326 Series I Volume XVI-I Serial 22 - Morgan's First Kentucky Raid, Perryville Campaign Part I
Page 326 | KY., M. AND E.TENN.,N.ALA., AND SW.VA. Chapter XXVIII. |
Question. Did you leave Florence in advance of the army?
I think, sir, I did. None of the army had passed over the road that I did.
Question. By what means were supplies forwarded from Reynolds' Station to Athens?
By wagons.
Question. What is the distance by wagon road?
I think 45 miles.
Question. Do you know whether all possible energy and industry were used in the transmission of supplies by this means?
Very frequently wagons had to wait there for the want of supplies coming on the railroad. Supplies did not arrive fast enough at one time to furnish loads for the wagons; at other times two hundred and fifty wagons a day were sent off with supplies when they were there to load into the wagons.
Question. Do you know anything of the cause of this delay and how long it lasted?
My impression is that this delay took place on several occasions. The cause was some difficulty on the railroad; what the origin of that difficulty was I do not remember. On one occasion I remember that the trestle work was burned.
Question. What was it that made it necessary to use wagon transportation between Reynolds' Station and Athens?
Several large bridges and pieces of trestle work were destroyed on the railroad.
Question. Were the troops and bridge parties engaged in repairing these injuries?
They were.
Question. Were they constantly and, as far as you know, industriously engaged in this way?
They were.
Question. What was the condition of the country about Reynolds' Station in regard to supplies, both of forage and provisions for men?
There was no forage there at all, and I think no provisions, but I know nothing positively about that.
Question. How did you get your forage for your animals?
From Louisville or from Nashville; it came on the railroad; sacks of corn and bales of hay.
Question. Were the supplies about there so scarce as to make it absolutely necessary that this means should be resorted to forage your animals?
Yes, sir.
Question. Is Reynolds' Station considered to be within the limits of the most productive region of Tennessee?
Giles County, the county it is in, is said by the citizens there to be one of the richest counties in the State.
Question. What troops did you employ in escorting these wagon trains between the points you have mentioned?
The Second Indiana Cavalry and part of the time the Third Kentucky Cavalry.
Question. Did the movements of the enemy's cavalry make it necessary that you should employ these troops in protecting the supplies?
I thought it necessary and prudent that all the trains should have a strong escort?
Page 326 | KY., M. AND E.TENN.,N.ALA., AND SW.VA. Chapter XXVIII. |