'.'f-'B^^fiTT^nr^: ¦i/;B;;(tTjH^ •.:*? ^,'} .'i'i'.-i.'r'. »i I it s ^ Js% . "July 22, 1863. j "There was a sound of cavalry at dawn. And sudden springing out of pleasant beds. As Morgan's 'rebs' came galloping upon These roads, in quest of horses swift and fine. A thousand fists were doubled up, and when Horses came out of each man's stable-door, Mad eyes flashed fire to eyes, etc. " You are aware that we have seen them ; enter tained them (unwUhngly) in our houses ; that our sta bles have been plundered; that a part of the harvest remains m the field, without horses, except the jaded, sore-backed, bony, lame ones, which Morgan traded us, to brmg it to the barns. On Tuesday, the 14th instant, at early dawn, the mhabitants hereabout were aroused from slumber by the clattering of hoofs upon the stony pike, and the clanking of stirrups (I sup pose, as I didn't see any sabers or the like). On peeping through the window, I recognized them im mediately as secesh, from their hard looks, their clothes of many colors and fashions, and their man ner of riding. They did not ride in any kmd of order, unless it was disorder. As many as could, rode abreast. Some galloped, some trotted, and others 156 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. allowed their horses to walk slowly wMle they slept m the saddles. They were not uniformly dressed. Some wore a whole suit of the well-known blue wMch designates our soldiers; others had part of a suit, but most of them were arrayed in citizens' garb. Some were barefooted, some bareheaded, and one, I no ticed, wore a huge green vail. Probably he was ashamed of his company, and took tMs method to conceal Ms grim visage while in the presence of de cent people. Some wore jackets outside of their coats, as though they had dressed in a hurry. Perhaps their keen ears had detected the sound of Hobson's cavalry behind. Some had ladies' gaiters, dress-pat terns, and the like, protruding from their pockets ; and one bootless, hatless, shirtless being held his suspend- erless pants with one hand, while he held the bridle with the other, and heeled Ms horse to a gallop. "Well, I had not continued my rebel-gazing long before one of them dismounted and wanted 'yester day's paper, if you please.' . I could n't see it ! Very soon the house, yard, barn, and fields were overflowing with ' Southern chivalry.' They were evidently very tired and sleepy, and, judging from their questions to MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 157 each other, 'How far do you think the blue-jackets are behmd?' I should say as much frightened as we were. 'How far is it to Cincinnati?' and 'Have you yesterday's paper?' were the principal ques tions asked. In some houses of tMs vicinity, they turned over beds, peeped into cellars, cupboards, drawers, closets, and even babies' cradles, in search of arms, ammunition, 'greenbacks,' and sich, while others were not disturbed. They helped themselves very liberally to such eatables as could be found, besides ordering the women to prepare more. Of course, they took horses. They just gobbled up every body's, ex cept — weU, perhaps his were lame, blind, or fractious. GeneraUy, they made no distmction between the prop erty of Copperheads and that of ' Abohtionists,' as they caU aU unconditional Union men. 'Cause why? They eitfeer did not Tcnow their friends, or else they consid ered the Northern Butternuts beneath the respect of Southern rebels, horse-tMeves, freebooters, guerrillas, or whatever else they may caU themselves. The main body, as you already know, passed tMough Glendale on Monday mght, or at an early hour on Tuesday mormng, and from thence to SharonviUe. They did 158 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. not pass tM-ough Reading, as was stated in Wednes day's issue of the Commercial, but struck the Plainfield pike, about one mile south of SharonviUe, wMch they followed about three miles ; then, taking the dirt road east, by the Mount Carmel Church, to the Montgom ery pike, one-half mile south of the village of Mont gomery, they passed tMough that town, invitmg them selves to horses and breakfast, as they did elsewhere. "A young farmer, George McGee by name, residing near Montgomery, made a brilliant dash among them, fired, and slightly hilled one, though not altogether! Another farmer, Mr. Landenburg, residing near Sha ronviUe, fired upon them, and wounded one of their number. He was captured, but released after having enjoyed a ride of a few mUes with the 'cMvahy.' Most persons in this part of the world considered dis cretion the better part of valor, and held their temper until the last mvader had vanished. Like a sudden clap of thunder came Morgan among us, and passed off to the east like a meteor, leaving the natives gazing after him in stupefied horror, rubbing their eyes, and wondermg whether it was all the dream of a night mare, or a reahty. Quite a number of men and boya MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 159 followed m Morgan's train — ^keeping a safe distance behind, however — hoping to recover their stolen horses. One old Pennsylvania Dutchman, who resides in this neighborhood, by some means, lost but one of his horses ; he mounted the other and hastily pursued the flying secesh. When near Batavia, he mingled a lit tle too closely with them, as may be proved from the fact that they took the horse he rode, with saddle and bridle. It is told that he gave vent to his enraged feelings by saying to the ' reb ' who took his horse : ' That is my horse ; I wish him good luck ; I wish he preak your neckl' 'What's that?' thundered secesh. ' I wish my horse good luck ; I wish he preak your neck!' repeated the candid German. 'Reb' rode on. It is said that certain Butternut individuals, whom I might name, shouted for Vallandigham, and ' Glory to God, Morgan 's come ! ' on the approach of the reb els — all of which I can not positively assert to be true. " T(5 sum up the whole thing, Morgan's aim was evidently not fight, but horse-stealing. "Union." 160 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. "Camp Dennison, Wakd 19, July 22. "During the period of several days prior to Tues day, Colonel Neff, the mUitary commandant of this post, anticipated a visit from the bandits, and took the necessary precaution to have rifle-pits constructed upon the different approaches to the camp. There being rumors on Monday evening of the near approach of Morgan, early on Tuesday morning, the .¦14th, Col onel Neff dispatched a company of axmen on the road leading from Glendale to MUford, passing the lower or south end of the camp, for the purpose of felling two or three hundred trees a little beyond the rifle-pits, about three miles from the camp, wMch served the double purpose of obstructmg the road and forming a protection to the rifle-pits. " At the same time all the convalescents capable of bearing a gun, numbering about six hundred, who were previously armed and each furnished with twenty rounds of cartridges, were posted on the hill "south west of the hospital, at points commanding the road, to dispute the passage of the rebels mto camp, m the event of their forcirg a passage over the abatis and rifle-pits. MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 161 " Simultaneously with the completion of the abatis by the company of axmen, or engineer corps, the van guard of the rebel marauders made their appearance, and, finding the route impracticable, or attended with great difficulty, retreated, passing around the west side of Camp Dennison, and through MiamivUle, about a mile above the Colonel's head-quarters, while the main body of the rebels crossed the railroad about two miles further up, tearing up the track, burning a train, etc. " It was evidently the intention of the marauders to pass through Milford, it being the nearest and most direct route to Camp Shady, three miles east of this camp, for the purpose of capturing the government mules, about twelve hundred in number, and burning the government wagons. Colonel Neff had ordered the transportation of the mules and wagons to Cin cinnati for safety, very wisely anticipating the designs of the rebels. The train commenced moving about three o'clock A. M., and continued until after eleven o'clock A. M., passing through Milford; and had it not beon for tho foresight and precaution of the com manding Colonel, in the '•"m'^^al of the government 162 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. property and constructing of the rifle-pits and abatis, thereby obstructing their passage through Milford, the marauders would have intercepted the long train of teams in their passage, appropriated the mules and burned the wagons, as they did, in the afternoon, forty or flfty they found at Camp Shady, in consequence of the Colonel not being able to procure a sufficient number of teamsters. "Between seven and eight o'clock in the morning, information having been received at head-quarters that the rebels were above here, measures were adopted by Colonel Neff to guard the northern passes, and, if possible, to protect the Little Miami Railroad bridge, by arming and detailing the state militia, who we/-o constantly arriving, one company of whom was posted at the bridge; and a squad of convalescent soldiers crossed the bridge and engaged with the rebels in a skirmishing fight immediately south-east of the bridge, on an open woodland on the river hill. The skirmishing continued from eight o'clock until eleven A. M. The rebel loss was six killed and sev eral wounded, one of whom has since died. Om- loss was one convalescent soldier MUed. MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 163 " The horse of one of the rebels was shot under him, and having faUen on him, and being unable to ex tricate himself, he was captured and brought to head quarters a prisoner. Six others were captured and brought in; one of whom was made a prisoner and brought in by four contrabands, who were jubUant over the achievement, having, in their estimation, im mortalized themselves, and rendered their names im perishable in the history of the rebellion. " This skirmish, together with the appearance of a large force in the rear, in all probability saved the railroad bridge from destruction, and the eastern (or military) division of the camp from a raid by the rebel bandits. " At an early hour in the morning Colonel Neff put into operation all necessary preliminary measures, upon the event of the rebels effecting an entrance, by sending to Cincinnati articles of value from the camp, among which were the surgical instruments and ex tensive articles of medicine from the drug-store, the important records, the contents of the post-office of value, the iron safe from the hospital head-quarters, containing a large amount of money belonging to sol- U 164 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. diers and others, eto. The public can not but accord to Colonel Neff great credit for the energy and effi ciency with which he used the limited means at his command, for the defense and protection of govern ment property and Camp Dennison. 'Give honor to whom honor is due.' J. L. Myers, " Camp Dennison, Ward 19." Little else occurred during the march of Morgan through OMo that is worthy of % record in tMs wori, untU the baittle of Buffington Island. An account of this battle and some other matters of the raid wiU be found m the following letter, and wiU be read with in terest. We, however, wiU inform the reader, that a fuller and more authentic account of tMs affair and the subsequent events of the raid will be found in the sketches of Morgan's capture, which follow : ' Parkersburg, West Va., July 21, 1863. " Having just returned from a little trip to see the elephant, in the shape of John Morgan and his gang, I avaU myself of a few leisure moments to tell you what was seen. MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 165 "About noon, of Saturday, the citizens of this place were startled with the intelligence that Morgan was at Coolville, distant about fourteen miles. Cap tain Barringer, C. S., A. A. Q. M., and, at that time, commanding officer of the post, being desirous to learu the truth of the report, furnished fresh horses, and, with the man who brought the rumor, I started on a scout. A quick ride of seven miles brought us to the mouth of Little Hocking, where Lieutenant W. Cor vine, of Gen Cox's staff, was stationed, in command of about eight hundred militia, guarding the ford at the foot of Blennerhassett Island. Here we learned that the rumor had no foundation, and, having made a short stay, we rode on to Coolville, where we met scouts who reported positively that, after some skirm ishing near Pomeroy, Morgan was advancing on that road, and was not, probably, more than fifteen miles distant. "A messenger was dispatched to ReadvUle, with an order from Lieutenant Corvine, to remove all barges from the Ohio shore to a point three miles below, on the Virginia side. We then started to meet other scouts, who, we learned, were coming on the road 166 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. ahead of us. Just before reacMng Tuper's Plains we saw a smoke rising from the direction of Chestei, and met scouts who were fired on by the rebels en tering that place. The road between CoolvUle and Chester had been well barricaded by felling trees in all the hollows, where it would be impossible to pass at the side with artillery or wagons. These barricades would each have detained the enemy a half hour or more in removal, and would thus have been so much time gained by our forces in pursuit. " Going within four mUes of Chester, we met other scouts vfho reported Morgan en route to Buffington, having just left the former place after a halt of an hour and a half. They had burned a bridge and mUl on leaving, and seemed to have a perfect knowledge of all the roads barricaded, and the surrounding country. We then turned our horses' heads for Coolville, where we arrived about eight o'clock P. M. About midmght scouts came in, reporting our advance as having passed through Chester in pursuit, and that the rebels had halted near Buffington. " At daybreak, Sunday, we mounted and started to join our forces, if possible, and be present during tho MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 167 battle, should they come up with the enemy. We had little fear of Morgan's crossing the river, as we knew of several gun-boats on the look-out for them there. Hurrying rapidly forward, we reached Chester as the last of Shackelford's division was passing through. " Rapid cannonading was distmctly heard from the front, but as none of Shackelford's artUlery had come up, we knew it was from the gun-boats and the artil lery under Hobson, who, with Judah, had cut across to the river, and, in conjunction with the gun-boats, were defeating Morgan's attempts to cross at Buffing ton Ford. Shackelford's division, having advanced on the road taken by the rebels, rendered their retreat impossible, unless they scattered and found their way out of the woods in small squads. It must be borne in mmd that there was no road up the river, and their only chance of escape in that direction was by run ning the gantlet of the gun-boats in going along the river shore. Forcing t)ur tired horses to their best, we reached the field of Shackelford's operations just m time to witness a splendid saber charge made by two regiments, the number of which I do not know, under the command of Colonel Wolford. 168 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. " The ground was very MUy and thickly wooded, with but few open fields. The rebels were formed to resist the charge, but as the perfect line in which our boys advanced dashed on them, they broke and scat tered like sheep, without firing a shot. Owing to the nature of the ground where this division was engaged, the battle was, with the exception of the charge men tioned, almost a continual skirmish. " The First Kentucky Cavalry were in the woods, constantly sending prisoners to the rear. About half-past ten o'clock A. M., word was brought that the rebels were advancing in force up the road. The artiUery not having arrived. General Shackelford sent back, ordering it up at double-quick, and formed the rest of his division in a line somewhat advanced from his former position. We had learned of the capture of all the enemy's artUlery, by the forces under Hob son and Judah, at the river. In the early part of the day one of our pieces had been captured by the rebels, which was retaken with all theirs. "A few minutes after the line was formed, a flag of truce was discovered coming from the wood on the other side of the clearing, opposite where we were MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 169 awaitmg their advance. General Shackelford rode on to meet it, and when witMn a few yards, waved it back, shouting, '/ will accept of no terms but un conditional surrender? The flag-bearers immediately wheeled and rode to the pomt from whence they came. Nothing more occurred until the tramp of a large body of horse could be heard coming on the road toward us, and a moment afterward the rebels emerged from the woods, quietly ridmg up to our Unes, and, fihng by in fi-ont, were disarmed, dismounted, and sent to the rear. TMee regiments, or aU that was left of them — for they barely averaged a hundred men each — were thus taken prisoners. We had now about four hundred in all, taken by Shackelford's division — ^Dick Morgan, a brother of John, and Major EUiott, Mor gan's Staff Commissary, being among the captured. Colonel Cole, his Inspector-General, was taken by our troops at the river. Elhott is a Pennsylvanian by birth, but has long resided in the South. In a con versation I afterward had with him, he stated that he was not an original secessionist, but, after the ordi nance had passed, had gone into the army from a sense of duty, believing their cause was right. But a 170 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. few moments before, he had burned fifty -five thousand doUars of Confederate scrip, retainmg about twelve hundred, which he handed to Colonel Jacobs. I heard it said that Dick Morgan wept like a child at being captured, but can not vouch for the truth of the re- Drt. " Where they entered the road from the woods the ground was strewn with sabers, pistols, and dry goods enough to almost stock SMUito or Hopkins. They had taken all the greenbacks they had, and, tearing them up, scattered them around, for fear our men would search them — a policy they always practice. Some of them were searched; and a rebel cairtain, going up to General Shackelford, asked him if such proceedings were countenanced by him. ' No, sir,' was the reply. ' It is in direct disobedience of orders, notwithstanding you authorized it at Lebanon? The captive 'reb' walked off in silence. " Their cartridge-boxes were searched, and found empty, some of their ammunition having been thrown away, though they were undoubtedly short of it. The remainder of the force was scattered through the woods in all directions, trying to make their way out. MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 171 Scouts coming in reported a force of about fifteen hun dred, mostly got together from the small squads wan dering about, makmg their way toward Tuper's Plains, An order being received from General Hobson for the prisoners to be sent to the river, a sufficient guard was left for that purpose, and the division moved to inter cept their retreat. The prisoners acknowledged their forces as utterly demoralized and seeking escape. Many of them were anxious to surrender, and I heard them say they only cared to get away, that they might remain north of the OMo River, where, they say, they have passed through the best country they ever saw. The force reported was under command of Morgan himself, who was evidently using every exertion to avoid another fight with our troops. " TaMng a short route tMough Adams's Mills, we reached Tuper's Plains to find the rebels two miles nearer the river, on a road about a mile east. Our artUlery had advanced with the Forty-fifth Ohio, and taken a position within a mUe of them. The command advanced at double-quick, and halted as they came up to the artiUery. Some two hundred and fifty mounted mihtia, armed with rifies and shot-guns, had joined us 16 172 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. at Adams's MiUs, and were ordered to advance on a road diverging from our position in a south-easterly direction. A reconnoissance by the General and a small body of troops discovered the picket of the rebels, some two hundred strong, posted about half a mile from our forces. Scouts were sent out, and, on their return, reported the main body some half-mUe further on, at a point where the road was intersected by the Humphrey's Ford road, and south-west of us. Immediately on the receipt of tMs intelligence. Gen eral Shackelford proceeded to dispose his troops in such a manner as to render the ultimate capture of the whole force certain, should they remain but an hour longer in their present position. Scarcely, how ever, had the first order been given, when a heavy dust on the Humphrey's Ford road announced their de parture. It was then after sundown, and, in the full knowledge that he could not cross the river, and the fact that our troops had traveled all the night before, men and horses being alike worn out. General Shackel ford gave the order to sleep on arms, and be ready to continue the pursuit at daybreak the ne.^t mornino-. "About one o'clock A.M., scouts came m, report- MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 173 ing that, after a short halt at Humphrey's Fofd, ilor- gan had taken a road leading two miles east of Tup er's Plains, and gone on toward Athens. A force was immediately ordered in pursuit. Shortly after daybreak the scouts reported that he was then at Fish's Mills, four mUes north of us, and had turned toward the river in the direction of WUkesville, Pome roy, or Racme, either of which fords he could reach, had they not been sufficiently protected. But tMs was not what was wanted, for, although it was certain he could not cross at either place, hii capture was the mam thing, and the whole division was immediately started m pursuit. " Our horses bemg thoroughly vovn out, we were compeUed to turn them toward home, which we did with much reluctance. We had experienced much Mndness from General Shackelford and staff, as well as from Colonels Wolford and Jacobs, and the other officers whom we met. They aU, as well as their men, desire the capture of Morgan a? much as f Ohio. They have followed him, without j-est, for twenty-three days, and have no thought of abandoning the pursmt untU its object is accomphshed. Dic^." 174 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. With the foUowing incidents we close tMs ch.ipter: Lieutenant Adams, of Morgan's band, with a squad of his confederates, after burning a bridge north of Salem, went to a Quaker farmer's house, and asked for some milk. The Friend demurely accompanied the Lieutenant to the spring-house, and told him to help himself and his men. While drinking the mUk, the following conversation occurred : Lieut. Adams. "You 're a Quaker, ain't you?" Friend (very soberly). "Yea." Lieut. A. " Then, you 're an Abolitionist ? " Friend (more soberly than ever). "Yea." Lieut. A. (fiercely). "A stanch Union man?" Friend, (emphatically). "Yea." Lieut. A. (after a pause). "Got any Butternuts around here ? " Friend. "Yea." Lieut. A. " Then, why don't you hang them? We have a way of choking such people down our way ! " The foUowing incident is a striking contrast of that just related: • morgan and his captors. 175 "When the advance-guard of Morgan's rebel cavalry were in the vicinity of Pomeroy, Meigs County, Ohio, on the mormng of Saturday, July 18, they committed a deliberate and most unprovoked murder on the per son of Dr. William N. Hudson, a venerable citizen, aged seventy-four years. The circumstances were briefly as follows : Dr. Hudson had just returned from secretmg Ms horse, when he heard a neighbor, under the influence of hquor, shoutmg and making some disturbance, and immediately started to quiet him. WhUe on Ms way across the field, he heard the clatter of horsemen on the road, and, turning to look, was in stantly shot down, the baU passing tMough the groin and tMgh, breaking the bone at the joint. From tMs wound he died on the foUowing Wednesday. "Dr. Hudson had no weapons about his person, and had for years kept none. Bent by age and infirmity, he could have made no serious resistance, had he been so disposed; yet these evident facts secured him no mercy at the hands of the murderers. " During the two hours that the advance-guard rested near Dr. Hudson's, the rebel heutenant who ordered him shot was in the house with others, ran- 176 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. . Backing it for valuables, wMle his victim lay panting for life. Seeming to think some apology for his bar barity needful, he remarked that ' he did n't know he was such an old man.' One asked of Dr. Hudson's granddaughter: ' You are all Abolitionists here, are n't you?' The question suggested the probability that a notorious Copperhead of that county, who was a willing guide for Morgan, had pointed out Dr. Hudson as a suitable person on whom to vent theu- murderous spleen. "Dr. Hudson was born in Goshen, Conn., in 1789, and, when a lad of ten years, came with his father to the Western Reserve, to the present town of Hudson, Summit County. About 1812 he returned to the East, and took a thorough course of medical study. This profession he successfully pursued during the rest of his life — a period of more than fifty years. He was characterized by unimpeachable integrity -and firmness of purpose. He knew no fear ; opposition and perse cution served but to confirm him in the practice of the right and the advocacy of the truth. Long before the origm of the old Liberty Party he was an Aboli tionist; and, when that party originated, he voted that MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 177 ticket alone, in Manchester, Adams County, Ohio, amid threats of violence to his person and property. Be lieving in the inalienable right of human beings to ' life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,' he never faile(f. to befriend the fugitive from bondage, and to guide Mm toward the North Star. Being thus, for a long period, a hving witness against popular sins in Church and State, it seems not ina.j)propriate that he should providentially suffer martyrdom at the instiga tion of the vUe demon of slaveholding, which he had so long fought. His death was peaceful and happy. For months previous, Ms letters breathed the spirit of one ripe for heaven, and his dj^ing message to his absent sons was 'to meet him there.' " Dr. Hudson's will contains one noteworthy provis ion. It is tMs : that, after the death of his wife, one- half the proceeds of his estate shall be paid into the Treasury of the Umted States, provided that slavery shaU, at that time, have been abolished in ah parts of tMs land. 178 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. CHAPTER VII. THE PURSUIT AND CAPTURE OF MORGAN — HIS IMPRISONMENT AND ESCAPE. E find a description of the pursuit and capture of Morgan in the Louisville Journal of October 14, 1863. This general description presents a striMng word-picture of these events, and, for tMs reason, we copy it in these pages. The author participated in the pursuit and capture, and was, therefore, competent to write as he has on this subject. For a fuller and more particular description, the reader is referred to the sketches of Morgan's captors, wMch foUow in this work : " Though time has passed since the raid of Morgan into the states of Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio, and his subsequent capture, I have thought that a short history of the pursuit would not be uninteresting to your readers. About the 20th of June I received or ders from Brigadier-General Hobssn to have my regi- MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 179 ment in readiness to leave Columbia for Tompkinsville at a moment's notice. Well convinced, by experience, of the importance of Columbia as a position to defend Kentucky from a threatening enemy who was on the south bank of the Cumberland, I freely expressed to the General my fears of going so far as Tompkins ville. I said : ' We are tMowing open a gate of ninety miles; Morgan is making a femt to draw us off; the moment he succeeds he will cross at BurksvUle, pass through Columbia, capture Colonel Hanson and his command, and, if he has the courage, will capture the city of LouisvUle and sack it before we can retrieve our error and overtake him.' General Hobson fully coincided with me as to the error of the movement, but had to obey the order, as it came from a superior in point of position. Frequently on om- march did we expiess our fears, and predict what did take place, from leavmg so long a line exposed. On his own re- sponsibUity, he left Ms mfantry at Ray's Cross-roads to defeat, if possible, any attempt of the enemy to cross at BurksviUe, being well convinced that he would attempt to cross the Cumberland at that point. Vv''ith his cavalry he occupied Tompkinsville. Here, I sup- 180 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. pose. General Judah, seeing his error, ordered him back to Marrowbone, stiU nearer to BurksviUe than the Cross-roads. The unnecessary and useless march had much decreased the efficiency of our cavalry. On tlie second day of July I was ordered by General Hob son to send two hundred men, under a competent officer, if possible, to go into BurksviUe. I sent Cap tain Hardin, an officer I had every confidence in. They soon fell in with the pickets of the enemy, and drove them six miles. Being overwhelmed here by superior forces of the enemy, they were forced to re treat, fighting all the way back, often hand to hand. A courier requested me to form in line of battle. I had only some ninety men with me, the rest being all on duty. The retreating men galloped gallantly into line when they came up, and, with a shout, we dashed on the enemy, who soon gave way. They made tMee desperate dashes at our short line, but a well-directed fire drove them back each time. After this, a few well- directed shots from the battery gave them a final re pulse. Three of my men, whose horses gave out on the retreat, were forced to surrender, and, after that, were brutally shot. Two of the three died. MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 181 "General Hobson, now convinced that the enemy were in force at BurksviUe, dispatched a courier to Brigadier-General Shackelford, whose command was at the Cross-roads. With great alacrity this efficient officer brought his command forward. Early the next morning they started a strong command of infantry, cavalry, and artillery to a point on the BurksviUe and Columbia road. A courier was dispatched to Briga dier-General Judah, informing him of what had been done. He immediately, on reception, started another courier, ordering the force, started in the morning, back. The command was immediately obeyed, and thus was Morgan saved from having his command cut in two and captured on the banks of the Cumberland. In the mean time Morgan had passed on to Columbia, where a most gaUant defense was made by Captain Carter with one hundred and fifty men of Wolford's regiment. Forced to retire, after the loss of their gallant leader, they gave warning to Colonel Wolford, Morgan then attacked Colonel Moore, at the Green River bridge, who had only a few hundred men with him, but sufficient to gam a glorious victory on the anniversary of our national birthday. MarcMng on 182 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. after their repulse, they attacked Colonel Hanson and' Ms regiment. After a most glorious defense, worthy of Kentuckians, they were forced to surrender to ten times their number. In the mean time General Hob son had commenced his pursuit, after being delayed many hours. We started on the 4th of July, and rode aU day and night. Being encumbered with a wagon-train, the roads wretched, and the night dark, we only made five miles in ten hours. As it was my time to guard the train, I felt sorely tempted to have a glorous bonfire. You might as well start a tortoise to catch a rabbit as a command with a train to catch John Morgan. "The next morning General Hobson left the in fantry, vragons, and artUlery, and proceeded with his cavalry. We rested from four o'clock P. M. untU eleven o'clock P. M., then marched the balance of the night. At daybreak we fell in with Brigadier-Gen eral Shackelford with his cavalry and part of his ar tiUery, and then continued our march to Lebanon, where we feU in with Colonel Wolford and Ms brigade. Here General Hobson received orders from General Burnside to assume full command over Wolford MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 183 Shackelford, and his own cavalry, and pursue Morgan until he was overtaken, ilarched from Lebanon on our way to Bardstown in pursuit, until one o'clock A. M Slept two hours, and started again at three o'clock A. M. At night we were forced to stop until we could procure rations by the LouisvUle and Nash vUle Railroad. Started again in pursuit early on Tuesday. Found that the enemy were going toward Brandenburg, with the evident intention of invadmg Indiana. By night Ave were within nine miles of Brandenburg. The General wishing to cooperate with the gun-boats, and make a night attack, proceeded with a small escort to Rock Haven. We found the gun-boats had gone up the river. It was nearly one o'clock A. M. before we returned. Finding the men overcome with fatigue and want of sleep, and almost impossible to arouse, he concluded, reluct antly, to wait untU daybreak. \ie reached the river as the last boat-load of the enemy had crossed. The enemy burned one boat; the other was dispatched to ]jOuisvUle to obtain others to aid us in crossing. The St. Louis, wMch was at Rock Haven, a few mUes above, came down, and we commenced crossing. By 184 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. night we had quite a fleet, and were occupied until morning in crossing. We marched all day Wednes day, witnessing burned mills and houses by the Van dal enemy ; also, the scene of the skirmish with the Indiana militia. The towns were thronged with an excited people, who received us with joyous acclama tions. We marched tUl a late hour in the night, and then up again before daylight. Here our new com missary department was started. The ladies met us every-where with abundant provisions, and cheered us on with patriotic songs. If it had not been for their timely and efficient aid in supplying food for the men, it would have been impossible to have overtaken the enemy ; and to the patriotic women of Indiana and OMo a large share is due of the honor of taMng the energetic and untiring Confederate cMeftain. Nor were we fed with a sparing hand. The magnificent hospitality and the kind and open greeting did away with the prejudices of false traditions of Yankee stin giness, and many a brave Kentucky youth surren dered at discretion to the warm greeting and sweet smUes of the fair daughters of Indiana and Ohio. The broad state of Indiana is passed, her brave MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 185 Hiilitia swarm from every road to aid in catching the wU^" foe, but still the guerrilla chieftain keeps ahead. Sweeping the horses from both sides of the road, and leaving us his own broken-down ones, the advantage is greatly in his favor. But the untiring and indefat igable leader of the expedition. General Hobson, and the chivalric Shackelford, and the patient, enthusiastic Wolford, and aU the glorious leaders of the Ohio, Michigan, and Tennessee regiments, with their un tiring men, were sleepless in their determination to overhaul and destroy the rebel command. "Not a man dreamed of failure. Horse after horse broke down. Men marched day and night to try and keep up with their command, hoping that they would in some way become possessed of a horse or a mule, by which they could rejoin their comrades and aid in catcMng the rebel force. Some would fail, but I have known of others who would walk nearly three days and nights, and then come in, with radiant face, upon some cast-off horse of the enemy. Others would fail to obtain an animal to proceed, but would make their way to Cincinnati, report to head-quarters, and eventuaUy, under the gaUant Rue, had the honor 186 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. of capturing the great chieftain himself. With such spirit and such determination it was impossible not to succeed. We make a circle around Cincinnati, never more than thhteen miles from the city during the long day's journey. Days and weeks have passed, but still the rebel chieftain keeps about the same dis tance ahead. When will the people ahead aid us? Why do they not barricade all the roads? But the rebel chief flies so fast that they have not time. At last the trees are felled : the enemy's speed is checked. With renewed hope we continue the pursuit. Bridges were burned, but the patriotic people have temporary new ones built, and we pursue without delay. For nearly twenty days and nights we have been in the saddle. We are only a few hours behind the enemy. We ride aU night; men, for want of rest, stagger in their saddles ; hope has almost fled, except from a few gaUant leaders, who still continue to cheer and en courage their men. 