The National tribune., 1906-05-17
OF THE
CUMBERLAND.

tContinued from page ID

invaded the State under Gems. Bragg
and Kirby Smith. Under the command
of Maj Nelson, whose untimely
death cannot be too much deploreI,
these troops had beer organized into
brigades and divisions. and they had
some able and experienced officers in
Gems. Boyle, Jackson, Cruft, Gilbert.
Terrill and others. But the troops were
as yet undisciplined, unprovided with
suitable artillery, and in every way un-
fit for active operations against a dis
ciplined foe. 1t was necessary to reor-
ganize the whole force. This was done
as far as possible by intermixing the
new troops with the old without chang
ing the organization. The troops were
supplied with shoes and other essen
tials. of which they were greatly in
need; among them certain light cook
ing utensils. which the men could carry
and dispense with wagons. the allow
ance of which YVES reduced to one for
each regiment. to carry a few neces-
Sary articles for officers and one for
hospital supplies, besides the ambu-
lances.
THE army was to have marched on
Sept. 80. but an order, which was sub
sequently suspended, relieving me from
the command, delayed the movement
until the following day.
THE army marched on the 1st ulti-
mo in five columns. The left move!
toward Frankfort, to hold in check the
force of the enemy which still remain
ed at or near that place: the other col
umns, marching by different routes.
finally fell respectively into the roads
leading from Shepherdsville. Mount
Washington. Fairfield and Bloomfield to
Bardstewn. where the main force of the
enemy, under Gen. Bragg, was known
to be. These roads converge upon
Bardstown at an angle of about Is de-
greeS from each other.
''Skirmishing with the enemy's cav
airy and artillery marked the movement
of each column from within a few miles
O. Louisville 1t was more stubborn and
formidable near Bardstown; but the
rear of the enemy's infantry retired
from that place eight hours before our
arrival, when his rear guard of cav
airy and artillery retreated after a
sharp engagement with my cavalry. The
pursuit and skirmishing with the enc
my's rear guard continued toward
Springfield.
THE information which I received
indicated that the enemy would concen-
trate his forces at Danville The First
Corps, under Maj.-Gen. McCook, wa
therefore ordered to march from
Bloomfield on Harrodsburg. while the
Second Corps under Maj.-Gen. Critten-
den, moved on the Lebanon and Dan
Vile road, which passes four miles to
the south of Perryville. with a branch
to the latter place. and the Third Corps
on the direct road to Perryville Ny
headquarters moved with the Third Cor
center) Corps. Maj.-Gen. Thomas, sec
ond in command, accompanied the Sec
ond Cor righD Corps After leaving
BardstOwn / learned that the force of
Kirby Smith had crossed to the west
side of the Kentucky River near Sal
10 aoa woe
to concentrate either at Harrodsburg
or Perryville. Gen. McCook's route was
therefore changed from Harrodsburg to
Perryville.
1.-The center corps arrived on the af-
ternoon of the 7th. and was drawn up
in order of battle about three miles
from Perryvilie, where the enemy ap-
peared to be in force. The advance
guard. under Capt. Gay. consisting of
cavalry and artillery. supported toward
evening by two regiments Of infantry,
pressed successfully upon the enemys
rear guard to within two miles of the
town against a somewhat stubborn op-
position.
THE whole army had for three days
or more suffered from a scarcity of
water. The last day particularly the
troops and animals suffered exceeding
ly for the want of it and from hot
weather and dusty roads In the bed
lin River. about two and a half miles
from Perryville, some pools of water
were discovered, which the enemy
showed determination to prevent US
from gaining possession of. The Thirty
sixth Brigade. under the command of
Col. Daniel McCook. from Gen. Sheri-
dams Division. was ordered forward to
seize and hold a commanding position
which covered these pools. It execut-
ed the orders that night, and a supply
of bad water was secured for the
troops.
"On discovering that the enemy was
concentrating for battle at Perryville,
| sent orders on the night of
the 7th to Gen. McCook and Gen.
Crittenden to march at O'Clock
the following morning. so as to take
position respectively as early as possi-I
corps the commanders themselves to
report in person for orders on their
arrival. my intention being to make the
attack that day if possible. The orders
did not reach Gen. McCook until 2:30
o'clock, and he marched at 5.
1.-The Second Corps. failing to find
water at the place where it was ex-
pected to encamp the night of the 7th.
had to move off the road for that pur-
pose. and consequently was some six
miles or more farther off than it would
otherwise have been. The orders did
not reach it in time. and these two
causes delayed its arrival several hours
Still, it was far enough advanced to
Sth if the necessity for It had been
known early enough"
ITO be continued.)