The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-12-02
THE CAMPAIGN IN KENTUCKY

A correspondent of the Richmond Wing gives
Kentucky under Gen. Bragg
In my comments on the course pursued by
General Bragg, [ am in no way governed by the
slightest prejudice, and SHALL therefore, snothing
eztenuate, nor aught set down in malice
There are but two points in the campaign of
General Bragg's army to Kentucky that open
to criticism, and the people must judge of the
facts themselves. 1t is certain that the forced
march of his troops from Chattanooga and their
return by Cumberland Gap-a distance of over
500 mies-s unprecedented in the history Of
warfare. Many of those troops were barefooted,
and left their bloody footprints on the stones in
the march. They fought the battle Of PerryvIe
barefooted, and returned barefooted, besides suf-
fering other hardships of the seyerest character,
without q murmur
The first point for consideration is, what could
have induced Gen. Bragg to make forced march
of his army, which consisted of 30 900 of the best
troops in the world, in order to head Gen. Buell.,
whose forces consisted Of but p 900 men, and after
having gained the advance, not to have awaited
himself of the advantage of his position, by COM
polling BUELL. to fight him? His army was pant
ing for the fray, and it is said bis Generals
selled battle. The plea of the want of subsistence
conflict, and turning off from the road to Louis
ville after the capture Of Mumfordsville, he took
the pike to Bardstown, where he remained fifteen
days, leaving Buell. to proceed on to Louisville I'M
molested, fill up his regiments, and reorganize an
army of $50 900 meni In the meantime, it is
stated that Gen. Bragg confidently anticipated be-
ing Joined by 10000 Kentuckians, when but
10000 only had volunteered, and he threatened
to enforce the Conscript Law to compel them to
join ranks. 1t is but justice to the true
Southern people of Kentucky to state, that it was
hardly to be expected they should rise mosse
and take up arms in our cause, without some guar
antee that they would be protected and sustained
in the future They had already suffered severe
ly by the raids of Colonel Jno Morgan, especially
the people of Bourbon county, upon whom had
been levied tax of sl80,0OO, to make up for
Union mems losses, because they had given cup
Of water meal Of victuals to one of Morgans
men, Besides this, their wives, sisters, mothers
and daughters had been seized and dragged to the
prisons Of Louisville, and many loyal man sent
to Camp Chase for his Southern sympathies.
Was it not natural, therefore, that they should
wait to see whether Gen. Bragg would give evil
dence of his power to protect them, by crushing
Buell's army, and his ability to hold Kentucky,
before they should again subject themselves to
bitter persecution ana utter ruin?
In the meantime General Bragg proceeded to
Lexington, and preparations were made for the
of Governor Halves at Frankfort,
which proved but splendid farce, for hardly was
the ceremony completed when the enemy threat
ened the State Capitol, and the Governor had to
flee from his approach The army at Bardstown
was then marched to lIarrodsburg, and one divis-
ion of it, General Withers', sent to SaIvisa to re-
inforce Gen Kirby Smith, and cut off Gen. Sill's
division. Hardec's and Buckner's divisions were
marched to Perryville, leaving General Cheathams
at Harrodsburg, but which came up to Perryville
on the nj ght of the It'll. before the fight With
ers failed to intercept Gen. Stills division, but
captured the rear guard, consisting of $50 men,
with an ammunition train, and on the morning of
the 9th General Withers' and General Kirby
Smiths forces reached HarEodsburg.
The second point for consideration is, what
could have induced General Bragg, with his
troops thus divided, to bring on a battle with
General Buel's forces, consisting of overwhelming
numbers, and on line of railroad, whereby he
could be continually reinforced when Gen Bragg
had previously refused to give Buell. battle under
far more favorable circumstances? Notwithstand-
ing the superiority of numbers, Bragg's veteran
heroes had driven back the foe and won spen-
did victory, and 1t is generally admitted had
Withers division been up, we would have com
Pio'NAJ ioo'oU 'HS oHo"J. VII Tue HlSnC OF Lne
9Th, as the battle closed the enemy was still more
largely reinforced and we were, consequently,
forced to fall back to Harrodsburg on the morning
Of the 9th, where forces being joined it is said
Gen. Kirby Smith insisted on making stand, and
cried because he was overruled. The brunt of the
battle of Perryville was borne by General Cheat
hams gallant Tennesseans. Notroops ever fought
with greater bravery, and while not disparacing
others who fought equally as well, this is but a
Just tribute to the heroic sons of Tennessee, who
have been previously accused of not standing up
10 the foe. The 9th was principally occupied by
both sides burying their dead under flag of
truce, sent to us by the enemy On the 10Th, all
our forces fell back to Camp Breckinridge, (Dick
Roblnson,) the cavalry holding the enemy in
check at Danville.
1t was now determined that the whole army
should make its exodus from Kentucky, and in
order to secure the immense quantity of captured
stores, goods, clothing, &C., much Of which had
also been purchased, with some 5000 head of cat
tie, horses, mules, &c, that the retreat should
commence on the night of the 18th On that
day, Sunday, orders were received TO cook four
days rations for the march. Major General Nc.
Gown, with General billiards Legion, and cav
airy force aud artillery, was ordered to defend
Fishing ford, across Dicks river, and command
ug the road to camp Breckenridge in our rear,
% the last extremity. In connection with the
history ofour retreat an incident happened which
saved our whole wagon train from being cut off.
The enemy suspectlng our retreat, had sent for |
ward two columns, one in the direction Of Stan |
ord, and the other towards Lancaster, but after
wards, fearing ruse- on our part the colnmn |