'Cheer up, men; we wUl soon have him : he has run into a rat-trap with but one opening, and that we have.' 'We would rather see tlian believe.' StUl the patient leaders would say, 'Have faith; by twelve o'clock we wiU have Mm;' but MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 187 the exhausted men had lost hope, when lo ! the dis tant boom of the cannon is heard. Every man is in stantly full of life : the long-expected triumph is at hand. After seven hundred miles of pursuit we are about to meet the enemy in deadly grapple, and every man is more than ready for the issue. Boom ! boom ! boom ! go the cannon ; even the weary and dejected horses are inspirited, and move with greater energy. We approach closer and closer. At last we receive an order from General Hobson, who had pushed far ahead with the advance, to fall back to a cross-road, as the enemy are trying to retreat in that direction. We about face, but, from the thick undergrowth, armed men press into our fines. Mistaken for militia, one of the officers jokingly says : 'Are you Butternuts?' ' Yes, sir.' Astomshed at the quick reply, he says : 'Are you rebels!' 'Yes, sir.' 'Are you John Mor gan's men ? ' ' Yes, sir.' ' Then be so good as to throw down your arms;' and down they go. One young lieutenant rides up to a Federal officer and inquires, ' What command is this ? ' ' My friend, I guess you are in the wrong pew. This is Colonel Jacob's com mand.' ' I guess as how I am,' is the cool reply, as 16 188 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. he surrenders. We soon form in hne of battle. The Confederates press on. The Federals, confident of victory, shout, ' Come in, come in ! ' Some, astomshed, obey. Others press back, when the men, with finger on trigger and faces aglow with eagerness, are given word to fire. Almost with a simultaneous bang, off go the guns, and many a Confederate falls beneath that concentrated fire. The gallant Wolford orders the charge; with drawn sabers the gallant First and Eighth Kentucky Cavalry rush to the conflict. The enemy fled before the resistless move. A flag of truce is sent in, offering to surrender. Unconditional sur render is demanded. It is accepted, and soon we have hundreds of Morgan's band, with Colonel Dick Mor gan, marching before us as prisoners of war. They are marched to the river and shipped. We have no time to tarry; Morgan has escaped. We pursue. That night we rest. The enemy passed toward day. By General Hobson's orders. General Shackelford pur sues. Colonel Wolford commands one brigade. I am assigned to the command of the other. Over hill and dale we pursue. We gain on them. We take some prisoners. Our advance is in constant skirmish with MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 189 their rear-guard. We approach nearer and nearer ; our skirmishers are thrown forward on the right and left ; the bullets fly thick and fast. The enemy take a strong position. General Shackelford, to save blood, if possible, sends in a flag of truce, and de mands surrender. They demand an hour to consider ; forty minutes is given. The result is a surrender of a thousand men and horses. " In the pursuit we traveled nearly sixty miles in about eight hours, but still the guerriUa cMeftain is not taken. Durmg the pendency of the negotiations for surrender, he slipped off, deserting his men. The next morning General Shackelford organizes an expedition, taking our best horses, and again pursues the fleeing foe. A week passed; several hundred miles more are cleared. Morgan approaches Pennsylvania. Major Rue, of the Ninth Kentucky Cavalry, commanding detachments of the Ninth and Eleventh Kentucky Cavalry, and stragglers from different regiments, freshly mounted and sent ahead by order of General Burnside, on the cars, come up in the nick of time. Two roads come to a common road. The struggle ia wMch shall arrive first. Morgan leads. Rue, almost 190 MORGAN AND HIS CAPIORS. despairing, pursues him. Seeing a road leading off, almost by intuition he asks of a bystander: 'Does that road come into this one again, and is it nearer to the point where they approach than the main road ? ' ' It does, and is much nearer.' With renewed hope, he dashed off, and ran in ahead about a hundred and City yards, and rapidly formed a line of battle. Mor gan, with Ms usual audacity, sends in a flag of truce, and demands an unconditional surrender. Rue mdig- nantly informs the messenger that he does not belong to the militia, that he can be deceived in that manner; that he is a Major of the Ninth Kentucky Cavalry, and that if Morgan does not surrender at once he will fire upon him. The officer rephed, with an oath, that the Ninth Kentucky Cavalry was every>where. Mor gan, finding he could not impose on Rnie by the flag of truce, tries another dodge. He now informs Mm that he had already surrendered to some Ohio militia captain, and that he had paroled them. This captain was a captive in Morgan's hands. He informs Mor gan that he wUl pay no attention to any such surren der, and that he wUl hold Mm and his command until his superior. General Shackelford, arrives. In about MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 191 one hour the General makes his appearance, and then Morgan surrenders, and thus ends the most remark able- chase known in history. As the leader of the expedition, Brigadier-General Hobson, for Ms quick comprehension, untiring energy, and unfaiUng amia bility and kindness to aU his subordinates, deserves all praise. If permitted to have acted according to his own judgment, he would have stopped Morgan's career on the banks of the Cumberland. FoUed in tMs, he starts in pursuit, and never stops in that pur suit untU he brings Ms foe to bay. Brigadier-General Shackelford, and Colonel Wolford, also, deserve the highest praise ; and, indeed, where all did their duty, from the Mghest to the lowest, it appears almost in vidious to mention names. " The gun-boats at Buffington were of the greatest service in preventing the Confederates from crossing, and in shelhng the woods. I am informed by eye witnesses that their artUlery practice was beautiful. " Thus has ended, at least for the present, the career of John Morgan. By the untiring energy and indom itable courage of the devoted band who pursued him, Kentucky this day has peace. The pursuit developed 192 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. one fact— the impossibility of overtaking and heading a cavalry force, under a bold and sagacious leader, left to Ms own fertile resources. The great difficulty the Federal officers have to contend with is, the large number of exceUent cavalry the Confederates have. Largely outnumbering ours, at least untU recently, they swarm in front of their armies, flfty, sixty, and even a hundred mUes, obtaining every mtelligence, whUe preventing any from being obtained in regard to the position, number, or times of destroying rail roads, bridges, and communications from one point to another, and cutting off necessary suppUes. Our cav alry officers hitherto have had great difficulties to contend with. Half armed, and always outnumbered greatly, many times fractions of regiments have had to fight whole brigades of the enemy. This is becoming now more equal. But what we want particularly, m- dependent of the cavalry that should remain with the great armies, is from eighty to one hundred thousand cavalry, in squads of from five to ten thousand, di vided into mounted infantry and regular cavalry, mth some artillery, under glorious leaders, who have the brain to conceive and the nerve to execute, with no MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 193 telegraph wires from head-quarters. If we had such a force m the field at the present time, under competent leaders, we could strike at the very vitals of the so- caUed Southern Confederacy, and bring them to terms in less than ninety days. AU the railroads in the South could be destroyed, and kept so. Every state, unless it might be Texas — and that, also, if we had infantry as a nucleus — could be desolated. If asked where you could sustain such a force, the answer is ready : just as Morgan and the Confederate cavalry sustain theirs — off of the country invaded. Such a force would break up aU commumcation and prevent the rapid concentration of one rebel force to sustain an other, wMch came so near being disastrous to McClel lan in the seven days' fight near Richmond, and lately against Rosecrans. The enemy could not meet such a force. Their present cavalry would be abundantly employed by our regular cavalry, and they have neither the men nor the horses to organize such a body of cavalry. We have both; and the sooner we employ them, the sooner tMs unhappy war wiU be terminated. Richard T. Jacob, "Colonel of the late Ninth Kentucky Cavalry." 194 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. When the capture of Morgan was announced, there was great rejoicing all over the country ; and George D. Prentice suggested that a salute of one gun be fired before every stable-door in the land ! j^fter the capture. General Shackelford proceeded with Morgan and several of his officers to Cincinnati, and delivered them to General Burnside. From Cin cinnati they were sent to the state prison at Colum bus, and there remained until the night of November the 27th, when General Morgan and six of his con federates made their escape. The names of the prisoners who escaped with Mor gan are as foUows: Captain J. C. Bennett, Captain S. B. Taylor, Captain Ralph Sheldon, Captain L. H. Hines, Captain L. D. Hokersmith, Captain G. S. Ma gee, Colonel Dick Morgan, and the six captains who were confined in the lower range of ceUs. By means of two small knives, they dug through the floors of their ceUs, which is composed of cement and nine inches of brick-work. Underneath the ceUs is an air- chamber, extending the whole length of the buUding. Of this fact the prisoners seemed to have been aAvare. Once in the air-chambor, one of them could crawl to MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 195 its terminus and dig down m the soft earth with his knife untU the bottom of the foundation of the wall was reached; then, digging out under, the thing was completed. Meanwhile, ropes had been manufactured of the bedticMng, and all arrangements were com plete for their final escape. Every thing being in readiness, only a little strategy was necessary for the escape of General Morgan. He occupied a cell on the second range, just over the one occupied by Ms brother Dick. When the prisoners were being locked up for the night, the Morgans were allowed to exchange cells with each other. After Dick had seen every thing prepared, he permitted his brother John to take his place. Some time during the night the prisoners crawled tMough the hole they had dug under the waU, but had skiUfuUy concealed, taking their rope with them. They escaped from the prison immediately be tween the main building and the female department. Once in the yard, and their escape was comparatively easy. They went to the south-west corner of the outer wall, near the big gate, and tMew their rope over the top, where it secured itself on one of the 17 196 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. spikes. On this rope, and by the aid of some timbers near at hand, they clambered to the top, and easily descended on the outside. There are no guards on the outer walls after a certain hour. The prisoners were dressed in citizens' clothes, and not in prison habiliments. Captain Hines had charge of the work which re sulted m the escape of the prisoners. A note was left for the warden of the prison, of which the foUowing is a copy : "Castle Meroin, Cell No. 20, November 20, 1863. "Coramenoement, November 4, 1863. Conclusion, jSTovem- ber 20, 1863. Number of hours for labor per day, three. Tools, two small knives. Lapatience est amer, mais son fruit est doux. By order of my six honorable Confederates. "Heney Hikes, Captain, C. S. A." The excitement was very great, especiaUy in the states of Kentucky, OMo, and Indiana, when it was known that Morgan had escaped. A reward of one thousand dollars was offered for him, dead or alive. Various reports were in circulation as to the direc tion he had taken. Some persons supposed he would escape by way of Canada. Many of the houses of MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 197 Columbus were searched, hoping to find him secreted somewhere m the city. But all search was vain ; notMng could be heard of him that was reliable. The men who searched for him looked as blank as if ho had vanished, or had been translated. Days passed by, and no mtelhgence of Morgan was received from any quarter. At length, a Richmond paper was received, wMch annotmced the arrival of the great chieftain at the rebel Capital, and the fact that he was honored with a splendid ovation. The same paper, the Rich mond Enquirer, gave the foUowing very interesting account of Morgan's escape, as it was received from Ms own hps: " Their bedsteads were smaU iron stools, fastened to the waU with Mnges. They could be hooked up or allowed to stand on the floor, and, to prevent any sus picion, for several days before any work was attempted, they made it a habit to let them down and sit at their doors and read. Captain Hines superintended the work, whUe General Morgan kept watch to divert ^ne attention of the sentinel, whose duty it was to come round during the day ard observe if any thing was 198 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. going on. One day tMs fellow came in wMle Hoker- smith was down under the floor boring away, and missing him, said, ' Where is Hokersmith ? ' The Gen eral rephed, 'He is m my room, sick,' and immedi ately puUed a document out of his pocket and said to him : ' Here is a memorial I have drawn up to for ward to the government at Washington ; what do you tMnk of it?' "The fellow, who, perhaps, could not read, was highly flattered at the General's condescension, took it, and very gravely looked at it for several moments be fore he vouchsafed any reply. Then, handmg it back, he expressed himself highly pleased with it. In the mean time Hokersmith had been signaled and came up, professing to feel very unwell. This sentinel was the most difficult and dangerous obstacle in their progress, because there was no telling at what time he would enter during the day, and at night he came regularly every two hours to each cell, and inserted a light through the bars of their doors, to see that they were quietly sleeping, and frequently, after he had completed his rounds, he would slip back in the dark, with a pair of India-rubber shoes on, to hsten MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 199 at their cells if any thing was going on. The Genera] says that he would almost mvariably know of his pres ence by a certain magnetic shudder which it would produce ; but, for fear that tMs acute sensibility might sometimes fail Mm, he broke up small particles of coal every morning and sprinkled them before the cell- door, which would always announce his coming. " Every tMng was now ready to begin the work ; so about the latter end of October they began to bore. AU were busy — one makmg a rope-ladder, by tearing and twisting up strips of bedtick, ajiother making Bowie-kmves, and another twisting up towels. They labored persevermgly for several days, and, after boring tMough nme inches of cement and nine thick nesses of brick placed edgewise, they began to won der when they should reach the soft earth. Suddenly a brick fell through. What could this mean ? What infernal chamber had they reached? It was imme diately entered, and, to their great astonishment and joy, it proved to be an air-chamber, extending the whole length of the row of cells. Here was an un expected interposition in their favor. Hitherto they had been obliged to conceal their rubbish in their bed- 200 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. ticks, each day burning a proportionate quantity of straw ; now they had room enough for all they could dig. They at once commenced to turn at right angles with this air-chamber, to get through the foundation ; and day after day they bored ; day after day the blocks of o-ranite were removed, and still the work before them seemed interminable. "After twenty-tMee days of unremitting labor, and getting through a granite wall of six feet in tMckness, they reached the soil. They tunneled up for some distance, and light began to shine. How glorious was that light ! It announced the fulfillment of their labors, and, if Providence would only continue its favor, they would soon be free. This was the morning of the 26th day of November, 1863. The next night, at twelve o'clock, was determined on as the hour at which they would attempt their liberty. Each moment that inter vened was filled with dreadful anxiety and suspense, and each time the guard entered increased their ap prehensions. The General says he had prayed for rain, but the morning of the 27th dawned clear and beautiful. The evemng came, and clouds began to gather. How they prayed for them to increase ! If MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 201 rain should only begin, their chances of detection would be greatly lessened. While these thoughts were passing through their minds, the keeper entered with a letter for General Morgan. He opened it, and what was Ms surprise, and, I may say, wonder, to find it from a poor Irish woman of his acquaintance in Kentucky, commencing : ' My dear Ginral, I feel cer tain you are gomg to try to get out of prison ; but, for your sake, don't you try it, my dear Ginral. You will only be taken prisoner agin, and made to suffer more than you do now.' " The letter then went on to speak of his kindness to the poor when he lived at Lexington, and concluded by agam exhorting Mm to trust in God and wait his time. What could this mean ? No human bemg on the outside had been informed of his intention to escape, and yet, just as all things were ready for him to make the attempt, here comes a letter from Win chester, Ky., advising him not to ' try it.' This letter had passed through the examining office of General Mason, and then through the hands of the lower officials. What if it should excite their suspicion, and cause them to exercise an increased vigUance ? The 202 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. situation, however, was desperate. Their fate could not be much worse, and they resolved to go. NotMng now remained to be done but for the General and Colongl Dick Morgan to change cells. The hour ap proached for them to be locked up. They changed coats, and each stood at the other's cell-door with his back exposed, and pretended to be engaged in making up their beds. As the turnkey entered, they 'turned in,' and pulled their doors shut. " Six, eight, ten o'clock came. How each pulse throbbed as they quietly awaited the approach of twelve ! It came ; the sentinel passed his round — all well. After waiting a few moments to see if he in tended to slip back, the signal was given — aU quietly slipped down into the air-chamber, first stuffing their fiannel sMrts and placing them in bed as they were ac customed to lie. As they moved quietly along through the dark recess to the terminus where they were to emerge from the earth, the General prepared to light a match. As the lurid glare fell upon their counte nances a scene was presented which can never be for gotten. There were crouched seven brave men who had resolved to be free. They were armed with Bowie- MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 203 knives, made out of case-knives. Life, in their con dition, was scarcely to be desired, and the moment for the desperate chance had arrived. Suppose, as they emerged from the ground, that the dogs should give the alarm — they could but die. " But a few moments were spent in this kind of apprehension. The hour had arrived, and yet they came not. Fortunately — yes, providentially — the night had suddenly grown dark and rainy ; the dogs had retired to their kennels, and the sentinels had taken refuge under shelter. The inner waU, by the aid of the rope-ladder, was soon scaled, and now the outer one had to be attempted. Captain Taylor (who, by the way, is a nephew of old Zack), being a very active man, by the assistance of Ms comrades, reached the top of the gate, and was enabled to get the rope over the wall. When the top was gained, they found a rope extending aU around, which the General immediately cut, as he suspected it might lead into the warden's room. This turned out to be correct. They then entered the sentry-box on the wall and changed their clothes, and let themselves down the wall. In sliding down, the General skinned Ms hand very badly, and 204 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. all were more or less bruised. Once down, they sepa rated — Taylor and Shelton going one way, Hoker smith, Bennett, and McGee another, and General Mor gan and Captain Hines proceeding immediately toward the depot. " The General had, by paying fifteen doUars in gold, succeeded in obtaining a paper which informed him of the schedule-time of the different roads. The clock struck one, and he knew, by hurrying, he could reach the down train for Cincinnati. He got there just as the train was moving off. He at once looked in to see if there were any soldiers on board, and espying a Union officer, he boldly walked up and took a seat beside Mm. He remarked to him that, ' as the night was dark and chilly, perhaps he would join him in a drink.' He did so, and the party soon became very agreeable to each other. The cars, in crossmg the Scioto, have to pass within a short distance of tho Penitentiary. As they passed, the officer remarked* ' There 's the hotel at which Morgan and his officers are spending their leisure.' 'Yes,' rephed the Gen eral, ' and I sincerely hope he wUl make up his mind to board there during the balance of the war, for he MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 205 is a great nuisance.' When the tram reached Xenia, it was detained by some accident more than an hour. Imagme Ms anxiety, as soldier after soldier would pass tMough the train, for fear that when the sentmel passed his round at two o'clock their absence might be discovered. " The train was due in Cincinnati at six o'clock. TMs was the hour at which they were turned out of their cells, and, of course, their escape would then be discovered. In a few moments after, it would be known all over the country. The train, having been delayed at Xema, was running very rapidly, to make up the time. It was ah-eady past six o'clock. The General said to Captain Hines : ' It is after six. If we go to the depot we are dead men. Now or never.' They went to the rear and put on the brakes. - Jump, Hines ! ' Off he went, and feU heels over head m the mud. Another severe turn of the brake, and the Gen eral jumped. He was more successful, and lighted on his feet. There were some soldiers near who re marked : ' What in the h — 1 do you mean by jump ing off the cars here ? ' The General replied : ' What in the d — 1 is the use of my going into town when 206 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. I hve here ? and, besides, what busmess is it of yours ? ' " They went immediately to the river. They found a sMff, but no oars. Soon a httle boy came over, and appeared to be waiting. 'What are you waiting for?' said the General. ' I am waiting for my load.' ' What is the price of a load?' 'Two dollars.' 'Well, as Ave are tired and hungry, we will give you the two dollars, and you can put us over.' So over he took them. 'Where does Miss Uve?' 'Just a short distance from here.' ' Will you show me her house ? ' 'Yes, sir.' The house was reached; a fine breakfast was soon obtained, money and a horse furnished, a good woman's prayer bestowed, and off he went. From there, forward through Kentucky, every body vied with each other as to who should show him the most attention, even to the negroes ; and young ladies of refinement begged the honor to cook his meals. " He remained in Kentucky some days, feehng per fectly safe, and sending into Louisville for many h itle things he wanted. Went to Bardstown, and found a Federal regiment had just arrived there, looking for him. Remained here and about for tM-ee or four days, MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 207 and then struck out for Dixie — sometimes disguising himself as a government cattle eontractor, and buying a large lot of cattle ; at other times, a quarter-master, until he got to the Tennessee River. Here he found all means of transportation destroyed, and the bank strongly guarded; but, with the assistance of about thirty others, who had recognized Mm and joined him in spite of Ms remonstrances, he succeeded m making a raft, and he and Captain Hines crossed over. His escort, with heroic self-sacrifice, refused to cress until he was safely over. He then hired a negro to get his horse over, paymg him twenty dollars for it. The river was so Mgh that the horse came near drowning, and, after more than an hour's struggling with the stream, was pulled out so exhausted as scarcely to be able to stand. " The General threw a blanket on him and com menced to walk him, when, he says, he was seized with a presentiment that he would be attacked, and remarking to Captain Hines, ' We will be attacked in twenty minutes,' commenced saddling his horse. He had hardly tied Ms girth, when ' bang, bang,' went the Mmie balls. He bounced on his horse, and the noble 208 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. animal, appearing to be inspired with new vigor, bounded off like a deer up the mountain. The last he saw of his poor fellows on the opposite side, they were disappearing up the river bank, fired upon by a whole regiment of Yankees. By this time it was dark, and also raining. He knew that a perfect cordon of pickets would surround the foot of the mountain, and if he remained there until morning he would be lost. So he determined to run the gantlet at once, and commenced to descend. As he neared the foot, lead ing his horse, he came almost in personal contact with a picket. His first impulse was to kUl him, but, find ing him asleep, he determined to let Mm sleep on. He made his way to the house of a Umon man that he knew lived near there, and passed Mmself off as Captain Quarter-master of Hunt's regiment, who was on his way to Athens, Tenn., to procure supplies of sugar and coffee for the Union people of the country. The lady, who appeared to be asleep wMle this inter view was taking place with her husband, at the men tion of sugar and coffee, jumped out of bed in her night-clothes, and said : ' Thank God for that, for wo MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 209 ain't seen any real coffee up here for God knows how long ! ' She was so delighted at the prospect that she made up a fire and cooked them a good supper. Sup per being over, the General remarked that he under stood some rebels had 'tried to cross the river this afternoon.' ' Yes,' said the woman, ' but our men killed some on 'em, and driv the rest back.' ' Now,' says the General, ' I know that, but did n't some of them get over ? ' ' Yes,' was her reply, ' but they are on the mountain, and can 't get down without being killed, as every road is stopped up.' He then said to her : ' It is very important for me to get to Athens by to-morrow night, or I may lose that sugar and coffee, and I am afraid to go down on any of the roads, for fear my own men will kill me.' " The fear of losing that sugar and coffee brought her again to an accommodating mood, and she replied : ' Why, Paul, can 't you show the Captain through our farm, that road down by the field?' The General said : ' Of course, Paul, you can do it ; and, as the night is very cold, I wUl give you ten dollars in gold to help you along.' The gold, and the prospect of 210 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. sugar and coffee, was too much for any poor man's nerves, and he yielded; and, getting on a horse, he took them seven miles to the big road. " From this time forward he had a series of adven tures and escapes, all very wonderful, until he got near another river in Tennessee, when he resolved to go up to a house and find the way. Hines went to the house, while the General stood in the road. Hearing a body of cavalry come dashing up behind him, he quietly slipped to one side of the road, and it passed by without observing him. They went trav eling after Hines, and, poor fellow, he has not been heard of since. How sad to think that he should be either captured or kiUed after so many brave efforts, not only in his own behalf, but also in that of the General ; for the General says that it is owing chiefly to Hines's enterprise and skUl that they made their escape ! " When he arrived at the river referred to above, he tried to get over, intending to stop that night with a good Southern man on the other side. He could not get over, and had to stop at the house of a Union man. The next