make on the following day?

The Sixth Division moved off to the right of the Perryville and Harrodsburg road and halted at a place known as Cecil Farm, about equidistant from the towns of Danville, Perryville, and Harrodsburg.

Question. Did you make any movement on the 11th?

My brigade was ordered to make a reconnaissance in the direction of Harrodsburg. I proceeded in that direction, leaving camp between 8 and 9 o'clock. My orders were to approach as near Harrodsburg as I could with safety; the enemy was supposed to be in force at that place. I reached a point on the Danville and Harrodsburg road about 2 1/2 miles from Harrodsburg, skirmishing slightly with the enemy's cavalry all the way from about a mile from where we encamped in the morning until we reached Harrodsburg, the rear of the enemy's cavalry having left the town on our approach. It was after 1 o'clock that I reached the town. I received positive orders from General Thomas not to bring on an engagement, as he thought the enemy was there in force.

Question. Were in instructions of General Thomas distinct and impressive with respect to the presence of the enemy in force at Harrodsburg?

They were decidedly so.