Today in History:

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

Page 539 Chapter XXVIII. GENERAL REPORTS.

o'clock at night and can you be positive that General Wood's division did not march at that hour?

I cannot remember positively that I was ordered to march at 12 o'clock that night. I do remember that one of my divisions could not march at the hour designated in the order, and I think it was because the commissary had failed to furnish us with supplies.

Question. Can you remember, with reference to the hour appointed to march, at what time it was known that the rebel army was retreating to Camp Dick Robinson?

I cannot, sir; my best recollection is that I did not know myself when I marched that the rebel army was retreating to Camp Dick Robinson.

Question. State, if you please, general, as briefly as possible, the more important particulars of the pursuit as far as it was continued.

Very soon after leaving Danville we skirmished with the rebel cavalry continually, but nothing like a serious engagement. We had no difficulty in driving them along on the march till we reached Crab Orchard. There they made more resistance than at any previous point, so much so as to make it prudent, in my judgment, to send a brigade in advance to drive them along. On the march I heard pretty considerable firing over toward Lancaster, which was on my left, and which made us rather cautious in our approach to Crab Orchard, as there was a road running into that place from Lancaster. I suppose we were delayed only an hour or two at Crab Orchard, and from there on as far as the enemy pursued by my troops-and they were in advance-we had no serious engagement. The nature of the country was such as to enable very few men with light guns, such as the cavalry had, always to impede our progress. In addition to other difficulties placed before us with their guns, and taking advantage of extraordinary passes through this broken country, they also obstructed our way by cutting down trees and gave us a good deal of work by tearing up the road. I went as far as Wild Cat with my command. I sent one brigade within 2 or 3 miles of London. I also sent a brigade from Wild Cat to Manchester, or the vicinity of Manchester, to destroy some salt works there, and where we scattered a considerable force and took some provisions and pursued them and took 200 head of very fine cattle. The country is barren, and we had some difficulty in keeping the animals from perishing for want of something to eat. The brigade had been sent from Wild Cat by a cross-road which runs from the road leading from Wild Cat to London to the road running from Richmond to London.

Question. Were there any side roads, or was the character of the country off the main roads such the movements could be made to intercept the enemy, or were you obliged to pursue the main roads which the enemy followed?

There is no road by which the enemy could be pursued except the main road, nor is there any road by which they could have been intercepted.

Question. After discontinuing the pursuit was your corps ordered to Glasgow and did it proceed to that point under my orders?

I was ordered there and I proceeded there.

Question. Can you state the date of your arrival there?

I cannot.

Question. From your knowledge of all the circumstances under which Kentucky was invaded by the rebel forces last summer what was your judgment, and what is your judgment now as to the probability that that invasion was intended for the purpose of holding the State permanently and as to the presumption that that object was not to be abandoned without a serious struggle?

From the Time I knew the magnitude of the force with which the rebels had invaded Kentucky I never doubted at all that they intended to hold the State if it could possibly be done and that they would fight for it. Perhaps it would be wrong to say I never doubted it, for when they began to retreat I thought perhaps that their hearts had failed; but my impression, certainly up to Perryville, was that they intended to fight; but when they commenced their retreat there I may have possibly


Page 539 Chapter XXVIII. GENERAL REPORTS.