mormng he went to the house that MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 211 lie had sought the night previous, and feund the track of the Yankees scarcely cold. They had been there all mght, expecting that he would come there, and had murdered every body who had attempted to reach the house, without hailing them. In pursumg this brutal course, they had killed three young men, neighbors of this gentleman, and had gone away, leaving their dead bodies on the ground. "After he had crossed Okey's River, and got down into Middle Tennessee, he found it almost impossible to avoid recogmtion. At one time he passed some poor women, and one of them commenced clapping her hands and said, ' Oh, I know who that is ! ' but, catcMng herself, she stopped short, and passed on with her companions. " The General says that his escape was made en tirely without assistance from any one on the outside, and, so far as he knows, also without their knowledge of his mtention; that the announcement of Ms arrival at Toronto was one of those fortuitous coincidences that can not be accounted for ; that it assisted h'JU materially, no doubt. In fact, he says that Ms ' wife's 18 212 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. prayers' saved him, and, as this is the most agree able way of explaining it, he is determined to be Heve it." Various statements were circulated concernmg the manner of Morgan's escape; and from various quar ters it was more than intimated that it was effected by bribery. If the reader will carefully consider what follows, it will, no doubt, fully satisfy his mmd, and give to him the true state of the case. Shortly after the escape of General Morgan, the Legislature of Ohio convened. At an early day, after that body had convened, the House passed a resolu tion instructing the Committee on the Penitentiary to investigate and report to that body all the facts per taining to the escape of Morgan and six of Ms officers. The committee promptly entered upon the discharge of their tedious and laborious duty; and, finally, laid before the House a report covering fourteen pages of manuscript, accompanied by testimony, which cov ered eighty-three pages of cap paper. The foUowmg is the conclusion and most material portion of the report : MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 213 " Upon a careful examination of the testimony, it is evident Lieutenant Judkins was guilty of gross carelessness and impropriety in furnishing the rebel prisoners with saws, files, and vises. Although it ia evident they did not make use of these tools in effect ing their escape, there can be no doubt it was for this purpose they wished to obtain them. " Lieutenant Judkins was on General Mason's staff, and went with him to San Francisco. From the 4th to the 25th of November he appears to have had the care and disbursement of the funds belonging to said prisoners ; also, the care and inspection of all letters, articles, and packages, going into or coming from these prisoners. He had access to them at all hours in the day. He took or sent packages to them at his pleas ure. He, in fact, seems to have been the standing officer of the day for said prisoners, and, in view of the committee, it was Ms duty to have seen that the cells were not only kept in order, but closely inspected every day. We tMnk he must have been destitute of that sense and discretion which constitute the good soldier, or wanting in that moral integrity, without which no man can perform a true soldier's duty. We 214 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. tMnk he should be discharged from the military serv ice of the United States. " The committee will here state, in connection with the above, that the chairman saw at the head-quarters of Colonel Richardson, at Camp Chase, four different orders signed by rebel prisoners, on General Mason, requesting him to deliver to Lieutenant Judkins sun dry articles — such as medicines, gutta-percha buttons, wire, a vise, files, and two dozen watchraakers' or dia mond saws. The saws were on two separate orders. One of these orders was signed by BasU Duke. On the back of said orders were written the names or ini tials of the drawers, with different amounts in figures, supposed to be the cost of the articles therein named. "In conclusion, your committee submit the foUow ing propositions deduced from their examination and investigation : "1. That the rebel prisoners had no assistance in effecting their escape, either from the Penitentiary or military authorities, or from any one connected there with, unless the non-examination of the ceUs may be considered such. " 2. That it was not necessary for them to have had MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 215 any assistance. All they required was, that there be no examination for a sufficient length of time to allow them to perform the necessary labor. " 3. The said escape could not have been effected had it not been for the air-chamber under the cells. " 4. That they might have known, and probably did know, of the existence of said air-chamber, by the sound made by stamping upon the cell-floors. " 5. That if the ceUs had been examined as often as once a week, the escape would not have been effected. " 6. That there was a neglect of duty m not making such examination. " 7. That tMs neglect of duty rests with the mili tary authorities." The report is signed by the members of the Peni tentiary Committee; and, with the testimony, it was ordered to be printed. Since the report was submitted to the House, and since the above was written, Mr. Woodbury, the chair man, has received the foUowmg documents, among wMch are the orders referred to by the committee : 216 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. Head-quarters Camp Chase, Ohio, ) March 19, 1854. i B. B. Woodbury, Esq., Chairman, etc.. Sir — Your summons did not reach me until yesterday in the aflernoon. I am informed by Captain Lamb that the written copies of orders for the purchase of various articles by prison ers of war in the Penitentiary are all that you desire of me. I am, very respectfully, W. P. Eichardson, Colonel Commanding. Order No. 1. $220. Columbus, Ohio, November 16, 1863. Pay to Lieutenant William A. Judkins, A. D. C, dol lars for articles furnished below, and charge to my account I awl-handle and set of blades attached; I brace and I doz. saws; 1 rat-tail file, I flat file; 3 plates of gold about J inch square, and 1 inch small gold wire ; I doz. gutta-percha buttons, different sizes. H. A. HiGLBT, Prisoner of War. To Brigadier-General John S. Mason. Order No. 2. Columbus, Ohio, November 18, 1863. Pay to Lieutenant William A. Judkins, A D. C, dol lars for articles furnished below, and charge to my account. 2 H)S. "Virginia smoking-tobacco (pre gail) ; 1 razor and apparatus ; I doz. jewelers' saws and I handle; $1 postage-stamps. (Signed) B, W. Duke, Prisoner of War. MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 217 Order No. 3. f 1,00. Columbus, Ohio, November 20, 1863. Pay to Lieutenant William A. Judkins, A. D. C, dol lars for articles furnished below, and charge to my account I oz. glycerin ; J oz. vinegar of cantharides ; I oz. Cologne vrater ; 1 oz. rose-water ; 1 doz. as'd jewelers' saws; 2 half-round files. (Signed) Thos. B. Boyd, Prisoner of War. Please give the $1.00 ordered in last order to Sergeant Moore. (Signed) T. B. Boyd. Order No. 4. $0.70. Columbus, Ohio, November 20, 1863. Pay to Lieutenant William A. Judkins, A. D. C, dol lars for articles furnished below, and charge to my account Spalding's glue (small quantity); One small half-round file; One small rat-tail file. (Signed) C. Coleman, Prisoner of War, To Brigadier-General John S. Mason. We tMnk it quite evident, from the foregoing state ments, that Morgan, and those who escaped with him, were cMefly indebted to their own fertile brains for the accomplishment of that event. Important ideas sometimes have a strange birth- 218 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. place, and are brought forth in the midst of smgulai surroundings. The idea of escaping by way of a tun nel under ground, as suggested by Morgan's escape, has been fruitful of good results, and has opened a way of escape to Colonel Streight and a large number of our noble prisoners who were confined in rebel bastiles. MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 219 CHAPTER VIII. BEIGADIEB -GEN ERAL HOBSON — HIS NATIVITY — SELF-MADE MAN — HIS VISIT TO THE SOUTH — WORKS AT HIS TRADE — BECOMES A MERCHANT — A SOLDIER IN THE MEXICAN WAR — AT THE BATTLE OF BtJEXA VISTA — RETURNS HOME AND RE SUMES BUSINESS — A UMON MAN — HIS LIFE THREATENED — RAISES A REGIMENT FOR THE UNITED STATES SERVICE — ATTEMPT BY THE REBELS TO CAPTURE HIS FORCE AND ROB THE BANTv — A SECOND ATTEMPT TO CAPTURE HOBSON— A HAZARDOUS UNDERTAKING THE REGIMENT MOVES WITH GENERAL BUELL'S ARMY — HOBSON AT CORINTH — AT MOUNT WASHINGTON — IN TENNESSEE — AT GREEN RIVER BRIDGE — DEFEATS MORGAN — VARIOUS EXPEDITIONS — GENERAL HOBSON ORDERED TO LEXINGTON — NARROW ESCAPE — RESISTS THE ENTRANCE OF MORGAN INTO KENTUCKY — VIGOROUS PURSUIT OF MORGAN THROUGH KEN TUCKY, INDIANA, AND OHIO— BATTLE OF BUFFINGTON. A LEADER of the expedition that pursued the famous General John H. Morgan, and captured and scattered his forces in the state of Ohio, Briga dier-General E. H. Hobson, was born in the town of Greensburg, Green County, Ey., July 11, 1825. The distinguished service which General Hobson has rendered to his native state and to his country, his pure patriotism and heroic bravery, as evinced in t ae dreadful conflict that is now shaking our land, in- vest the events of his life with more than ordinary interest. 19 220 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. General Hobson is a "self-made man." In Ma early school-days, instead of depending on his parents for his entire education, he voluntarily spent a por tion of his time at hard work, for one of his tender years, that he might, at least in part, educate himself, and thus aid his father, who was not well able, at that time, to afi'ord his son aU the advantages of an educa tion that were deshable. At the age of twelve, young Hobson was sent to the College at Danville, Ky. His health failing while he was connected with that insti tution, he was compelled to abandon any idea he may have had of pursuing his studies until he was gradu ated in college. His health continuing poor, he re solved, in accordance with the custom of the times, to visit the South, hoping to find thereby what he so much desired — good health. Health-seekers that have visited the Southern States and the island of Cuba have generally had their pockets weU "lined," and have moved in state. But young Hobson could not weU afi'ord to search for health at great pecuniary expense ; yet he resolved to visit the Southern States. Accordingly, at the early age of fourteen, he started upon his journey, not in one of the floating palaces MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 221 of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, but on foot, as a hog-driver, receiving wages at the rate of six doUars per month for Ms labor. He walked every foot of the way to Selma, in the state of Alabama, a distance of six hundred nules. After remainmg for a season in the South, he returned to his native place in Ken tucky. He returned by way of MobUe and New Or leans, and landed at the town of SmitMand, at the confiuence of the Ohio and Cumberland Rivers, in Kentucky, and walked through deep snow from that place to Ms home, a distance of two hundred and fifty mUes. He reached home in perfect health. Did he not deserve it ? . And can any one doubt that the youth, who had so much of the heroic in his character, if spared to manhood's age, and a fitting opportunity were given Mm, would make a hero, indeed? Pre vious to the journey of young Hobson, of which we have just spoken, he had learned, at least partly, the trade of saddle-making with Ms father. On reach ing Ms home he resumed his trade, working part of the time, and part of the time during each year waa spent in school. During the years 1844 and 1845, he received from Ms father wages at the rate of nine 222 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. dollars per week. The means which he thus earned with Ms own hands enabled him, together with letters of credit, to purchase a stock of goods in New York and PMladelpMa, with which he commenced the mer cantile business m his native town. Soon after his return from the Bast, a call for vol unteers was made by the government, to engage in the Mexican war. Mr. Hobson at once put his busi ness matters in the hands of his father, and enlisted as a private, and rendered most efficient service in recruiting Company A of the Second. Regiment of Kentucky Volunteers, which regiment was commanded in the Mexican war by the gallant Colonel W. R. McKee. Mr. Hobson was offered the second lieu tenancy before the company, of wMch he was a pri vate, was full. He nobly refused to accept any office until the company was fully recruited, and each mem ber of it could have a fair opportunity of voting for officers of his own choice. After the company was full, Mr. Hobson was elected, by acclamation, Second Lieutenant. Lieutenant Hobson served in the Mexican war thir teen months: — from June 1, 1846, to August 30, 1847. MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 223 Previous to the battle of Buena Vista, Mr. Hobson was promoted to the first heutenancy. He was in that desperate battle, and exposed, from sunrise to sunset, to the leaden hail of the enemy. He commanded the left wing of his company, during the battle, which was engaged as sharp-shooters and skirmishers. His com pany was attacked, five different times, by more than double their number, and was successful each time in repulsmg the enemy. In addition to these five dis tinct engagements, the company was also in each en gagement in wMch the whole regiment took part. But we can not now give aU the particulars of Lieu tenant Hobson's history wMle with our army in Mexico. It is enough to say that which every one who knew Mm in the campaign in Mexico will testify to as being true, that he was a brave soldier and a good officer. Lieutenant Hobson, after his honorable discharge from the service of his country, at the close of the Mexican war, returned to his home in Kentucky, and resumed the mercantile business, and continued at that employment until 1857. In the mean time he was elected a director of the Branch Bank of Kentucky at 22 1 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. Crreensburg. In 1859 he was appointed president of the bank, and continued in that office up to the month of December, 1861. In these offices, as a director and president, he discharged his duties with fidelity, and to the satisfaction of all concerned. When the starthng news flashed along the tele graphic wires, in the month of April, 1861, " They have fired on Sumter," the heart of Lieutenant Hobson was fired with patriotism and love for that glorious old fiag under which he fought so heroically in the bloody bat tle of Buena Vista. He was an " out-and-out " Union man, and did not hesitate, under circumstances that tested the " stuff'" of which men were made, especially va. all the border states, to declare himself opposed to secession, and in favor of his country. Living as he was, surrounded with many and bitter secessionists, his life was constantly exposed. Citizens and former friends several times threatened his hfe. For his own personal safety and the safety of his friends — for the sake of his state and his country — ^he detei-mined to raise a regiment of infantry, and was authorized to do so by General Nelson, in the month of August, 1861. In the month of September following he received from MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 225 Secretary Cameron an appointment as Colonel. By the 5th of September he had about one hundred and twenty-five men under his command, at Greensburg, wMch place was Ms head-quarters. It will be remem bered that, about that time. General S. B. Buckner, who had been a member of Governor Magoffin's staff", and commander of the State Guards, had invaded the state, and occupied Woodsonville and Munfordville, on Green River, only twenty-five miles from the camp of Colonel Hobson. Information was received by the Colonel that four hundred rebels, from the army of General Buckner, were about to march to Greensburg, for the purpose of capturing his httle force and rob bing the bank, which then contained about one hun dred and forty thousand dollars. He was not the man to be caught m the trap that was set before his eyes ; so at once he took the money out of the bank, and, accompanied by Ms little force, moved, somewhat hastUy, to CampbellsviUe, a place twelve miles distant from Greensburg, where he procured four horses and as many guides as he thought necessary, and then traveled during the night to Lebanon, and from thence, by way of the railroad, to LouisvUle, Kentucky. He 226 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. delivered the money safely into the hands of the proper persons, and Ms conduct was fully indorsed by Mr. Virgil McKnight, the president of the Bank of Kentucky. This act of removing the funds of the bank from Greensburg incensed the rebel citizens of the county ; but Colonel Hobson felt that he had done his duty — that he had saved to the state and to the stockholders one hundred and forty thousand dollars, and had aided Ms country by placing that large sum of money beyond the reach of rebel hands ; and why should he be greatly moved by the u-e of rebel citizens ? Up to this period the force commanded by Colonel Hobson had been poorly armed, having nothing better than shot-guns and Kentucky rifles. On his return from LouisviUe, he brought with him one box of guns, a quantity of powder, caps, and lead; and, having thus provided Ms troops with good arms, he returned to his old camp, at Greensburg. In the mean time two other regiments commenced recruiting at Greensburg, and by the 10th of October there were as many as five hundred men connected with these three regiments. They also had received from the government full sup- MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 227 phes for three full regiments, consisting of quarter master's and commissary stores. General Buckner, being fully satisfied that he could surround and capture these forces and their stores, or dered General Hardee, who was then at Cave City, to march with Ms division, consisting of four thousand infantry, beside3 six pieces of artillery, and a cavalry force, to Greensburg, and demand the surrender of the command at that place, and, if not immediately complied with, to give sufficient time for the women and children to be removed, and then, if surrender was not made at once, to butcher every Federal officer and soldier; to move the goods belonging to the govern ment to Cave City, for the use of the rebel army ; and then move forward and occupy Muldrough's Hill, and thus prevent the Federals from opening camps at Greensburg, Columbia, and CampbellsvUle. Colonel Hobson, having learned perfectly the intentions ol the rebel generals, and believing that the forces un der Ms command were not able to contend against ten times their number, fell back to CampbellsviUe, which he entered during the night, and thus saved their stores, and prevented the occupation of Mul- 228 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. drough's HiU by rebel soldiers. The day following it- was deemed prudent by the officers of the diff'erent regiments that a reconnoissance should be made to ascertain the position of the enemy. To carry out tMs plan, ninety cavalry, from the Home Guards, volunteered to go with Colonel Hobson. At two o'clock P. M. they started out on the expedition, and arrived at Greensburg at six o'clock that evening, and ascertained that two hundred of the enemy had been in and near that place the evening previous to their arrival. Colonel Hobson immediately pushed on with his little force to Green River, five miles distant from Greensburg, and there, at the crossing-place of the river, posted fifty of Ms men. Twenty more he sent to the crossing-place two miles south of Greens burg. Twenty more of his men were left, and to these he gave the command, " Forward !" and forward they went, swimming the river, and proceeding to Bar ren River, a distance of six mUes. Between the two rivers was a rebel cavalry force, numbering two hun dred. They heard of the crossing of Colonel Hobson, and, not having definite knowledge as to the size of his command, became alarmed and fied before him. The MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 229 little band moved on until they reached the river, and there they ascertained that General Hardee had broken up camp that day, supposing that Colonel Hobson had fallen back from Greensburg for the purpose of draw ing him there, and giving to General McCook an op portunity to cross over and attack him in the rear. The next day the Colonel returned to CampbellsvUle, having performed, successfuUy, a most hazardous and arduous duty. In a very short time after the events just narrated, the regiment commanded by Colonel Hobson was filled to the minimum number, and was mustered into the service of the United States, and numbered the Thir teenth Regiment of Kentucky Volunteers. Colonel Hobson was elected commander of the regiment on the 24th of November, 1861. During the time this regiment was recruiting, its officers would frequently pass through the rebel lines to obtain recruits, and occasionally would have slight skirmishes. On the 14th of February, 1862, this regiment moved south, with the column of General Buell's army that moved from Columbia, Kentucky. This regiment distingmshed itself at the battle of 230 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. Shiloh, and the name of its colonel is mentioned with honor for his gallant bearing in that bloody fight, in the reports of Generals Crittenden and Boyle. Colonel Hobson was with his regiment at the siege of Corinth. Afterward he moved with the forces of General Buell, through Kentucky, in pursuit of Bragg's army. At the battle of PerryvUle, Colonel Hobson commanded a brigade. He assisted in driving the rebels from Mount Washington. Colonel Hobson and his regiment were in the front of the forces that skirm ished with and fought the rear of Bragg's retreating army, from Stanford to Mount Vernon — a distance of twenty miles. Colonel Hobson and his regiment returned to Ten nessee, under General Rosecrans, and remained there untU November 26, 1862. He was then ordered to Munfordville, Kentucky, with three broken-down regi ments, for the purpose of recruiting, and protecting the magnificent iron bridge that spans Green River at that place, and which was essential to keep open tho line of communication from Louisville to General Rosecrans' s army. The friends of the Colonel and his regiment were MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 231 making somewhat extensive preparations to give to them a great dinner on Christmas day, December 25, 1862. General Morgan, the famous guerrilla chief, sent word that he would dine that day with the Colonel and his soldiers. Sure enough, he made his appear ance at the time, but, meeting with rather a warm re ception, left in more haste than he came. He failed to destroy the bridge over Green River, but left on the field eighteen of Ms guerrillas, and thirty in the hands of our forces, as prisoners of war. Colonel Hobson, while in command of the forces at Munfordville, and south of that place, frequently sent out expeditions to the Cumberland River, nearly all of them resulting m great good to the Federal cause. He planned the expedition that destroyed Celina, Tennessee. In the fight at that place, sixty of the enemy were kUled, and forty boats, one hundred thou sand pounds of bacon, large quantities of corn, whisky, wheat, flour, and sugar, were destroyed. During the months of December, January, Feb ruary, and March, troops serving under the orders of Colonel Hobson kiUed, in various skirmishes and en gagements, as many as one hundred and fifty of the 232 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. enemy, and captured about one thousand, and several hundred horses ; and, strange to say, his losses, during aU that time, did not exceed fifty kiUed, wounded, and missing On the 25th of February, 1863, Colonel Hobson was appointed and confirmed a Brigadier-General, for " meritorious and distinguished services in the field," to take rank from the 29th of November, 1862. In the month of May, 1863, General Hobson was ordered to Lexington, Kentucky, and placed in com mand of the city and the troops serving in the district of Central Kentucky. He, however, asked to be re lieved of that command, and gave as a reason for so doing that he was famihar with South-eastern Ken tucky, and that he desired to capture John Morgan. This reason was, undoubtedly, patriotic, but the writer of these pages strongly suspects that it was partly personal and private. No doubt the reader of what follows will agree with me in this conclusion. In the summer of 1862, General Hobson made a short visit to his famUy, at Greensburg. His visit was prematurely short, for he was compelled to fiee from his home and family to the Mils, and hide Mmself in MORGAN AJ,D HIS CAPTORS. 238 the chfiFs of the river. He was without a guard, and thirty miles distant from any of his soldiers. The eagle-eyed John saw the prey, darted down upon his home, m the dead hours of the mght, on the 11th of July, but the bird had fiown. The main column of Morgan's command remained fourteen hours within six miles of the Mding-place of the General, during which time scouts were sent out in every direction, who scoured the country, but were, at last, compelled to be satisfied with "Hobson's choice." You can imagine that General Hobson had a strong personal reason for desirmg to capture General Morgan. The General was relieved of his command at Lex ington, and ordered first to MunfordvUle, and then to take command of the Second Brigade, Third Division, Twenty-third Army Corps, at Columbia. On the 19th of June, 1863, General Hobson was ordered by General Judah, commander of the Third Division of the Twenty-tMrd Army Corps, to move his brigade to the town of Glasgow. That Avas a great mistake on the part of General Judah, as subsequent events showed. That event threw open a gap of country fully ninety mUes m extent ; and it was the 234 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. opinion of General Hobson that John Morgan would take advantage of it, and move into the state by way of BurksviUe. Morgan was at that time making a feint on Carthage, Tennessee, the design of which was to attract the attention of General Judah, and draw him from Glasgow, with General Manson's brigade, then move with his own forces along the south side of the Cumberland, and cross over that river mto Kentucky. General Hobson, however, obeyed orders, and moved with his brigade to Glasgow, having in charge two hundred wagons, which gave Mm no httle trouble, as his men were compelled, owing to the poor condition of the mules, to pull the wagons up the hills with ropes attached to them. Marching through a drenching rain, he reached Glasgow on the 24th ult. There the General proposed to turn over all the regi mental trains to the quarter-master, knowing that it was useless to attempt to capture Morgan, if his com mand was encumbered with a wagon-train. At tMs place he received orders to move with his brigade to Tompkinsville, for the purpose of keeping open Gen eral Judah's line of communications from Glasgow to Cave City, from TompMnsvUle to Glasgow, and from MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 235 Tompkinsville to Carthage, in Tennessee. At the same time he was informed that General Judah Would move, with General Manson's brigade, to Scottsville, south of the Big Barren River, and would move from that point to Carthage. At nine o'clock on the morning of the 24th instant. General Hobson moved with his brigade from Glasgow, ten mUes south-east, to Glover's Creek. At this place the brigade remained untU the 28th instant. The sol diers had marched all day through a drenching rain, their feet sinking in the mud to the tops of their shoes, and, of course, they were exhausted and needed rest. Besides this. General Judah was on the south side of Barren River, water-bound, and every oppor- tumty of commumcation with him was cut off" until the water receded. This halt appeared to be proper and prudent. While the brigade remained at Glover's Creek, scouting parties were sent out to Center Point, Marrowbone, and toward Tompkinsville. One of the scoutmg parties had an engagement with the enemy, in wMch they killed the rebel Captain Dickens. They also ascertained that the enemy, fifteen hundred strong, were encamped at Turkey Neck Bend, fifteen mUes 20 236 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. below BurksviUe, on the south side of the Cumberland River. Prisoners that were brought in corroborated the statements of the scouts. General Hobson also learned that Morgan's forces consisted of four thou sand men and four pieces of artUlery ; that it was his intention to cross the Cumberland, with one of his brigades, at BurksvUle, and with the other at Cloyde's Ferry, seven miles below, then go up the north side of the river, and umte his forces at BurksviUe. On the morning of the 28th inst.. General Hobson ordered his infantry to move to Ray's Cross-roads, in the direction of BurksviUe, and to remain at that place until further orders were sent. The Ninth Kentucky Cavalry were sent in advance of the infantry, with instructions to send out scouting parties, who should watch the movements of the en emy. With the Twelfth Kentucky Cavalry, three hun dred men in number. General Hobson took the direct road leading to TompkinsviUe, expecting to meet Gen eral Judah, and "receive further instructions. On his march the General learned from citizens that three thousand of the enemy were three mUes beyond TompldnsviUe, and were approaching that place. A MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 237 courier was at once sent to Ray's Cross-roads, with instructions to Colonel Jacob to move immediately, with two of his battalions, and meet General Hobson at Tompkinsville. Colonel Jacob was also instructed to leave one battalion with the infantry, to act as scouts, in the direction of Center Point and Marrow bone, and to give notice to General Hobson, at Tomp MnsvUle, of the movements of the enemy. On reaching Tompkinsville, the enemy was not found, as was expected. Two or three hundred, how ever, had been in the vicinity the evening previous. General Hobson's force, at that place and time, con sisted of five hundred cavalry. Immediately after his arrival, he tMew out pickets, and used every precau tion to prevent bemg surprised. On the next day, the 29th of July, scouting parties were sent south and west, which captured four of the enemy, and ascer- tamed that they were camped in Turkey Neck Bend, eight miles distant, and on the south side of the river, and that their camp was so located that it could easily be shelled. The next day, the 30th instant. General Hobson directed an officer commanding a scouting party to make a map of the country in the vicinity of 238 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. the rebel camp, aijd report as soon as possible. He reported at two o'clock that day, having prepared a complete map, as directed, and stated that the north bank of the Cumberland could be occupied by our forces, within three hundred yards of the enemy, and that, too, without being observed by them. At three o'clock P. M., General Judah, with his escort and ad vance, arrived at Tompkinsville. General Hobson at once submitted the map of the rebel camp and vicinity to General Judah, with the request that he might make an attack on the enemy with artiUery. This request General Judah refused. General Hobson then re quested General Judah to send him to BurksviUe. He replied that he would send him to Marrowbone, ten miles west of BurksvUle, and that he must hold that place at all hazards, until further orders. Gen eral Hobson then requested permission to remove that evening, with his cavalry, and rejoin his infantry at Ray's Cross-roads. This the General refused also, saying that he could not think of weakening Tomp kinsville, but ordered General Hobson to move the next morning at six o'clock, and stating that he would make his head-quarters at Glasgow; that he would MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 239 leave the First Brigade at Tompkinsville, under com mand of General Manson ; and that he would order General Shackelford to the Cross-roads, to support him at Marrowbone. General Judah also ordered General Hobson to keep him advised of all movements, by sending couriers to him at his head-quarters, at Glasgow. According to orders. General Hobson moved the next morning, at six o'clock, with his cav alry — the Nmth and Twelfth Kentucky Regiments — to Ray's Cross-roads, and there rejoined his infantry, and ordered them to be ready to move at twelve o'clock that day, stating that his cavalry would pass them on the road, and go in advance of them to Mar rowbone. The General arrived at that place, with his brigade, at six o'clock that afternoon. Strong pickets and guards were posted at every important pomt. At five o'clock the next morning, July 2, his pickets on his right fiank were attacked by troops under command of the rebel Adam Johnson. His front, on the road leading to BurksviUe, was attacked by a rebel brigade, commanded by BasU Duke. His left was well protected by the rough character of the country, which rendered it impassable. His front waa 240 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. picketed by the Ninth Kentucky Cavalry, and Ma right flank by the Twelfth Kentucky Cavalry. Both regiments called for additional pickets, wMch the Gen eral promptly furnished. Two hundred of the Ninth Kentucky Cavalry, the command of the gallant Colonel Jacob, had been sent toward BurksviUe, with instruc tions to go to that place for the purpose of developing the enemy. They fought their way to within four miles of that town, but were compelled to faU back, contending, most of the way, in a hand-to-hand flght, against nine hundred and forty rebels, commanded by John Morgan in person. A courier brought informa tion to General Hobson that a heavy rebel force was pressing back the detachment of the Ninth Kentucky Cavalry. On receiving this information, the General drew up the infantry into a line of battle, believing, from the character of the skirmishing on the right flank, that they were about to have a general engage ment. The Ninth Cavalry, in the front, formed mto a line of battle, and awaited the charge of the rebel cav- ah-y. Soon the charge was made ; and the Ninth Cavalry, assisted by a battery of artillery, repulsed and drove the enemy before them in confusion. By MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 241 this time the cavalry, numbering in all eight hundred, were completely broken down. General Hobson, see ing their condition, sent a courier to General Shackel ford, at Ray's Cross-roads, requesting him to move up with Ms cavalry to his support. General Shackel ford brought up promptly both Ms cavalry and in fantry, reaching the position of General Hobson at twelve o'clock at night. In the mean time General Hobson sent a courier to General Judah, at Glasgow, to inform Mm that he was fighting Morgan's com mand in Ms front and on his right fiank, and that Morgan was crossing Ms forces over the river, at two pomts. During the night shots were fired occasionally by the pickets. General Hobson directed General Shackelford to be ready to move at dayhght the next morning, the 3d of July. General Shackelford reported the next morn ing promptly at the time designated. General Hob son directed him to move in the direction of Burks viUe, to the crossing of the MUls Ferry and Columbia roads, Cloyde's Ferry and BurksviUe roads, and BurksvUle and Marrowbone roads, and to hold that position, wMch would prevent the rebel brigades of 242 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. Johnson and BasU Duke from uniting. He also stated to General Shackelford that, after giving him sufficient time to get in the vicinity of the crossing of the roads, he would move with his brigade to the bend of the river on Ms right, attack and annihilate Johnson's forces, then move up and join him, and the united forces would fall upon the command of Basil Duke. Had this plan, which was undoubtedly a wise one, been carried out, Morgan would have been driven back into Tennessee, and the great raid of the great guer rilla would have been brought to a premature end. General Hobson informed General Shackelford that he was making the movement in violation of orders, and that it was possible that he would be mustered out of service for so doing; but that he was con vinced that it was the best and only tMng that could be done to check Morgan. General Shackelford agreed with him, and said that he would share with him the responsibility. As General Hobson was on the eve of carrying into execution nis plans of attack, he received informa tion that General Judah was at the Cross-roads, ten mUes in his rear. He at once dispatched a courier MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 243 to General Judah, informing him of his intentions and plans, and that General Shackelford had already moved with his brigade, and that his own brigade was ready to move, and that he hoped that Ms plans, although in violation of orders, would be indorsed. The cou rier that was sent met General Judah a short distance from the camp, and delivered his message to him at once. General Judah dispatched one of his aids at fuU speed to General Hobson, with instructions to him to suspend aU mUitary operations until he arrived. The instructions were obeyed, and military operations were suspended for the time. As soon as General Judah arrived at the camp, he directed General Hob son to order General Shackelford back from the posi tion of the crossmg of the roads to which he was marching. The order was obeyed. General Judah stated that he would send General Hobson the next day (July 4) to develop the position of the enemy ; to wMch General Hobson replied, that Morgan had by that time united Ms forces, and was on Ms way toward Columbia. Scouting parties, sent out early that mormng to ascertain the movements of the enemy, went to BurksviUe, and at that place received orders 21 244 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. to return to camp and report. These orders were in comphance with the orders of General Judah, issued in the morning, to suspend operations. The scouts returned, and reported that Morgan had united his forces, and that his rear regiment was then one and a half miles beyond BurksviUe, on the Columbia road, and his advance in Columbia. Thus, by the faUure to carry out General Hobson's plan, Kentucky, Indi ana, and Ohio were invaded, the whole country was wUd with excitement, lives were lost, much property destroyed, and the government was put to an addi tional expense of thousands of dollars. On the 3d of July, at six o'clock P. M., Genera. Shackelford's brigade was ordered to move toward Columbia, by way of Edmonton, a distance of thirty mUes. General Hobson was ordered to move with his brigade at six o'clock A. M., on the 4th, through Edmonton to Greensburg, wMch gave Morgan twenty- four hours' start of Hobson's brigade. General Hob son insisted that he should move that evemng with ?his forces, and thus save twelve hours. His wishes were not complied with. Hobson suggested to Gen eral Judah to send a courier directing General Man- MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 245 Bon, at TompkinsvUle, to move his brigade to Glasgow, and to send his infantry from that place to Cave Citv, and up the railroad to Elizabethtown, so that when he (General Hobson) arrived at Edmonton, he would be in communication with General Shackelford at Glas gow, and, still further, that he would communicate with General Judah at Glasgow. General Hobson reached Edmonton at twelve o'clock A. M., having marched sixteen miles over very rough roads. There he received a dispatch from General Shackelford, stating that Morgan had passed through Columbia on the 3d instant, and was then on the road leading to Lebanon. He sent information to General Judah, and requested Mm to send the Eleventh Kentucky, the Fifth Indiana, and Fourteenth Ilhnois Cavalry to Greensburg, to meet him at that place at two o'clock on the 5th instant. General Hob son received a reply from General Judah that his re quest would be granted. Hobson then moved from Edmonton at two o'clock on the 4th of July, and marched sixteen miles during the afternoon and night. Ten mUes of the distance they marched by torch-light» in order to get the wagon and artUlery train over the 246 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. hills and through the swamps. The General pushed on with his cavalry to the Little Barren River, fourteen mOes from Greensburg. At daylight on the 5th in stant, he issued orders directing the cavalry to move to Greensburg, and the infantry and artillery to fol low. They reached Greensburg at two o'clock P. M. At that place General Hobson learned that a small party of rebels had been in the place the day before, and tMeatened to hang Major R. L. Moore, a stanch Union man. They also suggested that it would be a good time to burn the residence of General Hobson. From this place Hobson sent a courier to General Judah, stating that he was waiting for him and his cavalry. The courier met him six miles south-west of Greensburg, and south of Green River. General Judah replied by the courier that he would not cross the river until the next morning. General Hobson at once determmed that he would not wait for him; so he issued orders to Ms cavalry to be ready to move at ten o'clock that night, and to his infantry and artillery not to attempt to follow bin, but to remain in the vicimty of Greensburg. General Hobson reached CampbellsvUle with his cavalry at four o'clock on the MORGAN AND HI? CAPTORS. 241 morning of the 6th instant. At that place he united with General Shackelford, and moved on toward Leb anon, and arrived at that place at one o'clock on -the same day. Morgan had left the place the evening before. It was at tMs place that General Hobson received orders from General Burnside, directing him to as sume command over General Shackelford's, Colonel Wolford's, and Ms own cavalry, and, with the com bined forces, to pursue and capture John Morgan, and to impress from the country through which he passed horses and subsistence. The command of General Hobson, when he marched from Lebanon and commenced the pursuit of Morgan, as commander of the expedition, consisted of twenty- five hundred cavalry, two pieces of artillery, and four mountain howitzers. It is scarcely necessary to add, after what has been written in a previous part of this work, that the pursuit through Kentucky, In diana, and OMo, was conducted under many disad vantages. General Hobson was in his saddle twenty- one days and nights, issmng orders, and urging on his men with 248 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. the most heroic determination, either to capture the great guerrilla, or perish in the attempt. With an advance-guard of only four hundred men, he overtook Morgan at Buffington Island, and there routed him, killing fifty-seven of his men and wounding twenty more, and forced him to abandon Ms artUlery, bug gies, carriages, and the merchandise which he had taken from the citizens of Indiana and OMo on his march tMough those states. So vigorous was the pursuit, that large numbers of the men and horses were exhausted and completely broken down. General Hobson testifies that he saw, during the march, as many as six hundred of his soldiers asleep in their saddles at the same time. But for this vigor ous pursuit, John Morgan would not have been cap tured and his forces scattered. And yet, in aU this matter, the modesty of General Hobson seems equal to his bravery. He says, " I do not claim the credit of capturing John Morgan." But he gives great credit to his officers and men, and says, " They are entitled to the thanks of the nation." He also gives great MORGAN AND HIS CAPTOR!. 249 credit to the ladies of Indiana and Ohio for their smiles, cheers, and especially for their provender, and says, "God bless them!" The ladies of Indiana and OMo, and the patriots of the land echo back the bene diction and say, " God bless General Hobson!" 250 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. CHAPTER IX. BEIGADIER-GENEEAL SHACKELFORD — HIS NATIVITY — IN THE MEXICAN "WAS — HTi PROFESSION AND MARRIAGE — HIS PERILS IN RAISING A REGIMENT IN KEN TUCKY — AT FORT DONELSON — HE LEADS A CHARGE — HIS WOUND — MADE A. BRIGADIER-GENERAL — HIS PURSUIT OF MORGAN TTIROUGH KENTUCKY, IN DIANA, AND OHIO — THE CATTLE AT BASHAN CHURCH, OHIO — ASSUMES COMMAND OF TIIE EXPEDITION — THE PURSUIT CONTINUED UNTIL MORGAN IS CAPTURED — SHACKELFORD IN EAST TENNESSEE — AT THE SIEGE OF KNOXVILLE AND IN OTHER ENGAGEMENTS. 'T is a matter for which every loyal heart should give praise to God, that, wMle he, in his infin itely wise providence, was permitting traitors to their country to spring up all over this land, he, at the same time, was raising up, before their very faces, true and loyal men, with iron nerves, who were ready to resist the deeds of traitors, even unto death. WMle in Central and Eastern Kentucky, such loyal men as Hobson, Hanson, Jacob, Crittenden, and many others were resisting the common enemy, a host of true patriots in the south-western part of the state were rising up in defense of the Natio lal Government. Preeminently among the latter stands Brigadier- Gen- MORGAN AND HIS CaPTORS. 251 eral J. M. Shackelford, who, with a heart as true to Ms country as the trusty blade that he holds in Ms hands, has won for himself great distinction and true honor. It may be well, before recording the various acts of General Shackelford, as connected with the present war, to give a brief sketch of his earlier Mstory. General Shackelford was born on the 7th of July, A. D. 1827, in Lincoln County, Kentucky, and was educated at the high-schools of that state. In the year 1847 he was commissioned First Lieu tenant of Company I, Fourth Kentucky Regiment of Volunteer Infantry, raised under the last requisition for troops, during the war with Mexico. The regi ment with which Lieutenant Shackelford was con nected was ordered to the City of Mexico, at which place it was stationed for a period of five months, and untU peace was declared. Shackelford was acting as Captain the greater part of the tune while in Mexico. In the year 1848 he commenced the study of lavr, with the Hon. J. P. Cook, Ms brother-in-law, of Mad- isonvUle, Kentucky. 252 MORGAN AND HIS JAPTORS. In the month of November, 1850, he was married to Miss M. E. Ross, of Union County, Kentucky, and, not having any patrimony, he taught school to sup port himself and his wife, and prosecuted his law studies at noon and night, untU he obtamed a hcense to practice law. After his licensure he formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, Hon. J. P. Cook, and continued to practice his profession until the com mencement of hostilities between the rebels and the government. In the month of July, 1861, General Robert An derson, of Fort Sumter memory, then in command of the United States forces in Kentucky, authorized Colonel Shackelford to raise one or more regiments of soldiers. At that time South-western Kentucky was overrun with rebels, and the man who undertook to raise soldiers for the government did so at the peril of his life. Colonel Shackelford, however, was not the man to be intimidated; so he at once estabhshed his head-quarters at Henderson, Kentucky, and succeedc 1 m raismg the Twenty fifth Kentucky Regiment of In fantry, which regiment he commanded at the battle of Fort Donelson, in February, 1862. On account of MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 253 great exposm-e at Donelson, the Colonel was stricken down with disease, and, in March, 1862, was com pelled to qmt the service on account of iU health. In the month of July following, the Colonel was again authorized by the government to raise a regiment of cavalry. In less than three weeks after receiving the authority from the government to raise a regiment, more than twenty companies of volunteers were raised to jom Ms regiment. The Colonel insisted that the government should permit him to receive all the com pames off'ered, but tMs was refused, and we think un wisely, by the government. On the 3d day of September, 1862, and before Ms regiment — the Eighth Kentucky Cavalry — ^had been mustered mto service, Colonel Shackelford led a charge agamst a piece of artUlery, at Geiger's Lake, on the OMo River. In that charge his left foot was torn to pieces by a slug fired from the cannon. The Colonel was confined to Ms bed for five weeks with the wound, at the end of wMch time he took the field, and, bemg unable to ride on horseback, he went with his regiment in a buggy, and traveled with it for months in this way. 254 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. South-western Kentucky was at that time filled with rebels and guerrUlas; consequently, the Colonel's regi ment was engaged almost every day m sku-mishing and fighting. Ir. the month of March, 1863, Colonel Shackelford was confirmed, by the United States Senate, as a Brigadier-General, and was placed in command of the South-western part of Kentucky. On the 27th of June, 1863, General Shackelford received orders to move at once to Glasgow, Ken tucky, with Ms brigade. The order was promptly obeyed. Morgan was then on the march for Kentucky, and crossed the Cumberland, as we have seen m the last chapter, at BurksviUe. General Shackelford was ordered to Columbia, via Edmonton. He arrived with his command at Libb's Bend on the morning of the 5th of July, where he learned that Colonel Moore had repulsed Morgan in his attack upon his works, the day before. On the night of that same day the command reached Camp bellsviUe, at which place the General received informa tion of the gallant defense, but final capture, of Colonel MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 255 Hanson and the Twentieth Regiment of Kentucky In fantry, at Lebanon, on that day. General Shackelford remained at CampbellsviUe until the following morning, awaiting the arrival of General Hobson's brigade. At Lebanon they met Colonel Wolford and his brigade. Here General Hob son took command of the three brigades ; Shackelford commanded his own and Hobson's brigade. Then the pm-suit of Morgan commenced in earnest. They pur sued him through Indiana and Ohio, and overtook him, on the 19th of July, at Buffington Island, at which place Morgan was completely -routed by the advance- guard of Hobson, as we have heretofore stated, as sisted by the gun-boats which General Judah had taken with Mm up the river. General Shackelford, who had been reinforced by the Eighth and Nmth MicMgan Regiments, under com mand of Colonel Sanders, was approaching the field of action at Buffington on a trot, when he received orders to reverse Ms column, and take the first road leading up the river, to cut off" the retreat of the rebels. Colonel Wolford, whose brigade was in the rear, had also been ordered to take the same road. The column 256 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. of Shackelford had just been reversed, and had reached the road, where it met the forces under command of Wolford, when a courier rushed up and reported that the enemy had attacked the rear of his column. Col onel Wolford at once reported to Shackelford for orders. He was ordered to leave two regiments to hold the road, and then follow Shackelford's forces with the rest of Ms command. Promptly the General reversed his column, and moved rapidly to the place of attack, and formed a line of battle. The Ninth Kentucky Cavalry, Colonel Jacob, was placed on the extreme right ; the Eighth Kentucky Cavah-y, Lieuten ant-Colonel HoUoway, in the center ; and the Twelfth Kentucky Cavalry, Colonel Crittenden, on the extreme left. The Second Tennessee and Forty-third Ohio Mounted Infantry were kept in reserve. The fight commenced, and continued for some time, when Shackelford ordered a charge to be made upon the rebel lines by the First, Third, and Eighth Regi ments of Kentucky Cavalry. With their sabers gleam ing in the bright sunlight of that Sabbath morning, and a terrifying yeU, those gaUant men rushed upon the enemy. The enemy fled at their approach, and Col- MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 257 onel Dick Morgan and his brigade were made pris oners. This engagement occurred at Bashan Church, four mUes in the rear of Buffington Island. After disposing of the prisoners. General Shackel ford reversed his column, and moved on the road run ning parallel with the river road, on which Morgan was maMng Ms escape. He marched fifteen miles in about two hours, and succeeded in throwing part of his force in the front of Morgan. Part of the com mand had been sent m various directions, after squads of rebels that had been scattered by the fight at Ba shan Church, so that Shackelford had but about six hundred men with him when he got in Morgan's front. The General, in person, together with Captain Hoff man, his Adjutant-General, and three or four other officers, made a reconnoissance within a short distance of the place where Morgan and about two thousand of his men were halted. He was found in a deep and almost inaccessible. ravine, Shackelford at once reported, to Generals Judah and Hobson, Morgan's position. It was, however, late in the evening, ani they did not receive the message in 258 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. time to mo"? 3 up the river. During the night the scat tered forces of General Shackelford were brought to gether, and the capture of Morgan seemed almost cer tain ; but, under the cover of night, he took his entire command along by-paths leading tMough the woods, and on the next morning, the 20th instant, he was four miles in advance of our forces. Shackelford imme diately commenced the pursuit, and that day witnessed the greatest race of the war. He had chased Morgan, by three o'clock that day, fifty-seven mUes, and fought him from three until four o'clock, and succeeded m routing and driving him upon a high bins'. Shackel ford at once demanded an unconditional surrender of Morgan and Ms command. Om- flag met a flag of the enemy, which was borne by Colonel Coleman, of Louis ville, Kentucky. They seemed exceedingly anxious to surrender, if General Shackelford would agree to re spect private property. He informed them that he would accept nothing but an unconditional surrender, and, at the same time, informed them that- it was not Ms purpose to rob them, although they had set the ex ample by robbing our men at Lebanon, Kentucky. It was the uB derstanding of General Shackelford and his MORGAN AJfD HIS CAPTORS. 259 officers that Morgan and his entire command, then and there, surrendered. It was raining at the time, and late in the evening before the rebels commenced com ing down from the hill. Morgan was not at the head of the prisoners. Shackelford inquired for him, when he was informed that Morgan had taken some six hun dred of his men and fled. The mght was spent in disposing of the prisoners captured at that point — Keiger Creek, ten miles from GalUpohs. The prisoners numbered about thirteen hundred. The next morning General Shackelford called for one thousand volunteers, to renew the chase. Colonel Capron, of the Fourteenth Illinois Regiment, joined our forces durmg the night. They were unable, how ever, to find more than five hundred horses, among our own and those that were captured, that were fit for the chase that day. Colonel Wolford, Colonel Capron, and Lieutenant-Colonel Melton, of the Second Ten nessee, and a number of other officers, volunteered. Colonel Jacob was ordered to take command of the forces that remained, and the prisoners. They started in pursuit of Morgan again, but did 22 260 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. not overtake him untU Friday, the 24th instant. In the mean time Major-General Burnside had issued au order placing General Shackelford in command of aU the forces in pursuit of Morgan. On Sabbath morning, the 26th of July, Major Way, of the Ninth Michigan Regiment, and a militia regi ment, met Morgan, and captured some two hundred of his men. Ascertaining the dhection Morgan had taken, and knowing that he would aim for the river. General Shackelford ordered Major Rue, Captain Ward, and Adjutant Carpenter to take the advance, and run out upon a road that would intercept Mm. The column immediately followed the advance. A courier from Major Rue reported that the enemy had just come into the road, in his front. Within a few moments a second courier said that Major Rue wanted reinforcements. General Shackelford pressed the command forward with the utmost speed. In the mean time Morgan had been brought to a halt by the advance force just spoken of. Morgan claimed, when Major Rue demandei his surrender, that he had already surrendered to a n ilitia captain. Rue, very properly, refused to take any ac- MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 261 tion whatever untU General Shackelford ehould arrive, except to hold securely his prisoners. Soon after the arrival of Shackelford, he ordered Morgan, Colonel Cluke, and their staffs, to foUo-fl' him. They rode back about two miles, and dismounted at a house, at which place Morgan asked for an mterview with Shackelford, calling several of his officers into the room. He then said that he had surrendered to a militia captain, and that the terms of surrender were that he and all of his officers and men were to be paroled. To all tMs General Shackelford replied that he would not for one moment entertain the idea of parohng him ; that he had followed him for thirty days and mghts ; that he had fought his command several times, and had defeated Mm upon every field ; and that when he made the pretended surrender to a mUitia captam, he was surrounded, and knew that es cape was impossible ; and that the surrender to a man that he held as a prisoner of war was simply absurd and ridiculous. He further informed Morgan that he would deliver him, and Ms men and officers, to General Burnside, at Cmcinnati. To aU tMs Morgan replied that what he then said 262 MORGAN AND HIS CAPIORS. was law, and that he would have to obey, as he was the captor, and he (Morgan) the captive. He reminded General Shackelford that, amid the fortunes of war, the thing might be changed, and that he might be the captor and Shackelford the captive. To this Shack elford replied that he neither asked nor granted favors. General Shackelford is a member of that highly-re spectable body of Christians called Cumberland Pres byterians, and is, we hope, a true soldier of the Cross. His dispatch to Colonel Lewis Richmond, Assistant Adjutant-General of Burnside, has the right ring, the tone of which has been admired by thousands of Chris tian people, of various denominations, all over thia land. Here it is : " Head-quarters in the Field, "j " Two Miles from New Lisbon, 0., July 26, 1863. ) " Colonel Lewis Richmond : " By the blessing of Almighty God, I have succeeded in capturing General John H. Morgan, Colonel Cluke, and the rest of their oommaud, numbering some four hundred. I will leave on the flrst train, with Morgan and his stafif, for Cin cinnati. I am, Colonel, yours, etc., " J. M. Shackelford, " Brig.-Gen. Commanding." MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 263 At Lexington, Indiana, General Shackelford made a speech to a large crowd of people, about twelve o'clock at night. As soon as he had got through Ms speech, the Adjutant of Colonel Jacob, who was standing close by the speaker, asked to be introduced to the ladies present. By some means, the impression was preva lent among the ladies that he was a General ; so he went round playing the General, and not only shaking hands with the ladies, but kissing the pretty ones and all the babies, to the great amusement of the sol diers, who knew that he was simply an Adjutant. At the battle of Buffington, wMch has been described in tMs chapter, and while our forces were in line of battle, and the buUets were fiying around like hail, a man was brought to Colonel Jacob by some of the skirmishers. He was a citizen, and was so much alarmed that he could not speak at first. After a short time, however, he gasped out, " Colonel, please save my corn as much as possible." Of course, the officers present were greatly amused when the Colonel said to the man, "I wiU grant your re quest." At the same place, just at the commencement of the 264 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. battle, a citizen, who had followed our army in a buggy, was suddenly taken with a strong desire to retreat. Leaving horse, buggy, and all, he commenced making rapid strides down the hill ; but some of our men, who were opposed to cowardice, and who pretended to be afraid of the bad example, brought him back, and com pelled him to smell the smoke of battle. The military career of General Shackelford does not end with the important part that he took in the capture of Morgan and his men. He has, since that time, been active and conspicuous in the campaign of East Tennessee. For the sake of preserving import ant historical events connected with this cruel rebell ion, and for the further purpose of giving proper credit to the man who rendered efficient service in capturing Morgan, and in behalf of bleeding and loyal East Tennesseeans, we here put .upon record the fol lowing important and interesting facts : After the capture of Morgan, General Shackelford returned to Kentucky. Soon after Ms return, it pleased the Lord to take from him his wife, who had been iU for months with the consumption. About this time he was ordered to report at Stanford, Ky., where MORGAN AND HIS CAJTORS. 265 a brigade of cavalry awaited him for the East Tennes see campaign. With his brigade, the General moved over the mountains into East Tennessee. On the 4th of September, 1863, he drove Buckner's retreatmg army across the Tennessee River at Lou don. Buckner burned the bridge at that point, a most splendid structure, to prevent the further pursuit of Ms forces. Shackelford was then placed in command of a cav ah-y division, composed of three brigades, with which he moved to and mvested Cumberland Gap. General Frazer was there m command of the rebel garrison. General Shackelford at once demanded an uncondi tional surrender of himself and his command, and gave him untU three o'clock of the same day to decide the matter. At twelve o'clock that night Shackelford sent a detachment of one hundred and fifty-odd men to drive in Ms outposts and pickets, and, at the same time, opened on Ms works with Ms artillery. The rebel General, expectmg a general assault, ordered his men withm the inner works. TMs gave to our force the opportumty of burning a mUl, which was the cMef dependence of the enemy for bread. The miU 266 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. was speedily consumed, and, on the 9th of September, the garrison surrendered; and thus, without any loss on our part, two thousand three hundred prisoners feU into the hands of our forces. From the Cumberland Gap this part of our army then moved back to Knoxville, and from thence tp Bristol, skirmishing and fighting with the rebel cav alry almost daily. Again they were ordered to Knox ville, for the purpose of rendering assistance to Gen eral Rosecrans. At this time one more brigade was added to the command of General Shackelford, and two brigades were ordered to Loudon and Sweetwater ; and Shack elford's division, in connection with one division of the Ninth Army Corps, moved east toward Bristol. They fought and defeated the enemy at Blue Springs, whereupon General Burnside ordered Shackelford to pursue the enemy with cavalry. On the 19th of Octo ber he fought the enemy, under command of Generals John S. WiUiams and Jackson, of Tennessee, and de feated them twice. They were strongly fortified at Carter's Station and Zollicoffer. Shackelford moved off" to then- left, as though he intended to make an MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 267 attack upon their salt-works. General Williams, to save the salt-works, moved out of Ms fortified posi tion, and met our forces near Blountville, and gave them battle. The rebel forces were defeated and routed. This was on the 21st of October. On that night they evacuated ZoUicoffer and Carter's Station, and fled, in the greatest consternation, into Virginia. On the 22d, the day foUowmg, our forces followed them to within a few miles of Abingdon, Virginia, and burned seven railroad bridges, three locomotives, thirty-odd cars, and tore up and burned five mUes of railroad track, and then returned to Jonesboro, a town noted as once bemg the residence of that great and good man. Rev. Dr. Nelson, who wrote the book called " The Cause and Cure of Infidelity," which has a world-wide reputation. From Jonesboro our forces moved to Greenville. On the 2d of November, by order of General Burnside, a cavalry corps, com posed of two divisions, was formed, and General Shackelford placed in command, with his head-quar ters at KnoxvUle. On the 15th of November, Shackelford, at the head of fourteen hundred soldiers, met Wheeler, the rebel 23 268 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. General, with Ms command, variously estimated from six to ten thousand troops, and fought him all day, and repulsed him severely at night. On the 17th instant the siege of KnoxvUle com menced. For several days parts of General Shackel ford's command were upon all sides of the town. Tho gallant General Sanders, who fell mortally wounded while commanding one of the outposts, commanded one division in his corps. About the sixth day of the siege, Shackelford was placed in command of all the forts, six in number, and all the forces on the south side of the river. At the latter place he had two desperate engagements with the enemy of Hood's division, and defeated him each time ; immediately after which the siege was raised. Shackelford was ordered, with his cavalry corps, to follow Longstreet. He pursued the enemy to Bean's Station, skirmishing and fighting with his rear every day. On the 14th of December, Longstreet, with his whole army, moved against Shackelford, who was at Bean's Station, with about four thousand soldiers. The battle commenced about two o'clock P. M., and , MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 269 continued untU after night had set in. Our forces possessed every advantage in position, but the enemy had at least five men to our one. The fighting waa desperate. The enemy acknowledged a loss of eight hundred kiUed and wounded, including one General wounded. The Federal loss was about two hundred. They skirmished aU the day following, and, on the night of the 15th, the Federals were ordered back to Blain's Cross-roads. On the morning of the 16th instant. General Shack elford, on leave of absence obtained from General Burnside, left for his home in Kentucky, having re mained in the field twelve days after permission had been granted Mm to leave his command. When the General arrived at Ms home, he found his widowed mother, then seventy-four years old, in a helpless condition. He also had four small mother less children. The condition of all was such as to impress Mm with the feehng that it was his duty to quit the army and take care of Ms mother and chil dren. He accordmgly sent his resignation to Wash ington, with the reasons of resignation, and they were considered satisfactory. Accordingly, on the 18th of 270 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. January, 1864, the President accepted the resignation of General Shackelford; and thus has ended, for the present, the mihtary career of one who has made for himself a name and a place deep in the hearts of thou sands of loyal people in Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, and Ohio. MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 271 CHAPTER X. COLONEL JB. T. JACOB, OF THE NINTH KENTUCKY CAVALRY AND LIEUTENANT-GOV- ERNOE OF KENTUCKY — A HEROINE AND DAUGHTER OF BENTON — THE EIRTU OV COLONEL JACOB — HIS EARLY CHARACTER— PEKILOUS JOUKNEY TO CALIFORNIA — COLONEL JACOB AND GENERAL FREIIONT IN CALIFORNIA — RETURN TO TIIE STATES — ?IARRIAGE — ILL HEALTH — IN MISSOURI — UNITES WITH THE PURr-DY- TERIAN CHUECH — A RULING ELDER — HIS CHARACTER — ELECTED A MEMUER OP TUE LEGISLATURE — DESERTS TIIE BRECKINRIDGE PARTY — ON THE COMMITTEE ON FEDERAL RELATIONS — SPEECHES — RE-ELECTED TO THE LEGISLATURE IN JSGl — HE IS STRONGLY IN FAVOR OF THE UNION — ENTERS THE MILITARY SERVICE — AT RICHMOND — FIGHT AT CLAY TILLAGE — A MOST EXCITING FIGHT AT LAWRENCEBURG COLONEL JACOB WOUNDED — EXCITING SCENE ON HIS RETURN TO HIS REGIMENT — ENGAGEMENT ON IOtH OF MARCH, 1803, WITH MORGAN'S ADVANCE — HIS PURSUIT OF MORGAN THROUGH KENTUCKY, INDIANA, AND OHIO — ELECTION AS LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR OF KENTUCKT^HIS SPEECHES. EARLY in the month of November, 1861, the writer of this book met, in one of the principal thoroughfares of the city of LouisviUe, a lady of no ordinary character, when the following conversation took place ; " I am informed, madam, that your husband is rais ing a regiment, and expects to go to war in defense of Ms country. Is it trae ?" " Yes, sir, it is true. My husband is a true Union 272 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. man, loves his country, and will make any sacrifice for its preservation." " But what wiU you do, on your large farm, with no one with you but your little chUdren?" " Sir, I do not expect to stay on the farm. I intend to go with my husband." " What good do you hope to accomplish by going with your husband to the tented field ?" " I expect, sir, to encourage my husband, and take care of him when sick or wounded, and to encourage every officer and soldier of his command to do Ms duty." " Well, madam, I think you will find a cotton tent a cheerless place, during the cold rains and snows of this winter." " Sir, I can endure as much as any man that walks these streets. Besides, I do not expect to live in a cotton tent all winter." " Where do you expect to spend the winter ?" " I expect to take my Christmas dinner in Charles ton, South Carolina." This woman had enough of the heroic and patriotic in her character to make her equal, m these respects, MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 273 to the noblest women that hved during the period of om- great Revolution. She had a strong mind and a warm heart, and, withal, was a true Christian and gen uine Presbyterian. She was the daughter of the late Hon. T. H. Benton, the sister of Mrs. General J. C. Fremont, and the wife of Colonel R. T. Jacob, a sketch of whose life we are now about to give to the reader. This noble woman has lately fallen " asleep in Jesus." She deserves to be remembered; and we have introduced her name in this connection, not sim ply because it affords a fit introduction to our subject, but because we desire to hold her name in sacred re membrance. " We are delighted to hold in proud and perpetual remembrance all those men of past ages who, by their learning, their genius, their suff"erings, or their swords, have battled most bravely for the rights of man, and have left their marks the deepest on the sands of time. " ' Patriots have toiled, and in their country's cause Bled nobly, and their deeds, as they deserve, Receive proud recompense.' In honor of their hallowed dust and their imperish able deeds, a grateful posterity has loved to pile the 274 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. monumental column higher and higher, until it meets the sun in his coming, and the last rays of departing day play around its summit." And why should we not delight to hold in perpetual remembrance the heroic and patriotic women of this and past generations ? We have felt free to pay this poor tribute of respect to a departed heroic Christian spirit, because it is a departed spirit ; and, in writing this sketch of him who is left to mourn his great loss, we can but express our regret that we do not feel at liberty to say of him, and because he still lives, what we have in our heart to say. We will confine our statements to a simple record of facts, leaving the reader to draw his own inferences. Colonel Richard Taylor Jacob was born on the 13th day of March, 1825, near SaltiUo, Oldham County, Kentucky, at the home of his great-grand father. Commodore Richard Taylor, an old Revolu tionary sailor, after whom Colonel Jacob was named. He is the son of John J. Jacob, who was for many years a citizen of Louisville, Kentucky, and who was one of the wealthiest men of that city. His chUdren inherited his large estate, and, of MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 275 course, his son Richard was a wealthy young man. But such was his character that his wealth did not, in the least degree, seem to be an injury to him. That can not be said of all young men who have inherited wealth. In very many instances, the children of wealthy parents have turned out to be a curse to themselves, their parents, and their race. But here is one exception to this general rule. Well does the au thor of these lines remember Colonel Jacob, or, as we then caUed him, " Dick," in our college days. He was the only wealthy young man in the class of which he was a member, and yet no one would have suspected, from Ms deportment among his fellow-students, that he was possessed of very considerable wealth. He was remarkable for his modest deportment, was neat in his personal appearance, and was in good repute as a moral, honorable, and studious young man. His health becoming greatly impaired, he resolved to make a iourney, over the plains, to California. His friends attempted to dissuade him from his purpose, and freely expressed to Mm their belief that he was too feeble to undertake so perUous a journey, and that, if he did undertake it, he would perish on the plains. 276 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. To all these entreaties of friends, he replied : " I will not stay here, leading a worthless life. I would rather leave my bones to bleach upon the plains, in what seems to be the path of duty, than stay at home, to be worthless, and die in bed." To carry out the purpose which he had formed, Mr. Jacob left his home and friends, in the city of Louis ville, on the 19th day of April, 1846, and started on his journey to California. He joined a large party of emigrants, near the town of Independence, Mis souri. They started on the overland trip on the 11th day of May, 1846. On the 12th instant, the day following, Mr. Jacob was elected Captain, to com mand one of the four companies into which the party was divided. So well did he discharge his dutv, in his new position, that, in a short time, he was elected second in command, and ultimately was offered the full command of the party to the Pa cific. He, however, declined the honors thus off'ered to him. Owing to the heavy wagon-train, the progress of the emigrants was slow. Captain Jacob, not feehng wiU ing to move at so slow a pace, selected nine men, and MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 277 with them undertook the very perilous journey of fifteen hundred miles, over what was then almost an unbroken route. TMs was the third party that had made the attempt to cross the Great Basin. The Uttle party pushed on, bravely encountering the many difficulties that they met on the journey. For some time their only food was grasshoppers and service-berries — rare diet, indeed, for men who had been accustomed to the refinements of civilized life ! They safely arrived, however, in California, in the latter part. of the month of August. Soon after this. Captain Jacob raised a company, and joined the force under command of Colonel (now General) John C. Fremont, and was put in command of a scouting party, which was on the move day and Mght, almost without intermission. He seldom faUed to catch the spies and scouts of the enemy, and kept the command well informed of all their movements. It will be remembered that, on the 20th of January, 1847, or about that time, the enemy surrendered to Colonel Fremont. Seeing that the war was virtually 278 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. at an end in California, Captain Jacob asked for and obtained leave to return to the states. He returned by way of the Isthmus of Panama. Before he left San Diego, Cahfornia, he received a letter from Col onel Fremont, recommending Mm to " the world" as a gentleman and a good officer, and that, too, m the highest terms. He reached the states on the 1st of May, 1847, and immediately proceeded to Washington City, and ap plied for an appointment in the army that was about to move into Mexico, but failed to secure the desired appointment. In the month of September following, the President called for twenty companies of volunteers. Captain Jacob at once commenced the work of recruiting, and, in a few days, had a full company, and off'ered it to the government. In the mean time as many as thirty-two compames were raised and off'ered to the government, but only twenty could be accepted, and Captain Jacob's was one of those which were rejected. Thus, after two praiseworthy efforts, he was com pelled to abandon the idea of taking part in the Mexican war. MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 279 He was called to attend the Fremont court-martial, as a witness, at Washington City; and, while there, married Sarah, the third daughter of Hon. T. H. Ben ton, on January 17, 1848. In the month, of March, 1849, he started again for Califorma, for the purpose of recovering Ms health, wMch had again become very poor ; but, by the time he reached the Isthmus of Panama, he was so en feebled that he could not proceed on his journey, but was compelled to return to his home. In the fall of 1849 he moved to the state of Mis souri, and purchased a farm near the town of Boone- viUe, hoping that active out-door life would benefit him. AVhile hvmg on his farm, his physician dis covered that all Ms poor health was the result of a fall which he had when a boy ; and, with proper rem edies, he was gradually restored to health, but not until he had been near death's door. The climate of Missouri did not seem to agree with Mrs. Jacob, and he again returned to his old home at Louisville, and shortly afterward purchased a large farm on the Ohio River, in Oldham County, just be low the viUage of Westport. 280 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. On the 1st of January, 1854, Captain Jacob, on profession of faith, united with the First Presbyterian Church of Louisville, then under the pastoral care of Rev. William L. Breckinridge, D. D., a most worthy minister of the Gospel. The Captam had a number of relatives in that Church, among Avhom was the gallant Colonel Pope, who was a ruling elder, and of whom we have spoken in a previous part of this work. Afterward both the Captam and Ms wife united with the little Church at Westport, where they exerted a most excellent influence for good, mingling freely with the poorest members of the Church, and, no doubt, sincerely regarding them as brethren beloved in the Lord. He was elected and ordained a ruling elder in the Church it Westport, and now holds that important office. We may act be correct in our opinion, but we have sometimes jhought we could see elements of character in Colonel Jacob not unlike those of " Old Iron sides" — we mean Oliver Cromwell. Whether he had any psalm singing in his camps or not, or whether his soldiers went into battle singing or not, we can not say ; but this we know, that he did, m every way in MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 281 his power, encourage every good and Christian work among his soldiers. He carried his rehgion with Mm into the camp. And, in this respect, he is a stanchng rebuke to those godless officers of the army who manifest so much contempt for chaplains and every thing of a rehgious character, a.nd who are profoundly ignorant of the fact that the bravest soldiers the world ever saw were CM-istian soldiers. In confirma tion of what has just been stated concerning the char acter of Colonel Jacob, we give the following proof only. We might add other proof, but this is sufficient to evince in him a sincere desire for the spiritual welfare of the soldiers : "Galt House, October 13, 1863, "Mr. Isaac RusseU: " Dear Sir — I have watched with great interest the work being executed by the Christian Commission. It is true, owmg to the very active service of our Ken tucky cavalry for the last twelve months, I have not seen as much of the work as those commanding in fantry ; still, I have seen sufficient to justify me in saying the Commission is doing a great and noble work. I have had my camp visited by gentlemen 282 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. belonging to the Commission, and found the men always pleased to see them, and rejoiced to obtain reading matter. Soldiers, accustomed to an exciting hfe, must have something to amuse them when they return to camp. If they have not books, they are apt to take to card-playing. I have noticed, with pleasure, as a general thing, they prefer books, espe cially the Bible. I have distributed two hundred Test aments, in a very short space of time, among my soldiers. They came, in many instances, voluntarily to obtain them ; and those who came too late, the supply being exhausted, appeared to be much disap pointed. Also, when the Commission would leave packages of books with me for distribution, they would be taken directly by the men. " I give these instances to show with what avidity the soldiers receive the books that the Commission distributes, hoping that it may prove an incentive to the members to pursue their glorious work. " With the prayer that a Divine Providence may abundantly bless the work of the Commission to the salvation of the souls of many noble men, who are defending with their lives the heritage of our fathers, MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 288 and not only theirs, but also the souls of many of our misguided bretMen, who may come under their foster- mg care, " I remain, very sincerely and truly, "Richard T. Jacob, "Colonel of the late Ninth Kentucky Cavalry." In 1859 the name of Captain Jacob was suggested, through the public prints, by a number of his fellow- citizens, and that, too, without consultation with him, as a suitable person to represent the county in the next Legislature. Although comparatively a stranger, he received the nomination as a candidate ; and, after a thorough canvass of the county, was elected by a large majority. The distinction which he won for him self during the regiUar session of the Legislature fully satisfied his constituents that they had sent the right man to the right place. He was afterward appointed an assistant Breckinridge elector, and made many speeches, during the Presidential canvass, in favor of Major Breckinridge. He always, and in every speech, professed undying attachment to the Union, and most sincerely believed that it was a calumny to call Major 24 284 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. Breckinridge a disunionist. He was a member of tha extraordinary sessions of the Kentucky Legislature, the first of which commenced in January, and the second of which ended in June. It was at this time that Captain Jacob became fully satisfied that Major Breckinridge and his whole party, except himself and one other member in the Legislature, were secession ists. At once he gave them to understand that they had deceived the people, and told them boldly that he would wipe his hands of the "ivhole concern?' He was afterward appointed a member of the Com mittee on Federal Relations, and, while acting in that capacity, wrote a series of resolutions, which were adopted as the majority report of the Committee. The Legislature adopted only three of the resolutions. The design of the paper was to set forth the media torial and neutral position of Kentucky — a position which, at the time, was accepted both by Union men and secessionists. Both parties expected to receive great advantage from it, and it proved to be of great advantage both to Kentucky and the General Govern ment. The state has been greatly censured for as suming a position for which there was no warrant in MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 285 the Constitution, and which seemed to acknowledge the Southern Confederacy as an independent nation, and on a parity with the government of the United States. It is not our purpose now to discuss this question, but we desu-e to state that, while Captain Jacob advo cated the mediatorial and neutral position, he did so from motives that were pure, loyal, and in the highest degree patriotic. He believed that it was the only position, at the time, that could save the state from being hurled headlong mto the vortex of secession. It is proper to state that, at that period, the lower branch of the Legislature Avas nearly equally divided between the two parties. The vote stood forty-eight for the Umon and forty-seven for secession. About six out of the forty-eight Union men were not con sidered very reliable. Captain Jacob, by casting his vote with the Umon members, made a majority of one. It is wonderful that the state was not lost, at that time, to the UniQp. The position of Captain Jacob at this time was ex- tiemely embarrassing; but, in a short time, his burn- mg patriotism won for Mm the good opinion of all the 886 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. Union members. It will be seen, from what has just been stated, that the Union members were forced to do what they did, or else give up the state to anarchy and secession. If they had taken the position of " coer cion " at that period of time, they would have lost the six doubtful votes, and would have thrown the Unien party in the Senate into the minority. The secession majority of both houses would then have instantly voted ten millions of dollars for the defense of the state ; the arms purchased would have been placed m the hands of secessionists ; the Union men would have. been unarmed, overawed ; and the state would have been hurled into secession, and the Confederate army immensely strengthened. Thus the Union party, by agreeing to the media torial position, for the time being, and professing, at the same time, undying allegiance to the General Government, as " the palladium of our liberties," foiled the secession leaders, kept a worMng majority in the House, armed the Union men of the state, instead of secessionists, and, when the confiict came, the Union men were, at least, partly prepared for the terrible conflict. MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 287 We think that we can state, with a considerable de gree of correctness, the reasons that influenced Cap tain Jacob in favor of the mediatorial and neutral po sition of Kentucky — or, rather, the Legislature of the state, for it is well known that there were thousands of Union citizens opposed to tMs position, even at that time. The war had not then actually begun, and Captain Jacob believed that it was right and proper to save the country from its horrors, if it could be done by a satisfactory compromise. He firmly believed that, in a military point of view, it was the best thing that could be done, under the circumstances. It perfectly protected seven hundred and fifty miles of territory along the Ohio River, gave the nation time to concen trate its military forces along that important line, and time to prepare for the great contest, while it saved not less than one hundred thousand Kentucky soldiers from being forced into the service of the Confederate army. The following resolutions will explain the views of Captain Jacob, in regard to neutrality, better than we can. Any one who wUl read these resolutions will 288 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. have a clear idea of his views, and will not have s doubt of his patriotism and unconditional love of the Union : RESOLUTIONS IN RELATION TO NEUTRALITY, ETC. By Captain Jacob, of Oldham County. " I. Resolved, hy the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, That Kentucky has always looked upon the Union of the states and the preservation of liberty as one and inseparable, now and forever. " 2. Resolved, That we assumed neutrality and mediation, not to destroy, but to preserve, the unity of the states; not to cast off our allegiance to the Federal Government, but to try and win back peaceably, by proper mediation and compromise, the seceded states to their allegiance. " 3. Resolved, That when we assumed neutrality, we intended it merely as an abeyance of our constitutional duty, by the sufferance, not independence, of the General Government, nor for the selfish purpose alone of preserving our peace, but for the far nobler and holier purpose of refraining from the com bat, so that we could appeal both to the North and South to stay the fratricidal and unnatural combat, and to offer our services as mediator to adjust the diflSculties that, unhappily, had arisen, and restore the work of our fathers. "4. Resolved, therefore, That when the General Government occupies our soil for its defense, in pursuance of a constitutional right, it neither compromises our assumed neutrality nor gives the right to the Confederate forces to invade ov,r state on the assumption that our neutrality has been violited, especially when they first set foot upon our soil upon the plea of military necessity. MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 289 " 5. Resolved, further, That the honor of Kentucky will not permit her to make any concessions or compromises to the Confederate forces as long as one hostile foot presses her soil. " 6. Resolved, That Kentucky's neutrality has not been as sumed from fear, but from love, to all parts of the Union ; and if she is forced into this combat, that, with a brave heart and clsar conscience, she will appeal fearlessly to the God of bat tles; and, if that dread hour must come, Kentucky expects every son to do his duty. She appeals to them by all the cher ished memories of the past; by the memory of Eaisin, of New Orleans, of Buena Vista, by all the rich hopes of the future, she demands that they stand by her until the last armed in vader is driven from her soil. Who will be so base as to de sert her ? Who will stand before history as both traitor and coward to the state whose great heart throbs with undying love to the sisterhood of states, knowing no sectional limits, but, in her love, embracing a boundless continent ? If there be such a one, may his name be branded with infamy to the remotest time!" The above resolutions were adopted in both Houses, without a call of the yeas and nays. The speeches made by Captain Jacob, when he was a member of the Legislature, were, with one exception, very brief. He made it a rule never to take up the time of the House unnecessarUy. He seemed to have the happy faculty of seeing clearly the arguments that were pertinent, and frequently presented them with great power. 290 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. He was reelected to the Legislature of 1861 by a very largely increased vote over his previous- elec tion. The two Houses of the Legislature convened the first week in September, 1861. That week was big with the most important events, although half the people of Kentucky were ignorant at the time of the terrible storm that was about to burst upon them. During this week the state was invaded by a large Confed erate army, and, at the same time, a great conspiracy was about to break out in the very midst of the peo ple, but which was provided for and defeated, as we have shown in the first chapter of this work. Tho Legislature was not captured or dispersed, and one made up of conspirators put in its place, as was in tended. During this session of the Legislature, Captain Ja cob took decided steps for war, in favor of the govern ment, and against the Confederacy. Some time in the month of October following. Cap tain Jacob commenced raising a regiment of infantry. Before his regiment was filled, an order was issued to consolidate the skeleton regiments of the state. Tho MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 291 men enhsted by Captain Jacob were placed in the Thirteenth Kentucky Regiment of Infantry. This order prevented him from entering, for a time, the military service of his country, as he greatly desired. Probably it was well for the country that it was so, for he made a number of effective speeches, where they were needed, in favor of the war and the government, during the few following months. We now come to consider the mUitary career of Captain Jacob, wMch, m the great civil conflict of our country, is one of no ordinary interest. In the month of July, 1862, John H. Morgan, the noted guerriUa chieftain, invaded the state of Ken tucky, and moved about with very considerable free dom. He seemed to do very much as he pleased. Captain Jacob felt outraged by tMs whole affair, and at once made a proposition, through the public jour nals, to be one of flfteen hundred or two thousand men, who should arm and equip themselves, at their own expense, for the pursuit and overtMow of Mor gan and his forces; and, had not Morgan fled fa-om the state, Captain Jacob would have raised thousands of the best young men of Kentucky to carry out Ma 25 292 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. purpose. Communications poured in upon him from every part of the state, from young men, accepting his proposition. Afterward he was off'ered a commission as Colonel, to raise a regiment of cavalry, of twelve hundred and fifty men, to serve JFor twelve months, which he ac cepted. In less than three weeks after receiving his com mission, he raised two thousand flve hundred men for the cavalry service, but was not permitted to keep more than one regiment. This regiment has made for itself a name that wUl hve in the annals of history. Having been mustered into the service of the United States, it marched at once to meet the enemy, who were then under the command of Generals Bragg, Smith, and Morgan, invading the state of Kentucky. One week after this, part of one company of this regiment were actmg as a body-guard to General Nel son, and were captured at the disastrous battle of Richmond. The night after the defeat of General Nelson's forces, Colonel Jacob, under command of General MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 293 Jackson, arrived witMn one and a half miles of Rich mond, with the greater part of his regiment, to gether vfith the Ninth Pennsylvania Regiment of Cav alry, before he knew of the defeat of Nelson. They at once retreated, and marched all night, and all of the foUowing day, and reached Lexington, after having been in the saddle and on the march thirty-six hours. The first engagement that seems to us to be of suf ficient importance to record, was the one into which Colonel Jacob led his men, near Clay Village, in Shelby County. One half of his regiment had been sent, under command of its Lieutenant-Colonel, with General BueU. Colonel Jacob, with his remaming force, met and bravely fought Scott's rebel brigade, composed of one Georgia, the First Louisiana, and Stearns's Ten nessee Regiments. The mfantry first drove them from the woods, in wMch they had taken shelter. Colonel Jacob then cr- dered Ms fragment of a regiment to charge. Bravely they tMew themselves upon the rebel brigade — their Colonel leading, iu the very front — and, strange to tell. 294 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. tMs handful of brave men drove the enemy two miles from aU support. Colonel Jacob then saw that there was danger that his little force would be outflanked. He promptly ran his men back about a quarter of a mile, then suddenly wheeled, and made another charge, which, to the en emy, seemed perfectly irresistible, for they fled, panic-stricken, " pellmeU," before this little, but he roic, force of cavalry, to Frankfort, the Capital of the state. They carried the pamc with them into the town, and started Bragg and the whole "rebel concern" that had just been engaged in inaugurating one Hawes as rebel Governor of Kentucky. Colonel Jacob received the Mghest praise for this heroic achievement from General Ejik — that brave Illinois soldier, who fell, mortally wounded, in the ter rible battle of Stone River Previous to this fight, the infantry of the division with which the Ninth Regiment was connected had a very poor opinion of cavalry; but, ever afterward, they had a higher appreciation of this arm of the service, and especially of the Ninth and their brave MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 295 officers. They were the "pets" of the division to which they belonged. On Wednesday, the 8th day of October, 1862, the day of the battle of Perryville, Colonel Jacob's regi ment was attacked by a very large force of cavalry. This was a hand-to-hand engagement. Colonel Alston, of South Carolina, and Colonel Jacob, were personally engaged. Their pistols were, at one time, and for several minutes, not more than three feet from each other's heads. Colonel Jacob's pistol failed to fire, three successive times. By changing the position of his horse, he forced Colonel Alston to change Ms position a few feet ; and this time his pistol fired, and Colonel Alston fell from his horse. Colonel Jacob then turned around to encourage Ms men, and found that they had been forced back by superior numbers, while he was engaged with their Colonel in tMs hand- to-hand fight, and that a long line of rebel cavalry was between himself and Ms regiment. The Colonel then rode rapidly to a commanding po sition near by, and commenced cheering his men, with a stentorian voice, over the heads of the enemy's cav alry, that were between himself and his regiment, and 296 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. who were fighting, at the time, hke demons. "My brave boys," cried the Colonel, " do n't give back an inch ! Charge ! charge them .'" They heard the voice of their brave commander above the din of battle, and saw his peril ; they rushed forward — the enemy feU back. But while Colonel Jacob was encouraging his troops, from his prominent and exposed position, he was suddenly sm-rounded by nine of the enemy, who at tempted to drag him from his horse. By the move ments of his horse, and a constant effort to fire at them, he kept them at bay; but, unfortunately, Ms pistol would not fire. The enemy were closing in upon him, when one of their number ran from a fence- corner, just at the back of the Colonel, and, with a Bowie-knive in his hand, and that hand outstretched over the rump of his horse, was about to make the fatal thrust, when the noble horse gave the assassin a kick that sent Mm, heels over head, m the rear. The horse then, springing forward, cleared the Colonel from his assaUants. They poured a storm of bullets after him, as he fled, doing Mm no damage, except shooting Ms cap from his head, and inflicting a slight MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 297 wound on his forehead. But he was not yet freed from the perilous situation. The Colonel galloped on with his horse, and his as sailants followed after him. He saw a fence before him, and then he began to despair of escape. Before reaching the fence, he saw one of his men near by, and called to him to throw off" the top rails, which he did promptly, and his horse sprang over. The noble animal moved on, the Colonel sitting sideways in Ms saddle, watching his pursuers, when suddenly he dis covered a man near by Mm, whom he took to be a Home Guard, but who shot the Colonel while trying to determine whether he was friend or foe. The baU passed through the fleshy part of the breast, making a hole tMee or four inches above the heart, and then passed tMough the large muscle of the arm, very close to the artery. His foe, as soon as he shot him, cried out, "Halt! surrender!" " I won't do it ! " the Colonel laconically re pUed. " I will make you halt ! " said the rebel. " Come and try it ! " said the Colonel, as he moved 298 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. on from the field of action, with the blood drippmg from his wound, and down the sides of his steed. Just at this time the Colonel discovered a wide gully before him, and, knowing that he was badly wounded, thought it prudent to put it between himself and his enemy, before he made battle. He therefore put the spurs to his horse, and, with a bound, the noble ammal cleared the ditch. Immediately he turned around to give battle ; but, to his great joy, he saw his pursuer stretched out on the ground. Some skirmishers from the Fifteenth Regiment of OMo Volunteers, and some of Colonel Jacob's own men, had put five balls through him. Strange to say, that man recovered. Thus, after being m the very jaws of death, the Colonel rejoined his regiment. In the mean time they had defeated the enemy. Colonel Jacob was then put into an ambulance, and followed the army for three days, hoping that he would be sufficiently recovered of his wounds in a short time to resume command; but on the fourth day, by order of Brigadier-General Sill, he was sent to LouisvUle untU he was fit for duty. MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 299 As soon as the Colonel recovered from his wounds he returned to his regiment. When he arrived at the encampment the rain was pouring down in torrents; but the news spread rapidly from tent to tent, and the soldiers came rushing out through the rain to wel come their leader with shouts that could be heard a mile distant. Every man rushed up to him to press him by the hand. No speeches were made by either party after the shout of welcome. Their hearts were too fuU for. utterance. They stood in each other's presence bathed in tears. Strange sight ! The very men who had seen their comrades and foes lying all around them bleeding, wounded, mangled, and dead, more than once on the field of carnage, and that, too, without a tear, now wept hke children ! The brave love the brave, and can weep for joy as well as for sorrow. The next engagement in which Colonel Jacob took part, and ts hich is well worthy of record, was on the 10th of May, 1863. He had aided in driving the enemy into Tennessee. When he returned to Ken tucky from the chase into Tennessee, he was ordered by General Carter to recross the Cumberland River 300 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. at Jamestown. Owing to very heavy rains for sev eral days, the river had become very much swollen, so much so that the water was ten feet deep on the fords. He had but one small boat, which could not hold more than five horses at a time. This, of course, would make the process of crossing somewhat tedious and slow, and so the Colonel ordered Ms command to swim the river. At that time he was commanding a brigade com posed of three regiments of cavalry — the Twen tieth Regiment of Michigan Infantry, the Twenty- fourth Regiment of Indiana Infantry, and one section of two pieces of artUlery. The infantry and artillery were placed in a position to protect the cavalry whUe they were engaged in swimming the river. Colonel Jacob immediately started out one hundred of his sol diers, selected from the Ninth and Twelfth Kentucky Cavalry and the Twentieth Michigan Regiments, un der the command of Captains Wiltsie, Wilson, and Searcy, for the purpose of destroying a band of guer rillas. The little force succeeded in capturmg a num ber of the gang, but feU in with what proved to be MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 301 the advance of John Morgan. They, however, sup posed the enemy to be the band commanded by the notorious Champ Ferguson, who neither asked nor gave quarters, and they fought most desperately, and succeeded m making good their escape. Colonel Jacob received information concermng this aff'air about sunset. Immediately he crossed the river with a few officers and men, and ordered five hun dred and seventy-five of the mfantry and dismounted cavalry to follow. He at once hurried up to the "Nar rows," in the Horse-shoe Bottom, a place of great- natural strength. At tMs point he found part of the expedition, who had escaped by way of the main road. Pickets were stationed, and the Colonel and his httle force slept in the "Narrows" that night. At eight o'clock the next (Sabbath) morning, May 10, the pickets were driven in. At first Colonel Jacob supposed the enemy to be a small band of guerrUlas, and, not wishing to expose his men more than might be necessary, concluded to make an Indian fight ; that is, fight from beMnd the trees. This was kept up for several hours, when the Colo- 302 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. nel informed his officers that they were evidently fight ing the advance of a large .force. In order to determ ine whether this was really the fact or not, a piece of artillery was sent for. The distance from this place to the river was four miles, and seven hours and fifteen minutes elapsed before the artillery arrived. The Colonel massed a small force of three hundred and fifty men from the Michigan regiment, and one hundred from the Twelfth Kentucky Cavalry, and kept in reserve about one hundred and twenty-five dismounted cavalry. The artillery captain was a very brave man, but was somewhat nervous about his cannon, fearing that he might lose it in the engagement. The Colonel said to him, " I will give you another, if you lose the one you now have, and ordered him to a commanding position, from which he suddenly opened on the enemy, and then the order was given to charge. The little band charged up to the very face of the enemy, who were behind rail-pens and houses. The artillery knocked down the houses, and the enemy marched out in double-quick time. The enemy, two regi ments in number, were about to surrender, when MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 303 Morgan arrived with seven fresh regiments, and pre cipitated them upon this noble little band. They fought this large force of the enemy for some time most heroically, but finally gave way before su perior numbers. During the engagement, Colonel Jacob ordered the artillery to break the massed columns of the enemy with shell, as they had no grape with them. The artillery threw shell after shell into the ranks of the enemy at the short dis tance of not more than two hundred and fifty yards, which scattered them m every direction. The Col onel then ordered his men to fall back into the "Narrows," m order to prevent the enemy from flanking his force. He then commenced retreating with the men, who were worn out by a hard day's fight, and so placed his reserve force, of one hun dred and twenty-five men, that they completely covered his retreat, and held Morgan's force in check. As soon as they arrived at the river, a messen ger overtook them, and informed the Colonel that Morgan had sent in a flag of truce, demanding an unconditional surrender, but the Colonel replied 304 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. "that he would not surrender until he had fired the last shot in the locker." He then ordered the officer to retreat with the reserve force as soon as the flag of truce left. The order was promptly obeyed, and the retreat conducted without the loss of a man. They left three pickets, expecting that they would fall into the hands of the enemy, dead or alive. The pickets, finding that they were deserted, deliberately fired into the pickets of the enemy, and then darted away into the Mils, and made good their escape. In the mean time Colonel Jacob recrossed the river with his en tire force. Thus the little band of four hundred and fifty men encountered a force numbering not less than four thousand five hundred men, and fought them for forty- five minutes. Those who witnessed it testify that it was an extremely fierce conflict. The Federal loss was forty-four MUed, wounded, and missing. The rebel loss was one hundred and fifty-seven kUled, and many wounded. The houses for miles around were filled with their wounded. Morgan, at this time, was on the march for the purpose of making an extensive raid through Kentucky. This fight was the means of MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 305 checking Mm, and kept him back for two months, and at a time when the state was poorly prepared to meet the great raider and his hosts. TMs was the first time that Morgan had been foiled in his attempts to invade Kentucky. We need not, in tMs connection, give any lengthy account of the part taken by Colonel Jacob and his regiment in the capture of Morgan. It wUl be suffi cient to say that they met the famous guerrilla cMef- tam at M-arrowbone, and there most bravely resisted Ms advance, in the commencement of the great raid through Kentucky, Indiana, and OMo, and never gave up the chase until Morgan and his force were cap tured. It was Major Rue, of Colonel Jacob's com mand, with detachments from the Ninth and Eleventh Kentucky Cavalry, that finally captured the great guerrUla. An account of the fight at Marrowbone,, just al luded to, will be found in the sketch of Brigadier- General Hobson, in another part of this book. General Hobson said of Colonel Jacob and Ms regiment, that " they deserved great credit for the manner in which they received the charge of the 306 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. enemy at Marrowbone, and the manner in which they repulsed them. Colonel Jacob's conduct on that occasion," said the General, " was gallant and praise worthy." To this highly honorable testimony to his character as a military commander, we may add the following correspondence, wMch will show the estimate in which he was held by soldiers and civilians, who had a fai'- opportunity of weighing his character and knowing its value in this respect : " Camp Ninth Kentucky Cavalry, | "Near Lebanon, Ky., March 9, 1863. j " Colonel R. T. Jacob .- " Sir — In behalf of the field, staff", and hne officers of your regiment, allow us to ask your acceptance of tMs sword, as a slight testimonial of the high esteem we have for you as a gaUant officer, a true gentleman, and a friend of the soldier, being satisfied that we could not bestow the gift upon one more worthy, and that you will not permit it to become tarnished by rust while the weal of your country demands it, as evi denced by your gallantry at Clay Village and other engagements with the enemy while invading our state, MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 307 but particularly upon the field at Lawrenceburg, when you received the scars you so nobly wear. " We are, Colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servants, "George W. Rue, Major. "William Bailey, Surgeon. "J. H. Burns, Captain. "Frank H. Pope, Lieut, and Adjt." " Camp near Lebanon, Kt., March 9, 1863. "Messrs. George W. Rue, Major; William Bailey, Surgeon; J. H. Burns, Captain; and Frank H. Pope, Lieutenant and Adju tant : " Gentlemen of the Committee — Permit me, through you, to express to the field, staff', and hne officers of my regiment, my thanks for the beautiful sword they have so delicately and unexpectedly pre sented to me. It is, indeed, a great compliment to be styled a ' gallant officer, a true gentleman, and friend of the soldier,' by those who have been so intimately associated with me by the camp-fire, in the hospital by the side of the sick soldier, and on the battle-field whore the deadly struggle has taken place for the honor of the flag and the preservation of the unity of the country, and the perpetuity of freedom. I wUl 26 308 morgan and his captors. pledge you, gentlemen, that 'no rust shall tarnish' the blade of my beautiful present as long as the cause of my country demands it. With the battle-cry of ' One flag, one country, and the Constitution bequeathed to us by our fathers,' we will be invincible. No man can wish for peace, no one can love his countrymen, of all sections, more than I do ; but there can be no peace as long as an armed traitor remains. Before that halcyon day of peace can come, there must be an unconditional submission to the laws, the flag, and the Constitution. We must not sheathe the sword, my beloved companions in arms, until our beloved Ken tucky nestles and sleeps within the bosom of a great, united, and peaceful nation. Until that day comes, as most assuredly, under a Divine Providence, it will, there will be no peace for our beloved native state. Torn, distracted, and desolate, she will be but the pathway of contending armies. What is much to other states is life to Kentucky. Her very existence depends upon the states. The lives of her citizens and the safety and preservation of their property demand of her true sons no compromise until there is unconditional submission to the laws of the land, MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 309 and the preservation of the unity of the country is secured. Nature herself, with her many beautiful rivers flowing into one great artery — the rivers b? the North flowing to the South, and the rivers of the South flowing to the North — demands that we shall remain one people and one nation. The perpetuity of freedom demands it ; and, with our good and trusty swords, we will make the demand good. " In conclusion, gentlemen, after making an apol ogy for digressing, permit me again to thank you for your kind words, youi- beautiful present; and believe me, smcerely and truly, " Your devoted friend, " Richard T. Jacob, "Colonel Ninth Kentucky Cavalry.'' "Jamestown, Russell Co., Kt., November 3, 1863 " The citizens of the border counties were called together, in convention, at Jamestown, Russell County, Kentucky, on the 3d day of November, 1863, the Cir cuit Court being in session, for the purpose of taking some action as to the defense of the border. " The convention being caUed to order, and the ob- 310 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. ject explained by a short and appropriate speech by Judge W. M. Green, of Russell, Nathan McCluer was chosen President and William A. Jones Secretary. " On motion, the President appointed a committee, consisting of T. T. Alexander, of Adair ; M. H. Ows ley, of Cumberland ; E. Coffey, of Casey ; G. W. Hust, of Clinton; H. P. Gadbesy, of Pulaski; W. M. Green and J. A. Williams, of Russell, to draft resolutions ex pressing the sense of the convention. " The committee, after retiring for a short time to their rooms, reported the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted : "Resolved, That, whereas the border counties of Kentucky are now afflicted with evils and troubles of the most alarming character, resulting from depreda tions from armed bands of guerriUas and robbers, who are plundering, murdering, and robbing our citizens almost daily, and the civU laws of the land are almost entirely valueless, for want of power to enforce them ; and whereas. Colonel R. T. Jacob, formerly of tho Ninth Kentucky Cavalry, while with us for our pro tection and defense, so conducted himself as a soldier and a gentleman, as also his regiment of gallant offi- MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 311 cers and soldiers, as to secure the full and perfect con fidence of all good citizens ; therefore, we, the people of Adair, Casey, Clinton, Cumberland, Pulaski, and Russell, assembled in convention at Jamestown, Rus sell County, Kentucky, return to Colonel Jacob and his gallant band our heart-felt thanks for their timely aid and protection heretofore given us ; and, while we do not desire to take Colonel Jacob from the duties of the high position which the people of Kentucky have recently conferred upon him, yet we most earnestly desire and request that he will organize the gal lant old Nmth, and that he will again be permitted to come among us, and bring quiet again to our people. " T. T. Alexander, of Adair. " M. H. Owsley, of Cumberland. " G. W. Hust, of Clinton. " E. CoFEEY, of Casey. " A. J. Gadbesy, of Pulaski. " W. M. Green, of Russell. " J. A. Williams, of RusseU. "Resolved, That the proceedings of this convention be published in the Louisville papers, and that a copy 312 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. be forwarded to Colonel Jacob, and that all the Ken tucky papers be requested to copy. " On motion, the convention adjourned. " Nathan McCluer, President. "Wm. a. Jones, Secretary." " Clifton, November 26, 1863. "To Messrs. Nathan McCluer, President; Wm. A. Jones, Sec retary; and T. T. Alexander, of Adair ; M. H. Owsley, of Cumberland. ; G. W. Hust, of Clinton ; E. Coffey, of Casey; A. J. Gadbesy, of Pulaski; W. M. Green, J. A. WiUiams, of Russell; Committee of the Convention held at Jamestown, November 3, 1863 -. " Gentlemen — The proceedings of the convention held at Jamestown were received in due time. It was my wish to have seen the Governor before I answered, but my business has prevented me from domg so ; and, fearing you may misunderstand my silence, I an swer, as far as I can, now. " I understand from those who have conversed with the Governor that all the twelve-month regiments for the defense of the state are already organized. There fore, if I were to call the gallant men of tho Ninth Kentucky Cavalry together, it would have to be for three years, and they would not be retamed for the MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 313 defense of the border, but immediately sent to the front, which would not meet the wishes of ourselves and people. I had a conversation with General Hob son, who was kind enough to give me an outline of his plan for defending the border from the desperate men who have so sorely afflicted it. He will pardon me for saying that I approve of it fully; and I have no doubt, if he is permitted to carry it out, will not only protect the border to a very great degree, but wiU de stroy many of the scoundrels who desolate it. He is keenly ahve to your pitiable condition ; and I feel as sured, if given the proper force and disposition of it, wUl adequately protect you. " Whether or not I will be permitted to raise my brave old Ninth and go to assist in your defense, I most certainly wUl aid your gallant Governor, who is using every exertion to protect all parts of the state, with aU the energy that I possess. You may rest as sured that every effort made for your defense will meet with my hearty approval and earnest cooperation, and that nothing would please me more than to be again at the head of my gallant regiment, batthng in defense of your firesides. 31 4 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. "When I first went to your assistanc3, last spring, I felt a livfly interest in your welfare, because you had stripped yourselves of suitable protection, by sending the flower of your youth to defend the honor and unity o." our country, assailed by recreant traitors. Now that I have been among you, and have learned to love your true, warm-hearted, patriotic population, I would fail it an honor to wear myself out, and, if necessary, to give up my life, in jr^nr defense. " With many thanks for the distinguished compli ment whith so gallant and patriotic a people have paid to m/self and regiment, " I remain, gentlemen, " V'ery truly and smcerely your friend, "Richard T. Jacob." It will be remembered that the regiment commanded by Colonel Jacob was enlisted only for a term of twelve months. During that time his character as a patriot and soldier had been such, and so bravely did ho defend the interests, the property, and lives of his fellow-citizens against the common enemy and frequent invaders of the state, that m August, 1863, he was MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 315 elected, by an overwhelming majority of the voters of Ms state, as Lieutenant-Governor of Kentucky. In this new and highly honorable position, a door of great usefulness is wide open before Colonel Jacob. That aU Ms acts, in his present offlce, will be charac terized by the same honesty, patriotism, and courage that they were while he was in the tented field, and that he will take wise, comprehensive, and statesman like views of the great issues that may arise, before the great conflict in which our country is now engaged may be ended, remains to be seen. In conclusion of all that we have to say on this sub ject, and as a means of aff'ording the readers of this book some just ideas of Ms character as a statesman, and his views of the great and exciting questions now before the American people, we subjoin the following addresses, the first of which was delivered on the occa sion of the inauguration of Governor Bramlette, the other on the occasion when he took his seat as pre siding officer of the Kentucky Senate. After Governor Bramlette had taken the oath of office. Governor Robinson presented the Lieutenant Governor elect, who spoke substantially as follows : 27 316 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. " Fellow-citizens : This is neither the appropriate tune nor place for me to address you ; and my re marks, therefore, shall be of the briefest. I can not, however, help congratulating you on the different auspices under which we are now assembled from those of one year ago. Then the gallant Nelson, with his brave band of volunteers, gathered from the farms and workshops and quiet homes of this and neighbor ing states, had been defeated by an overwhelming foe, and compelled to retire. I had the Mgh pleasure, sub sequently, to give my humble aid in driving that same foe from these very streets, amid the waving of flags and joyful countenances of the liberated Capital. One short year only has passed, and to-day we are assem bled, under a cloudless sky and auspices, to celebrate a glorious but bloodless ^dctory of the true loyal sons of Kentucky — a victory none the less glorious and in spiring because won by the baUot-box instead of the bayonet. I have only to add that the place I am now to take was not of my seeking. I was absent from the state in my place of duty — the gallant army on the banks of the Cumberland, and amid the conflicts and labors in which that army has been engaged. MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 317 This fact renders the compliment paid me by the peo ple of my state all the more grateful as it was un sought, unexpected. In the conclusion of these cere monies, let us all renew our vows, and swear the old oath of the ever loyal Kentuckians, that the Federal Umon must and shaU be preserved, though it costs our last doUar." Governor Jacob then took the oath of office. Gov ernor Bramlette was escorted to the Executive office, and placed in possession of the state seal and archives, and the assemblage dispersed amid salutes to the new Governor from the artillery on Arsenal Hill. Upon taking his seat as presiding officer of the Kentucky Senate, Lieutenant-Governor Jacob delivered the foUowing address : " Senators : Elected by the people of Kentucky to the second position in the state, in accordance with usage, I now propose briefiy to address you on the state of the country. Kentucky has had an important part to play in the great civU tragedy which has been enacted upon the national theater for the last three 318 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. years. Totally unprepared, at the commencement, for the great struggle which had been precipitated upon the nation, without a cause, by a band of bold, unprin cipled, selfish, and disappointed leaders, she had to be wary in her movements. First, her patriotic heart 'wished no combat with either the men of the North or the South. She looked upon them equally as breth ren, and convinced, if the struggle was once inau gurated, of the terrible scenes that would be enacted, of the ocean of brothers' blood that would be shed, of the great cost, of the uncertain issue, and, standing naturally the great battle-ground of contending fac tions, if the nation v/^as once disrupted, she preferred first to exhaust compromise. All of our sacred priv ileges, the birth of our nation, the Constitution handed down to us by our fathers — all had been the work of concUiation. Why should we not avert a fratricidal and uncertain war by the same legitimate means? We assumed mediation. Calm amidst the terrible storm of passion and fanaticism, Kentucky pleaded earnestly to try and stay the unnatural and unholy combat. She has been severely judged for that posi tion ; yet she has the proud consciousness of knowinc MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 319 that if all had striven with the same pure and holy aifection to avert the angry storm, and prevent the division of brethren, the band of audacious conspira tors who were trying to inaugurate the struggle would have been baffled. TMs day there would have been peace, and our nation rushing on to unexampled pros perity with the strides of a young giant. Alas ! alas ! her holy pleadings were scoffed at, the civil war vras inaugurated ; a nation's sins were to be washed out by Mood pourmg from the veins of her best and noblest. i Mediation and neutrahty, assumed from the love of country, became her shield and buckler. " We also had desperate conspirators among us, who were ceaseless in their eff"orts to precipitate Kentucky into the arms of the rebellion — reckless of the de struction of the government of our fathers, recreant to the traditions of the Sage of Ashland, recusant to the pledge inscribed upon the pure marble taken from the bosom of her eternal hills, and placed in that monu mental pile on the banks of the Potomac, erected in honor of the ' Father of his Country,' that ' Kentucky, the first-born of the Union, would be the last to leave it.' Shameless iu their efforts to aid the bold and un- 320 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. scrupulous Catilines of the South, and bring the terri ble struggle, with aU its desolaticn and conflicts, upon her fair borders, and sweep her as with a besom of de struction, they were stopped and baffled in their mad career by that shield. Under its «.gis she armed and prepared for the terrible storm which she saw, sooner or later, would be precipitated upon her devoted head. Without that position she would have been given over, bound hand and foot, to the evil demon of the re bellion. With that position, when the trial did come, she was ready for the conflict, and her sons rushed to the battle-field to defend the flag of WasMngton, the unity of the country, and the preservation of the Con stitution. " Whose laurels are brighter upon the blood-stained fields of MiU Springs, Donelson, Shiloh, Stone River, and Chickamauga ? Yet whose trials have been greater? Her fair borders have been desolated, the firesides of her people desecrated ; father fighting against son, brother against brother, uncle against nephew ; and, amidst the scorn and jeers of both ex tremes, she stUl, with unparalleled devotion, has re mained true and steadfast. With cleai' head, warm MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 321 heart, and steady nerve, she looks forward with hope to the time when the rebel armies will be broken down and crushed, knowing there can be no peace until then, and when the olive-branch can be substituted for the sword, and we can be a reconciled and united people onco more. Knowing no North, no South, no East, no West, she is contendmg for the equal privileges of all. With trenchant blade she fights the armed man of the South ; with pleading tongue she implores the loyal man of the North to stay and rebuke, at the baUot- box, the equally fatal policy of the fanatic, who is equally an enemy to the government of our fathers. " She was too wise not to know that a blow struck at the National Government must necessarily be a blow, however purely the government might carry on the war, which ultimately must injure the institution of slavery, more or less. She so warned the conspira tors, and declared that secessionism was practical abo litionism. Though interested to a large extent in that species of property, all legitimate action against the rebeUion, though it might result incidentally to the de struction of slavery, she willingly acquiesced in. Yet we must not forget that all illegitimate action com- 322 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. plained of since the commencement of the rebellion could not have been taken if the fiood-gates had not been opened by the total overthrow of the Constitution itself, and of the attempt violently to disrupt the gov ernment of our fathers, made by that most infamous of traitors, Jeff. Davis, and his co-rebellionists. Sworn to support the Constitution, he was secretly, while an officer in the War Department, and afterward whUe a Senator of the United States, using every en ergy, in violation of his oath, to inaugurate civil war and destroy the Constitution. Educated at the ex pense of the United States, he attempts to use that education for its destruction. Second only in infamy to Judas Iscariot, he, by building Ms batteries around, and opemng fire upon, the devoted walls of Fort Sum ter, and upon the glorious banner of Washington, in augurates civil war, and brings destruction upon the South; and upon his head is justly due the ocean of blood, and aU the wails, horrors, and miseries of a de ceived people. Recreant to the great rights of the past, steeped in infamy, he cowardly inaugurates a civil war upon the pretense that slave property might be in danger, and forsakes the umty of the country MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 323 and the Constitution bequeathed to us by our Revolu tionary sires, as a sacred inheritance, and, when pressed to the waU by a brave, heroic, and outraged people, he sM-ieks for protection to that Constitution he has violated, and to that God whom he has outraged by his blasphemous perjuries. Without his cowardly defection and the recreancy of the Southern people to our most sacred rights, it would have been utterly out of the power of Northern fanatics to have committed unconstitutional acts. Therefore, Kentucky recog nizes the rebeUion as the Iliad of aU our woes. While resisting these unjust, wrong, impolitic, and destructive powers by the free use of speech, and an appeal to have them remedied by the conservative masses of the North at the ballot-box, she has undying hostihty to the rebellion, and is for the last man and last dollar to crush it. She well knows that if the rebellion suc ceeds, not only will it be the destruction of slavery, but the destruction of our nationality, of all our dear est rights, and the destruction of liberty itself, and the inauguration of eternal war, and the permanent inter ference of the despotic powers of Europe with our ceaseless quarrels. No ; if Kentucky is forced by ter- 324 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. rible outrages to revolutionize, she is not going, in order to secure one right or many rights, to forsake others equally as dear. If she is forced into revolu tion, she will unfurl the banner of Washington, and, appeaUng to the God of Battles and the American people, fight for every square inch of our common and glorious country, with all the sacred privUeges that have been bequeathed to us by a noble ancestry. " The. true power of the conspirators was in de ceiving the Southern people as to the intention and wishes of the Northern people in regard to their rights in slave property. The true policy of the government was, while striking with all the power of the Ameri can people at those in arms, to appeal to the patriot ism of the masses, and disclaim all intentions to inter fere with any of their constitutional rights, but with the determination to maintain the integrity of the Union at all hazards. This was the policy of the iron-hearted but patriotic Jackson. It is the poUcy of loyal Ken tucky. " Still, because we may differ with the Administra tion in some of its measures, we must not permit the rebellion to be a success. AVe must not permit our MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 325 glorious heritage to be impaired. The only way to crush the rebellion is by force of arms. We can have no peace until that is done. The Southern people themselves can not treat for peace untU the despotic power of the rebel leaders and rebel army is broken. UntU that is done, they are subjected to the despotism of those leaders and armies. The rebellion is a cure for no evil. It protects no rights. It destroys all, including our nationality, if successful. Then, the true policy of Kentucky is to give the last man and the last dollar, if necessary, to crush the rebellion — ¦ at the same time appealing to the people of the loyal states to bring back the pohcy of the war to what we conceive a constitutional basis. "Kentucky, in the first place, favored mediation, in order to prevent war and bloodshed. Forced by the invasion of the Southern armies, unwillingly, to take up arms, and determined that nothing but a restora tion of the supremacy of the laws should satisfy her, yet equally abhorrent to her is the abolition theory, that aU state lines are abrogated, and states them selves reduced to territorial dependence. Therefore, she is in favor of the whole power of the government 326 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. to be energeticaUy used to crush those in arms; yet she is in favor, not of an armistice, because that would give a breatMng spell to those engaged in hostUe com bination for renewed preparation and renewed exertion at its discontmuance, but for an amnesty to all those Avho lay down their arms and return to their consti tutional obedience, except the leaders of the rebellion, who should be punished at all hazards. The proper time to have inaugurated such a system would have been in July, that glorious month of victories. Such an attempt might prove futile : it might result m the greatest good. It can not possibly prove an evil. It would at least be gratifying to the milhons of the con servative men of the loyal states. If the amnesty was rejected, it would nerve the arms of the loyal men to renewed exertion, until coercion would do the work of persuasion, and bring back those erring brethren, whether wiUing or not; because every true American will echo the sentiment, and resolve that the Federal Union must and shall be preserved, though it cost the blood of this generation. Can it be the American people have lost aU virtue, and can not come together on terms of common equality, and restore their nation, MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS, 327 with all of its constitutional obUgations, and more than its pristine grandeur, as the home of freedom and the refug3 of the oppressed mUlions of the Old World ? Have not the sad lessons of the past proved that in unity is strength, and in division weakness? Would France, with all the audacity of her Emperor, have dared to strike down the liberties of the Mexican people and inaugurate a monarchy upon the ruins of its republican government, if it had not been for the division of the great Republic ? TMs unfortunate civil war has proved the immense resources of the Amer ican people. United, we could withstand the world in arms. Disumted, we are the prey of crafty and desigmng nations. Then, all efforts to restore peace, with the Constitution as it is and the Union as it was, can not but be sacred. If conciliation will not do it, war must. As loyal Americans, worthy of ourselves and our ancestry and the glorious heritage bequeathed to us, let us interweave the olive-branch and all the mighty powers of the government, the bow of prom ise with the terrible thunderbolt. Let us implore our erring brethren to come back to the ties of American brotherhood and the Union — the ark of American lib- 328 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. erty, the last and only refuge of freedom ; and, if that cry is not hearkened to, let us gather up all the re sources of a mighty people and crush the last embers of the rebellion, and teach traitors that the American Union must and shall be preserved. " No one with the first instincts of a statesman would ever attempt to tear Kentucky from her safe moorings in the midst of a sisterhood of states, to place her as a frontier, subject, in aU future time, to the ravages and horrors of desolating wars. In the center of a glorious constellation, all the combined forces of the world could scarcely have touched or reached her. As the fragment of a dissevered nation, she, naturally the dark and bloody land, the pathway of contending armies, would be devastated and ruined. So that this question of Union, however great and paramount to other states, is a question of life and death to her. The pretext for this war was danger to slave property. Not that it was in immediate dan ger, but it might be so — giving a strange spectacle to the world of a mighty people attempting suicide, not for present evils, but for what might be in the womb of time ! Kentucky, governed by loyalty, pleaded in MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 329 Tain for peace, and .counseled resistance only when wrongs were attempted; and then, in fighting for one right, not to give up the flag of WasMngton and the Union of our fathers, but fight for all rights. Mad men would not listen to her sage advice. They rushed to war with parricidal hands, attempting to tear down the work of our fathers. What has been the conse quence ? The institution they rushed to an unholy war to protect from future consequences is on the verge of destruction. The only slave property that is at all safe is the property belonging to the loyal state of Kentucky. If she had not been loyal, her slave property, with all other kinds, would have been a thing of the. past. Now, because, by the mad at tempt of the South, the institution of slavery has been placed in danger, and which we prechcted would be the consequence of the insane attempt to break up our nationahty, the partisans of the infamous attempt to break up the government of our fathers roll up their eyes in holy horror, and ask us to place ourselves in exactly the same position. We have been loyal and true ; therefore our property is, comparatively speak ing, safe. They have been disloyal, and their prop- 330 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. erty is on the verge of ruin ; therefore, we must turn mad, be disloyal, and lose ours ! "But it is said the President wiU conscript the negro slaves, and thereby destroy the institution of slavery in Kentucky. He has not done so yet, and sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. But, for argument's sake, suppose he does : who gave him the power but you zealots of the South, who, in your frenzy, attempted to destroy the temple of liberty and all the dear rights of the past ? If he does, will dis loyalty to the Union save the institution ? Not at all. It would only hurl it to destruction with all other interests of the state. Loyalty to the Union, as in the past, is the only safety to ourselves, our property, and all the dear and sacred rights that we possess. If we resist, it must be in the Union and under the fiag of Washington, with' the millions of strong hearts and strong arms that we possess in the loyal North. Throw away these resources, as the South madly did, we would be crushed as she will be, and as she would deserve to be, for being recreant to the great rights bequeathed to us by our fathers. No, no ! Come what may, come what wUl, let Kentucky be true. It MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 331 is not only the path of honor, but the path of safety; any other is the path of destruction. She is not fight ing for the preservation of slavery, nor is she fighting for its destruction. Incidentally, if it goes down in maintaining the Umon, well and good ; incidentally, if it is saved m preserving the Union, well and good. What is slavery ? What is any species of property to her in comparison with the blood of her heroic chUdren? Yet she has freely offered up their lives without a murmur. She wUl do so stiU. All she asks, let these enormous sacrifices be, not in defiance of the Constitution, but incidentally for a prosecution of a war for the maintenance of the Union and the Con stitution; and when these blessings are secured, the war should and ought to cease. In Mr. Seward's language : ' We are under obligations to save not only the unity or the integrity of the country, but also its inestimable and precious Constitution.' " Senators ! in regard to the pleasant, distinguished, but untried duty which devolves upon me of presiding over your august body, I expect my task to be liglit from your weU-known courtesy. I expect to be im partial. What errors I commit will be of the head, 28 332 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. I trust, and not of the heart ; and these, I feel, will be kindly criticised. In conclusion, may the God of our fathers, who carried the destiny of this nation safely through the terrible confiicts of the Revolution which separated us from the mother country, still pre side over and protect us in this still more fiery trial, and let us issue from its gigantic contest very soon as one people — one in interest, one in heart, purified by the fiery contest, to be restored under one flag and one Constitution — and that the flag and Constitution of WasMngton; and may they be handed down un impaired to the latest generation ! " MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 333 CHAPTER XI. ma;ob a. w. ette, the captor of mokqan — his report to colonel lewis Ricn- MONl) — PARTICULARS OF THE CAPTURE — INTERVIE-SV BETWEEN MORGAN AND HUE — INTERVIEW BETWEEN MORGAN, SHACKELFORD, AND WOLFORD — A GOOD PROVIDENCE — MAJOR RUE's NATIVITY — HIS EDUCATION AND MILITARY CHARAC TER — RUE IN MEXICO — RUB A CHRISTIAN. BUT for the most untiring and almost superhuman efforts of those brave men. Generals Judah, Hobson, and Shackelford, and the heroic forces they led, Morgan would not have been captured, and his command destroyed. There was not an officer or private, so far as is known, who did not do his duty manfuUy and act well his part, in the pur suit of the "great raider;" yet, it is but just to say that special credit should be given to Major George W. Rue, of the Ninth Kentucky Cavalry, who was the actual captor of Morgan. The account of this interesting event we prefer giving to the reader in Major Rue's own language. In Ms report to Colonel Lewis Richmond, A. A. G. 334 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. of General Burnside, and dated at Cincinnati, OMo, July 29, 1863, he says : " Colonel : I have the honor to make the follow ing report : " On the evening of the 23d instant, by your order, I left the barracks at Covington, Kentucky, at seven o'clock P. M., with a command of three hundred and seventy-five cavalry, being detachments from diff'erent regiments, as follows : One hundred and twenty from the Eleventh Kentucky Cavalry, under Major Gra ham; seventy -five from the Ninth Kentucky Cavalry; fifty from the Eighth Michigan Cavalry ; also, small detachments from the First and Twelfth Kentucky Cavalry, and a number of men from various regi ments; also, three pieces of artillery from the Fif teenth Indiana Battery, under command of Lieuten ant Tarr. " The command left the Little Miami Railroad depot at Cincmnati, at ten o'clock P. M., for Bellair, via Columbus. The train, losing no time, arrived at that point at one o'clock P. M., on Friday, the 24th instant. I disembarked the- men and horses, and encamped at MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 335 Bellair for the remainder of the night. On the fol lowing day we patrolled both up and down the banks of the Ohio River for a considerable distance. "At one o'clock P. M. of that day I was notified by Major-General Brooks to place my forces upon the cars, and proceed, with the greatest possible haste, to Steubenville. However, I did not stop at that point, but passed on to Shanghae, where I again disembarked my command, at seven o'clock P. M., Saturday. From thence I proceeded, along the public road, westwardly, five miles, to the town of Knoxville, at which place I arrived at twelve o'clock in the night. Here I learned that Morgan had already passed through Richmond, west of KnoxvUle, at four o'clock P. M. of that day, the 25th instant, and was moving in a north-east direction. "I left Knoxville at four o'clock A. M. on Sun day morning, going northwardly, and joined General Shackelford at eight o'clock A. M., at Hammonds- viUe. From thence we proceeded to SalinesviUe, my command taking the advance. At the latter piace we learned that Morgan had been seen last at Moore- ville, going eastwardly, on the Beaver Creek road, 336 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. toward Smith's Ford, on the Ohio River. I was sent, Hth the advance, .by General Shackelford, to inter cept Morgan, if that was possible, at some point on the above-named road. I started forward, at the rate of seven miles per hour, with my command, wMch was then reduced to three hundred men, by detach ments going off to their respective regiments. " On coming within half a mile of the junction of the Beaver Creek road, I was surprised to learn that Mor gan was passing the intersection of the roads, on a gallop. I then considered the chance of getting up with him rather desperate. I learned, however, from citizens, that a private road led off to the right of the road on which we were moving, and intersected the Beaver Creek road at a distance of something over a mUe, while Morgan would have to pass two mUes on the main road to reach the same point. As Morgan had half a mile the start of us, we had about equal chances to reach the desired spot at the same time. By throwing down some fences the road was prac ticable for our purpose, although very rough. I or dered my command to move forward on double-quick, and the order was carried out vigorously, and we MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 837 moved at the greatest possible speed. I took the advance, accompanied by Captain Pond and Adjutant Pierce, with about twenty privates from Company A, Eleventh Kentucky Cavalry. We dashed forward, over the rough, hilly road, and reached the Beaver Creek road about one hundred and fifty yards in ad vance of the rebels. I formed my men in a line across the road. Major Graham rapidly closed up the column, threw down the intervening fences, and a Une of battle was soon formed and ready for ac tion on the enemy's front and flank. I had previ ously ordered Lieutenant Burton, of the Eleventh Kentucky Cavah-y, with thirty men, to annoy the rear of the enemy, by following him on the maiu road, and for the further purpose of preventing him from retreating that way. The enemy was thus com pletely surrounded. Morgan promptly dispatched a flag of truce, which met me in the advance, with the demand that I should surrender my force to him. I told the bearer of the flag to return at once to his commander, and notify him that I demanded the in stant and unconditional surrender of Ms entire force, or else I would forthwith open fire upon them. The 338 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. rebel bearing the flag of truce left with this demand, and in a few minutes Major Steel, of the Confederate cavalry, was brought to me by Captain Neil, of the Ninth Kentucky Cavalry, who informed me that Mor gan had already surrendered to my command. " I then rode forward to Morgan, and notified him that matters must remain as they were until General Shackelford arrived. It was soon after this that some one present said that the surrender of Morgan had been made to a Captain Burbick, and that Morgan claimed to have been paroled, by a special under standing with that officer. Morgan simply stated the fact that he had surrendered, but did not say any thing about terms or to whom he considered the sur render made. Major Steel having made the surrender. I was then informed that Captain Burbick — or Beck- ith — was a mUitia officer and a prisoner in the hands of Morgan at the time the pretended surrender and parole were said to have been made. I was informed that the surrender and parole took place at the iden tical time when Morgan found himself intercepted by my command, and while he was hurrying Captain Burbick, unarmed, along the road as a prisoner of MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 339 war. I therefore treated this claim as absurd, and held the prisoners untU General Shackelford came up, which was about an hour after the capture of Morgan, when I placed all at his disposal. *' The number of rebels captured was three hun dred and eighty-four men, rank and file, and about four hundred horses. The arms and horses I turned over to Major-General Brooks, of Wellsville. "I take great pleasure in reporting that my entire command acted with the greatest promptness and alacrity. Major Graham, Lieutenant Boynton, and the other gallant officers and men who composed my command, for the time being, are worthy of all the praise that can be bestowed upon them. I would es pecially return my thanks to Captain Pond, Adju tant Pierce, and the twenty private soldiers of the advance-guard, who, by their boldness, merited the position to which they were assigned. Lieutenant Tarr, also, deserves praise for the energetic eff"orts he made to forward his artiUery during the various changes of the command, untU he was placed in the rear at Adamsville. " Geo. W. Rub, " Major Ninth Kentucky Cavalry." 29 340 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. When Morgan was captured, he was in Columbiana County, on the line between Wayne and Madison Townships, and on the road between the farms of John Crawford and David Burbick, and about nine miles from the Pennsylvania line. Major Rue states that his interview with Morgan, after his capture, was pleasant. Among other things, Morgan said to Rue : " You have beat me, and I give up the chase." Rue introduced General Shackelford and Colonel Wolford to Morgan, when they came up. The inter view was quite amusing to the spectators. Wolford's countenance indicated great joy on beholding Mor gan as a prisoner. "I am glad to see you on this occasion," said he to Morgan. " You and the Colonel have met before ?" said Gen eral Shackelford. « A laugh followed this last remark. Wolford was once Morgan's prisoner. "Not as friends," said Morgan; at the same time he was shaking hands with Shackelford and Wolford. It wiU be seen, from what has just been said, that MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 341 it was a good Providence that put Major Rue in the front. He had fresh men and horses, true courage, and great anxiety to capture Morgan. Besides, he had confronted him in almost every raid he had made in Kentucky, and was perfectly famiUar with all Ms foxy devices. He was the man for the occasion. His mihtary career has been short, but was of such a character that it will not soon be forgotten. Major Rue was born at Harrodsburg, Kentucky, June 8, 1828. His education was limited tb the or dinary branches of English, taught in the common schools of Ms native state. He always had a strong desire for a mihtary life, and a love for that profes sion. He became a good tactician with but little efi'ort on Ms part. When he was eighteen years of age he volunteered as a private, and went with our army into Mexico, where he first made the acquaintance of Morgan, and probably knows as much of his character as any man in the service of the government. Rue returned from Mexico with very poor health, and spent most of his time farming, until he felt that our country and her great and free institutions were 342 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. in peril, when he raised a battalion, and joined the Ninth Kentucky Regiment of Cavalry. Since that time he has made for himself a record of which he need not be ashamed, and of which his country is proud. Major Rue is a Christian man, and a member of the Presbyterian Church. Such men enter the serv ice of their country from deep convictions of duty, and, like Oliver Cromwell, they fear not the face of any foe, because their trust is in the God of battles. MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 843 CHAPTER XII. morgan's LATE RAID INTO KENTTTCKT, IN JUNE, 18G4 — ENTERS THE STATE Af POUND GAP — CAPTUnE OF MOUNT STERLING UPRISING OF GUERRILLAS AND KNIGHTS or THE GOLDEN CIRCLE — THEIR DEPREDATIONS AT VARIOUS PLACES — GOVERNOR BRAflTLETTE AND THE SIEGE OF FRANKFORT — GENERAL BURBRIDGE DEFEATS MORGAN AT MOUNT STERLING MOKQAN AT LEXINGTON — MARCHES TOWARD FRANKFORT, BUT SUDDENLY CHANGES HIS COURSE — AT CYNTHIANA DEFEATS AND CAPTURES THE UNION FORCES — IS DEFEATED BY BURBRIDGE THE DAY FOLLOWING ^DISPATCHES OP GENERAL BURBRIDGE TO TEE PRESI DENT AND SECRETARY OF WAR — DISTINGUISHED REGIMENTS — DETAILED STATE MENTS — INCIDENTS. DURING the first week of June, 1864, General Morgan entered Kentucky, by way of Pound Gap, at the head of a body of guerrillas, numbering between twenty-five hundred and three thousand men, and marched rapidly toward Central Kentucky. This is the first raid that the famous guerrilla cMef tain has made into the state smce the one of which an account has just been given, and it has proved little less disastrous to Mm than that of the preceding year. There can be no doubt but that it was generaUy weU understood that Morgan was to make a raid, at 344 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. the time that he did, by rebel sympathizers and tho Knights of the Golden Circle throughout Central Ken tucky; and it can not be denied that the plan was weU laid, and more "foxy" than any previous one, and was. well calculated to deceive our mihtary au thorities in the state. On the 8th of June, Morgan captured the town of Mount Sterling. At the same time, and in various localities, guerrillas and squads of armed citizens ap peared, and commenced the work of aiding the raid ers, by cutting our communications, and m various other ways. The steamboat Wren was fired into at Lockport, on the Kentucky River. No serious damage was done; but the boat was compelled to return to Madison. At the same time a body of forty guerrUlas, under com mand of a man named Jenkins, formerly of Henry County, cut the telegraph-wires at PleasurevUle Sta tion, on the LomsvUle and Lexington Railroad. On the evemng of the same day, Thursday, the 9th in stant, the same band fired mto the ordnance train, and made a fierce attack on it as soon as it came in sight. The train-guard rephed to the fire, and a hvely MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 345 fight foUowed. The engine was quickly reversed, and the train moved rapidly back. The rebels followed the backing tram over half a mUe, firing into it, and receiving a response from the guard. Many obstruc tions were found placed upon the track between Christianburg and PleasureviUe, the design being to capture the train. The citizens say that they were forced by the rebels to put obstructions on the road. The train arrived safely at Bagdad, and at tempted to proceed from Bagdad to Frankfort, but an open culvert was found destroyed a short dis tance from North Benson, which prevented it from proceeding further. The first bridge below North Benson was destroyed, and here our troops had a severe skirmish with the rebels, and repulsed them. Mr. J. Press. Sparks, a Union member of the Ken tucky Legislature, from Henry County, .was killed by Jenkins after the escape of the train. Frankfort, the Capital of' the state, was attacked, and a siege commenced by a smaU part of Morgan's command, probably aided by home traitors. Governor Bramlette pressed into service many of the citizens of Frankfort, who, together with the few troops in the 346 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. forts, repulsed the enemy. They held Frankfort se curely, and in due time were relieved by the arrival of the Forty-third Regiment of Indiana Volunteers. Great credit is due Governor Morton and General Carrington, of Indiana, for the prompt assistance sent tc Frankfort, and especially should great praise be given to the Forty-third Indiana Regiment. Governor Bramlette thus handsomely acknowledged Ms indebtedness to that gallant body of men and the Governor of Indiana : " Commonwealth of Kbntuokt, " Executive Depaktmbnt, " Frankfort, June 22, 1864. " Governor 0. P. Morton, Indianapolis, Indiana : " Dear Sir — I return you my most grateful thanks for your . prompt assistance during Morgan's recent raid. The timely arrival of the Forty-tMrd Regmient Indiana Volunteers gave us entire relief against all apprehension of danger. Although the citizens had repulsed the rebels, yet the large numbers still infest ing this section, at the time of their arrival, kept us upon constant vigil, and serious apprehension of an other assault. The patriotism and kindly feehng wMch MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 347 prompted the gallant veterans of the Forty-third to rush to our rehef without delaying, after their long and arduous labors, to even greet their families, de serves the highest commendation from their country men, and will ever command from us of Kentucky the profoundest gratitude of our hearts. " The appearance of Vallandigham in Ohio, simul taneously with JMorgan's raid in Kentucky, fully con firms the matters made known to me, through General Lindsey, by you. The defeat of Morgan has frus trated their movements for the present ; but vigilance in the future must still guard us against those mach inations of evil-doers. "Yours, truly, Thos. E. Bramlbttb." The main body of Morgan's men was at Mount Sterling. In the mean time squads were sent from his head-quarters in every direction, who scoured the country, gathered up horses, and whatever could be used to advantage by them. The first intimation the people of Cynthiana had of a rebel force near them was on the morning of the 8th instant. That mornmg messengers came in from sev- 848 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. eral points, saying that there were three hundred rebels at OwensviUe, six hundred at Mount SterUng, and thirty at Talbot's Station, three miles north of Paris. At ten o'clock the train arrived from Coving ton, and the conductor was warned not to proceed any further. He immediately detached the locomotive, and started up the road on a reconnoissance, preceded by a hand-car. They proceeded to within a short dis tance of Townsend's Bridge, seven miles south of Cyn thiana, when they saw the smoke and fiames ascendmg from the burning of that structure, which, with the trestle-work, is about three hundred feet long. A man was sent out to make discoveries, and soon met several Union soldiers, who had been guarding the bridge. They stated that they had been taken pris oners by a body of about two hundred rebel troops, who, after paroling them, set fire to the bridge, and then started in the direction of Cynthiana. The hand-car and locomotive immediately returned to Cynthiana, and, after taking on board a number of citizens, and the funds of the bank, returned toward Covington at twelve o'clock. At half-past two o'clock the raiders charged upon MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 349 the town of Cynthiana. First, five rebel cavalrymen dashed through the streets, at a furious rate, yelling and firing their pistols. In twenty minutes after ward, fifty more followed in the same manner ; and, shortly, twenty or thirty more made their appear ance. They that passed through soon returned, and remained there about three hours, and then left in the direction of Paris — not, however, untU they had freely helped themselves to whatever clotMng and shoes they needed, from the stores of a Mr. Delhng and a Mr. Magee, and had ab stracted, from letters in the post-office, twenty or tMrty dollars. Fifteen of tMs band were detailed to burn Kellar's Bridge, a mUe and a half north of Cynthiana, where a guard of ten, of the Forty-seventh Kentucky Regi ment,, surrendered, and were paroled. It has been thought that they could have held their stockades against a much larger force than that to wMch they surrendered. It is said that many among the citizens of CyntMana rejoiced, and openly, shouted, when this rebel band en tered their town. 350 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. Thus squads of Morgan's men, Knights of the Golden Chcle, and rebel citizens, appeared simul taneously at various points, and did great mischief, in destroying railroads, bridges, and in plundering Union and loyal citizens. However well all these operations were calculated to deceive our mihtary authorities, they failed utterly to deceive General Burbridge, who seemed fully to com prehend the situation. It has been said that Morgan captured Mount Ster ling on Wednesday, the 8th instant. His main forces were concentrated at that point. There, on the 9th, the day following the occupation. General Burbridge fell upon Morgan's band, and, after a fierce fight, com pletely repulsed the enemy. After the defeat at IMount Sterling, Morgan marched to Lexington, Kentucky, and entered that city about two o'clock on the morning of the 10th instant. Hero he burned the Kentucky Central Railroad depot, and freely appropriated, from the stores of Union men; whatever he or his men needed. It is said, also, that a demand was made for specie on one of the banks of that city, and that the casMer was compelled to MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 351 honor his check, to the amount of seven thousand dollars. When Morgan entered Lexington, the Union forces retired into Fort Clay, which was garrisoned, in part, by the First OMo Heavy ArtUlery. Soldiers from the fort sMrmished, during the night, with Morgan's men, and, as soon as day dawned, the artillery commenced shelhng them ; but General Burbridge was close on the heels of Morgan, and he, therefore, left Lexington about ten o'clock of the same day, and proceeded toward Georgetown and Frankfort. Near the former place it is supposed that he divided his forces, and sent a small part of them toward Frankfort, evidently with the intention of deceiving General Burbridge, and leading him to Frankfort, whUe he, with his main column, moved north, for the purpose of capturing Cynthiana and our forces at that point, and then, after gathering Ms plunder, make his escape out of the state over the same track by which he came into it. Morgan marched directly to Cynthiana, and there defeated and captured our forces, under command of General Hobson, on Saturday, the 11th mstant. He 352 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. also captured General Hobson, who had so frequently defeated his plans in other raids, and who was a leader of the expedition that captured Morgan, the previous year, in his great raid through Indiana and OMo. On tMs occasion a large part of CyntMana was burned by the rebels. On the following day (Sunday, the 12th of June), General Burbridge fell upon Morgan's forces, at Cyn thiana, while they were at breakfast, and, after kilhng, woundmg, and hterally driving into the river many, who were drowned, completely defeated, routed, and sent Morgan, and his broken, shattered, and com pletely defeated troopers, out of the state, m far greater haste than he entered it. The following account of this aff'air was dispatched to Secretary Stanton, by General Burbridge : " I attacked Morgan at Cynthiana, at daylight yesterday morning, and, after an hour's hard tighting, completely routed him, killing three hundred, wounding nearly as many, and capturing nearly four hundred, besides recapturing nearly one hundred o.f Hobson's command, and over one thousand horses. Our loss iu killed and wounded is about one hundred and fifty. Morgan's scattered forces are flying in all directions, have thrown away their arms, are out of ammunition, and are wholly demoralized." MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 353 The following replies to the above dispatch will show in what estimation General Burbridge and his brave soldiers are held by the President, the War De partment, and, m fact, by the loyal people of the country, and how their operations against Morgan are regaj-ded : " Washington, June 14, 1864. " To Oenerdl Burbridge : "Have just received your dispatch of action at Cynthiana. Please accept my congratulations and thanks for yourself and command. (Signed) " A. Lincoln." " Washington, June 14, 1864. ' To General Burbridge : " Please accept for yourself and the ofiicers and soldiers of your gallant command, the thanks of this Department, for the brave and successful operations of the last six days in Ken tucky — achievements of valor, energy, and success that will be regarded with admiration by all loyal people of the United Statea. (Signed) "E. M. Stanton." We have spoken of the great credit due to tha Forty-third Indiana Regiment. Equal credit should be given, also, to the First and Second Kentucky and the Ninth and Tenth Ohio Regiments, wMch were en- 354 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. gaged in the operations against Morgan, during this last raid. AU honor to the brave officers and men of these regiments ! After givmg the foregoing brief and general history of the raid, we refer the reader to the foUowing com munications, for many very interesting detaUs and statements : " Lexington, Kentucky, July 12, 1864. " As I have not seen any communication in your paper from any of the soldiers of the Twelfth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, in regard to the late Morgan raid into Kentucky, I therefore send you a few sketches of the principal parts we have taken in the raid, for pub Ucation. " On the 23d day of May we left Mount Sterling, in company with the Fortieth and Forty-fifth Ken tucky Mounted Infantry Regiments, and Third Ken tucky Battery. The object or purport of the march was that we were going to Abingdon, Virginia, to de stroy raUroads, salt-works, and so on. Whether this was really the object, or whether we were going to Pound Gap, to endeavor to prevent Morgan and Ms MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 365 gang of horse-thieves and robbers from coming into the state, the deponent saith not. " We marched all day over a miserably rocky road, and at night camped at Mud Lick Springs, a cele brated watering-place, where we were joined by two other Kentucky regiments, which made us quite a formidable army. " After five days' marcMng over rough, rocky roads, and through rain and mud, we reached a camp on Sandy River, about eight miles above Prestonburg, where we were joined by the Eleventh Michigan Cav alry, two mountain howitzers, and some two or three other Kentucky mounted infantry regiments. In this camp we found that forage and rations had not been provided sufficient for the journey we were about to make ; therefore our regiment, with the Thirty- seventh, Thirty-nmth, and Fortieth Kentucky, and Eleventh Michigan Regiments, were ordered to Louisa (about forty-five miles distant) for more rations and forage. " On Sunday, June 5, we took up our hne of march for the Gap, which we expected to make in two days ; but, to our surprise, on the morning of the second day, after we had aU got on the road and on the march, orders 30 356 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. came to the front to turn about, which we reluctantly did. However, we soon learned the cause, which was that Morgan, with his gang, had come through the Gap three days before, and was making direct for Mount Sterling. After another hard march, with rain, mud, and darkness to contend with, we camped, at twelve o'clock that mght, on the river just below Pres tonburg. " At four o'clock the next mormng we started with the intention of mtercepting some of Morgan's men on the road as they were coming into the state, but we did not reach this road until the forenoon of the next day, when we learned that Morgan had passed the day before with his cavalry, and that his infantry had been passing in the afternoon and night. Our best inform ants supposed that he had fifteen hundred cavalry and eight hundred mfantry. Here and then commenced what We term the race after Morgan and his horse- thieves, robbers, and murderers. " We were by this time becoming fatigued, as well as our horses, for the want of sleep and rest ; but the prospect of a fight appeared to put new life into the boys, and our horses apparently wakened up. Double- MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 357 quick now was the word. We marched all day and night. " When arriving within six miles of Mount Sterling, at three o'clock in the morning, the column halted. The men and horses were lightened of their extra bag gage — such as corn-sacks, haversacks, canteens, blank ets, nose-bags, curry-combs brushes, etc.— prepara tory to going into the fight. Carbines and pistols were all loaded and examined, and, after the arrange ment of the regiments in their places in the brigades by General Burbridge, the order came, ' Forward ! march ! ' Away we went ; the clatter of the horses' feet and the rumbling sound of the artillery appeared to make noise enough to wake up the whole Southern Confederacy. " We charged into their camp, on the south side of the town, the Twelfth OMo Volunteer Cavah-y taking the lead, and firing their carbines and pistols as they passed through. Two battalions halted in front of the enemy's camp, while the artillery was brought forward and run up into the rebel camp, when the horses were shot down, the men driven off, and the guns taken possession of by the rebels. 358 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. " Immediately one of our commanders, at the top of his voice, offered three thousand dollars for the recap ture of the ' gun,' when the boys of the Twelfth Ohio nobly responded by recapturing the gun, in a hand-to- hand fight, before the enemy had time to load it. " At the same time our infantry formed a line on the south side of the rebel camp, and, in connection with the Eleventh Michigan and two battalions of the Twelfth Ohio Cavalry on the east, poured a destructive fire into their ranks, which caused their line to waver and fall back in great disorder, our forces pursuing them into the woods, killing and wounding a great number. "WhUe this battle was taking place on the south side of the town, one battalion of the Twelfth Ohio and two Kentucky regiments had passed through the town and attacked the rebels on the east side, where they were driven from our old camp, across the field, and out of sight. Our horses were so exhausted that we could not pursue them. " Here, when our regiment was driving the rebels over the Mils, instantly a mounted rebel Lieutenant, who had been trying to hide Mmself, commenced re- MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 359 treating for safer grounds, passing along in front of our line. Major Herrick, Captain Gage, and some two or three others, gave him chase. It was an interest ing race. They all soon passed over the brow of the hill, and the Lieutenant was ca;ptured — the Major and Captain both claiming the distingmshed honor of taking the prisoner. " In about two hours afterward the enemy reap peared in front of the first battle-ground, south of the town, in hne of battle, and opened a desperate fire on a few scattered men, who were looking after tho dead, when a courier arrived in town, calling for re inforcements, which were immediately sent out to their assistance, and the action was renewed. " The rebels were defeated here the second time, and driven ofi^ the field, with considerable loss, and pursued about two miles. " They again, after being reinforced by about four hundred of theh men, who had been at Winchester, at tacked the town on the west side with great fury, causing the inhabitants to think their cellars were the only safe places left for them. " Our men, being dismounted, and posted along the 360 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. garden-fences and in the road, the firing was kept up here in bushwhacking style, each man behind a post or shelter of some kind, while the rebels were creeping up in the grass, and along the fences, until they came within pistol-shot range, when they, finding our fire too hot for them, and our men flanking them on both sides, and too cowardly to come up boldly and charge our line, broke and ran, in the wildest confusion, from the field, leaving a number of dead and dying upon the field and along the garden-fences. " We lost about a dozen men in this last fight. " While our men were in the road, the enemy poured a raking fire into our ranks, which caused us to seek shelter, the same as they were doing. 'Here, in the road, is where the brave young Higgenbottom fell, mor tally wounded. He was Commissary Sergeant of our company, and had never been in battle before ; but he knew no fear, and, like a good many others on that memorable day, laid down his life for his country and for the American Union. " The commanding officers and privates of the Twelfth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry have the praise of defending the town, and driving off" the rebel hordes. MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 361 The officers stood side by side with their men, and used the carbine with the same skiU and precision. Morgan's men acknowledge we could fire five times to thou- once; and the prisoners say the Yankees wind up their guns at night, and shoot all day. " They retreated in the direction of Lexington. taking with them about one hundred and fifty of our men as prisoners, whom they had captured the day before, and who fought until they were over powered before surrendermg. It is said that they held the rebels at bay for over an hour, and that it took very near aU of Morgan's force to compel them to surrender, and, when taken, Morgan's men inquired where the balance of the regiment was. The men re plied that they would find out in a day or two. They said they thought, fro^ the way our men were firing, that the whole regiment was there. " Our horses being now tired out, we were obhged to lie still until morning, and rest. " By dayUght next mormng we were up again, and after Morgan, as fast as our horses could take us. We reached Lexington about three o'clock P. M., and found that the rebels had gone toward Georgetown ; 362 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. Lexington, at that time, not being a very comfortahle place for them, as Fort Clay was trying to get some of the rust out of her guns, by firing shot and shell all over the country, and through the streets of the city. " We waited there until midnight, getting fresh horses ; then we started for Paris, which place we reached next mormng. Here we were disappomted in not finding the rebels. " After resting here until after dark, and gathering news of Morgan's whereabouts, we started again, and made for Cynthiana, at which place we arrived a little after daylight, and found the enemy encamped on the east side of the town. " General Burbridge immediately had us formed in line of battle, and sent word along the hne that he would personally conduct the fight, which had a tend ency to inspire the boys with more than common vigor, and make them anxious to ^vade into the rebels. " Our Ime of battle consisted of the Seventeenth Michigan Cavalry, on the extreme right, next the gal lant Ninth Michigan Cavalry ; fronting the town, and MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 363 m the center, was placed our regiment (Twelfth Ohio Volunteer Cavah-y) ; on our left were the Kentucky infantry regiments ; and on our extreme left Avas the fighting Seventh Ohio Cavalry. " Our line, as soon as formed, commenced moving upon the enemy, and each regiment had its own work and field to work in. We tore doAvn all the fences in that neighborhood; and here is Avhere the Twelfth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry made one of the finest ' saber charges ' of the campaign, and drove the rebels in and tMough the town, capturing a great many, and causing them to retreat so fast that the bridge became jammed, and they, in their hurry to escape, jumped into the river, Avhere they found the water too deep, and a considerable number droAvned before reaching the op posite shore. "We captured here, besides prisoners, about one thousand horses, which the enemy, in their haste to get away, had left behmd. " It is said of Morgan, that, when attacked in the morning, he sent out one of his Aids to ascertain who and what forces were fighting him. When the Aid re turned and informed Mm that it was the Twelfth Ohio 31 364 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. Cavalry, he immediately rephed, ' Boys, we had better be getting out of this.' Morgan had seen and heard of the Twelfth at Mount Sterling, and he had a whole some fear of that regiment. " Morgan's gang was here scattered in almost every direction. We followed them about five miles, but could not overtake any large body of them at a time. Our regiment returned to Cynthiana, and rested a couple of hours, and then went to Carlisle ; but, not hearmg of the enemy there, we were sent south on the Ken tucky River, above Irvine — I suppose, with the inten tion of cutting off" the retreat of Morgan's men. Their main body got past us, and a part of our regi ment followed them to witMn twelve miles of Mulberry Gap, when the chase was given up, and we returned here to Lexington to recruit our strength and receive fresh horses. " The boys are now in general good health, and are anxious to meet the rebels again, whenever they wish to mvade Kentucky; and, as long as we have a load in our carbines and pistols to fire, and a strong arm to raise our sabers, we intend to stand our ground and fight, as we did not come into Kentucky to surrender MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 365 or run from rebels, and, whenever they want to try our mettle, let them pitch in. " Yours, respectfully, " Samuel Beuner, " Corporal Co. L, Twelfth Ohio Cavalry." "Boyd's Station, Kentucky, June 12. " Since my last dispatch I have seen the elephant, and a much larger one than I bargained for. To begin with, was the sharp fight on Saturday morn ing, before breakfast, near Cynthiana, in which Com panies A, D, E, F, and G, of the One Hundred and Sixty-eighth Ohio, or most of them, sustained the shock of three thousand men under John Morgan. Not knowmg their numbers, Colonel Garis, assisted by Colonel Berry, Provost Marshal, and his own Lieu tenant-Colonel (Barrere), continued the contest only too bravely. Outnumbered and overpowered, they fell back, firing all the time, to the depot buildings, where Colonel Berry fell almost mortally wounded in the head, and thence to Rankin's unfinished hotel, where, after surrendering and coming out of the house. Colo nel Garis was shot through the right shoulder to the S-66 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. elbow, and others retreated to the Court-house. The consequence was, the rebels poured into the town and charged into these several places, causing the utmost consternation among the inhabitants. Colonel Garis not surrendering soon enough to suit the rebels, they set a stable on fire near to our position, and the terror of the flames added greatly to the alarm. On swept the flames; and across the river, north of the town, another battle began between General Hobson, who had just arrived with the One Hundi-ed and Seventy- first Ohio, and a detachment of the rebels. Our OMo boys, who had never seen an engagement before, held their ground gallantly for fifteen or twenty minutes before yielding to the superior numbers, wMch were constantly increasing. " The loss of life was surprisingly small — not more than fifteen in both engagements, and perhaps fifty wounded, many slightly. " I had nearly completed a list of killed and wounded, when I was taken prisoner as a war corre spondent, and had every tMng taken from me. " Colonel Berry was expected to die every moment, but after a few hours he rallied, but not so as to speaL MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 867 This morning it was thought possible he might live. Colonel Garis's wound is through the right shoulder and arm. Lieutenant-Colonel Barrere was also quite severely wounded. " Compames B, C, H, and K, of the One Hundred and Sixty-eighth, were not in the fight. " The following of the One Hundred and Seventy- first escaped capture, and returned to Robinson's Station, seven mUes tMs side of Cynthiana : W. W. Powell, WiUiam Dana, George Holland, M. G. Butler, W. B. Taylor, Joseph Wilson (slightly wounded in the left arm), George G. Huff", Henry Hall, Byron Clark, Abner Harlep, Captain Henry L. Burnham, and Lieu tenant Matthews. " Quarter-master Stambaugh arrived here to-day to jom his regiment, but, it being captured, he will go no further. " The following of the One Hundred and Seventy- first have just come mto Boyd's, after evading capture and dodging thirty hours in the woods : A. H. Belden, Adam Nye, A. J. Martin, C. S. Curtis, John M. Deal, George Hewey, and J. P. Lamister. " Of the Forty-seventh Kentucky, David Workman, 868 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. A. Wright, John M. Smith, and R. M'CleUan, in a skirmish with scouts, were perhaps captured yester day, as they have not yet come in. It was a pitiable sight to see all the rest of our two young regiments hustled out of their retreats, without arms, and through the streets as prisoners. They were, iu all tAvelve or fifteen hundred, with ten from Mount Ster ling, marched out, your correspondent in the lead, three miles on the Augusta pike. At daylight this morning I took French leave, and have not heard whether the regiments were paroled or not. They hoped to take them back into Vu-ginia, unless General Hobson, who was wounded, and has gone with Cap tain Morgan to Cincinnati, can effect an immediate exchange. " The fire raged, notwithstanding vigorous efforts to stop it by citizens, till noon, when all the business portion of the town, over twenty houses, were con sumed, with much of their contents, the rebels mean while helping themselves abundantly. " The fire commenced at Rankin's stable, and con tinued to the West House, burning all the buUdings ; thence across to BroadweU corner, and down to I. T, MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 369 Martin's store; thence across to Dr. BroadweU' s build ings, to the jail, including that and the adjoining buildings. " The buildings destroyed are the following : Ran kin's stable, a large frame ; Oxley's blacksmith and wagon shop ; Charles Daniel's law-office ; Nouse's paint-shop ; Smith's shoe-shop ; Dr. Woodruff's office ; Carpenter's carpenter-shop ; Gray's dwelling-house and confectionery ; Henry Johnson's barber-shop ; Charles A. Webster's hardware store; Remington's storehouse, occupied by Deebey as confectionery, and by David Givens as store-rooms ; Mcintosh's three- story store, brick ; Miller & Redmond's storehouse ; Mrs. Snodgrass's house; Jack KeUey's taUor-shop; FrizeU's storehouse, occupied as a clothin.g-store ; Frank Boxley's tin-shop; Tom English's shoe-shop; WUliam L. Northcutt's storehouse ; FrizeU's drug store ; John L. McGee's residence ; Luken's boot and shoe store; Dr. Smith's residence; Nebell's clothing- store ; Dr. Boodwell's house and office ; a log-house on the river bank belongmg to Caleb Walton ; the old Lowry House ; the old jaU." 370 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. [Prom the Cincinnati Commercial.] " In our accounts published thus far we have given the main points of the history of the aff'air at KeUer's Bridge, and of the disaster to the raUroad and trains at that point. But the nature of the fight, as display ing great bravery and endurance on the part of the National Guard engaged, and the heavy loss, compar atively speaking, that attended the fight, caUs for a more particular account of the same. KeUer's Bridge, the scene of the engagement, is just sixty-five milea south of this city, and one mile this side of Cynthiana. It was destroyed by the rebels on Thursday last, in order to prevent the sending of troops along the rail road. At five o'clock on Saturday morning last, the One Hundred and Seventy-first was disembarked at this point, together with a handful of men who were to act as cavalry. The trains which had conveyed them immediately backed down the road two miles, where they were thrown from the track and burned. Upon being disembarked, the men of the One Hundred and Seventy-first were supplied with ammunition, and proceeded to eat their breakfast. Suddenly their quiet was disturbed by the rattle of musketry at Cynthiana, MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 371 teUing that hot. work was going on there between the One Hundi-ed and Sixty-eighth and the rebel forces; and in a few moments, to their great surprise, they ascertained that the fields around themselves were ahve with the rebel forces. A volley of musketry ^vas poured in upon them by a squad of the enemy massed behind the fence of a clover-field. From the first it was evident to General Hobson and Colonel Asper that their httle band were completely surrounded ; and, from the disposition of the rebel troops, it Avas evidently their design to conduct the fight in bush whacking style from the brush, should our forces resist, which they probably did not believe would be the case, as they were CAddently two to their one in the first of the fight. " Lender these circumstances, the regiment was di vided mto several squads, and sent to both east and west of the railroad, occupying such positions as they might -secure. The rebels then appeared on every hand, displaying great activity in firing, and consider able skill in keeping under cover from the fire of our troops. TMoughout, the affair was as between sharp- ihooters, each man firing as he could obtain sight of 372 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. one of the enemy. This continued about five hours, the loss on both sides being extraordinarily heavy. That of the rebels was much greater than our own — • as much so, perhaps, proportionately, as their force was superior m numbers — Ave having seven hundred men, and they, with their reinforcements, two thou sand. Against these great odds, the resistance made was desperate and determined. General Morgan, who, when the fight here commenced, Avas at Cynthiana (the rebel force being in command of General Getty), had supposed that the Umon force would have surren dered immediately. He considered his great odds, the greenness of our forces, and wondered, in impatience, how it occurred that the fighting continued. He had expected an immediate surrender, and sincerely de sired it, as he did not wish to lose any of his men, even though the loss entailed upon our forces should be twice as heavy. He certainly had not expected this desperate resistance. He was surprised. He was astounded when, at nine o'clock A. M., a courier dashed up to him in haste at Cynthiana, and gave Gen eral Getty's message, 'Reinforcements, or give it up!' Several hundred troops were immediately sent down MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 373 the pike, Morgan at their head, and with those the line was drawn still closer around the little band, until General Hobson was forced to accept the flag of truce and Morgan's conditions of surrender — that the private property of the troops should be re spected, and that the officers should retain their side-arms. General Hobson, so all accounts agree in saying, had done all that could be done, displaying, himself, the greatest personal courage, and, in thus surrendering, he decided for the best. " Such of the One Hundred and Seventy -first as remained were then drawn up along the pike ; their arms were stacked and burned by the rebels, and they were marched through Cynthiana, a mile south, to a grove, when they were allowed to rest, and where they found the One Hundred and Sixty-eighth Regiment, or, rather, five companies of it — all that had been in the fight at Cynthiana — prisoners, like themselves. In an hour or so, however, the prisoners were marched three miles north on the Augusta pike, where they passed Saturday night. " Early on Sunday morning came the attack upon the main force of the rebels from General Burbridge, 374 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. who had arrived from Paris with a strong force, and two pieces of artUlery, with wMch Morgan was un- pi ovided. " With the first announcement of the approach of Burbridge, came an order from Morgan to the guard over the six hundred prisoners to start them north, which Avas done, and that, too, on the double-quick — Morgan's main force, pursued by Burbridge, foUoAving at a distance of a feAV miles. " This forced march brought them to ClaysviUe, eighteen miles north-east of Cynthiana, where they were halted, di-awn up in line and paroled, and allowed to depart. In thus disposing of them, Mor gan informed them that he had enough to attend to, to get out of the state, but that he should succeed in doing so. The rebel forces then struck due east, with the evident intention of reaching Virginia as soon as possible. The paroled prisoners continued on their way to Augusta, which place they reached on Sunday night, coming to this point by steamer yesterday morning. " General Hobson, who was taken prisoner, is now in a strange predicament, having agreed to procure an MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 375 exchange. He is now at Falmouth — the escort or guard of rebel officers who Avere accompanying Mm having been taken prisoners at that point, on their Avay to the city, by Captain G. H. Laird, of General Hobson's staff". The question involved will necessitate a decision from the War Department. "A dispatch received last night at Covington, from Boyd's Station, reports Morgan's forces scattered, in retreat, in different directions. Five huudred of them were attacked yesterday, near Claysville, on the Au gusta pike, and badly cut up, by Colonel Garrard's command. Morgan's idea now seems to be to get out of Kentucky at the earliest possible moment." A description of the last fight at Cynthiana, be tween the forces of Morgan and Burbridge, gives the foUoAving particulars : " The Federal infantry was posted on the right and left of the artillery, and the cavalry on the flanks — the Seventh Ohio on the left, and the Ninth Michigan on the right. The cavalry simultaneously flanked tha rebels, and turned back then- lines; the infantry, in 376 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. the center, advancing steadily, and forcing back the rebel lines. " The rebel right gave way first — Colonel Minor charging in three hues, under a heavy rebel fire at short range, and relying on the saber. Colonel How ard Smith quailed before their advance, and, turnhig his horse, led his men, in a panic, to and through the toAvn. " In charging upon the rebel left, the Nmth Michi gan struck too far to the right, and cut through to the rebel line, driving them to the river, but leaving a gap through which Morgan and a fcAV hundred of his men escaped, following down the river, and taking the Au gusta pike. " The mfantry pressed back the rebel center, and handsomely repulsed a cavalry charge. The artillery meanwhUe was moved up the pike, within half a mile of the town, and had hardly got in position, when another cavahy charge was made upon it. But a sweeping fire of canister swept men and horses before it, and the rout, already begun, reached its climax. One by one, at first, the rebels 'fell back through the town, crossed the river, and followed the Williams- MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 377 town pike. The Avhole line closed in on them, and they rushed tumultuously through the streets. Down the railroad, over fences, up steep banks, and through the bottoms, the rebels plunged headlong, in their haste to escape. Hemmed in on the east side of the river, their line of escape Avas over the bridge west of town, which was filled with routed and panic-stricken horsemen. " A general charge by columns down the streets was made by General Burbridge's forces, and Morgan's command completely routed. The rebels, unable to cross by the bridge, pushed into the river, great num bers of whom were killed or drowned while crossing. Those who remained together struck off to the west, and were followed for six mUes out by the pursuing forces, leaving their kUled and wounded at every point. " In the engagement, Morgan himself commanded at first, but soon left his men under Colonel Howard Smith, and took to his heels. " General Burbridge's success was complete. " On Sunday night. General Burbridge and staff, with four compames of the Eleventh Michigan Cav 378 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. airy, rode all night, and reached Georgetown by day light. Colonel Garrard's command, which was mounted on fresh horses, and Colonel Hanson's brigade, con tinued the pursuit. " Colonel Garrard's brigade followed Morgan closely to Clark Mountain, near Morehead, when further pur suit would have been fruitless. The force had ridden the first eighty-five miles in tAventy-four hours, and were worn down, out of rations, beyond the reach of forage, and unable to overhaul the main rebel force. " The total number Avho escaped Avitli Morgan, ac cording to reliable estimates, will not exceed seven hundred ; the remainder are kiUed, wounded, pris oners, or skulking to find a more favorable oppor tunity for escape. " Morgan's prestige is gone, and he sinks out of sight as the worst-whipped rebel General ever sent on a raiding expedition. Invited into the state by rebels, and aided by them at every turn, he found more than a match in the vigor and sMU of General Burbridge and the bravery of his men. "Even the hundred-day men did themselves great credit, especially those under General Hobson. The MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 379 severity of the fighting is shown in the large num ber of kUled and mortally wounded in the various battles. " In the vigor which was shown in the pursuit and defeat of Morgan, no cavalry force has made a better record than the Ohio, MicMgan, and Kentucky regi ments engaged under General Burbridge. Not a man or officer failed to do his duty. " General Burbridge finds a great task before him in so admmistering the military affairs of the state as to secure full protection to loyal citizens. He designs to orgamze a large force of colored troops for state defense. " The Union men of the state wiU tolerate no avowed rebel sympatMzers in their midst, the issue now bemg narrowed down to tMs : Shall loyal or dis loyal men hve in Kentucky? It is a satisfaction to know that General Burbridge wiU sustain and protect loyal men. " The raid of Morgan has unmasked many conserv atives, and they wUl find a swift and speedy retribu tion aAvaiting them. Quite a number of arrests have already been made, in Lexington, of parties who wiU 32 380 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. be sent beyond the lines, for their open manifestations of rebel sympathies." The train of cars that had taken the command of General Hobson to Cynthiana were ordered back, as soon as the soldiers had disembarked. Behind this was another train, with three hundred horses, wliich also started back toward Covington. Some secession citizens, however, had placed obstructions on the track, after the cairs had passed up toward Cynthiana. By this means the train, whUe backing along the track, was thrown off, and many of the horses were kiUed. None of the men were injured. During the battle on Sabbath morning, wMle Bur bridge's fcrce was charging through the town, Mr. Buzzard, a wealthy citizen of Cynthiana, hurrahed for Jeff. Dtvjs, when some soldier shot Mm dead. MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 381 CHAPTER XIII. PROrUETICAL SPEECE OP STEPHENS, VICE-PRESIDENT OP THE KEBEL GOYEKNMENT^ THE PEATH OF UOHGAN — KILLED BT ANDREW G. CAMPBELL, AN EAST TENNES SEEAN — REBEL ACCOUNT OP HIS SUEPEISE, DEATH, AND OBSEQUIES — CONCLUDING BEMARKS. ALEXANDER H. STEPHENS, Vice-President of the rebel government, delivered a patriotic and eloquent speech before the Secession Convention of the State of Georgia, in January, 1861, in which he said : "This step (secession) once taken, can never be re called, and all the baleful and Avithering consequences that must follow will rest on this convention for all coming time. When we and our posterity shall see our lovely .South desolated by the demon of war, ivhich ihis act of yours will inevitably invite and call forth ; when our green fields of waving harvests shall be {redden down by the murderous soldiery and fiery car if war sweeping over our land ; our temples of justice 382 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. ^ laid in ashes ; all the horrors and desolations of war upon us, who but this convention avUI be held respons ible for it, and who but him who shall have given his vote for this uuAvise and ill-timed measure, as I hon estly think and beheve, shall be held to strict account for this suicidal act by the present generation, and prob ably cursed and execrated by posterity for all ¦ coming time, for the Avide and desolating ruin that will inevi tably follow this act you now propose to perpetrate ? " Pause now, while you can, gentlemen, and contem plate carefully and candidly these important items. Leaving out of view, for the present, the countless miUions of doUars you must expend in a war Avith the North; with tens of thousands of your sons and brothers slain in battle, and offered up as sacrifices upon the altar of your ambition — and for what ? Is it for the overthrow of the American Government, estab lished by our common ancestry, cemented and buUt up by their sweat and blood, and founded on the broad principles of right, justice, and humanity? " They who inaugurate revolutions seldom ever live to see them close. They who sow to the wind shall reap the whirlwind." MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 383 After three years and a half of unrelenting war, these words seem to have been almost prophetical. The " lovely South " is now " desolated by the demon of war;" many have been held to a "strict account" for secession and its consequences ; " countless mill ions of dollars have been expended," and " tens of thousands " of the sons of the South have perished in battle. How many of the Generals of the Confed erate army, not to mention inferior officers and pri vate soldiers, have faUen during the war, we knoAV not. Southern papers admit a loss of thirty-nine of their Generals, who have been captured, wounded, or MUed, since the commencement of the present year. And now the name of Morgan is to be added to the list of those who have " sowed to the wind and reaped the Avhirl- wind." The announcement of his death was made to the country by the following telegram from General Gillam : " Bull's Gtap, Tenn., September 4, 1864. " To General Tilleson : Sir — I surprised, defeated, and killed John Morgan at Greenville this morning. The killed are scattered for miles, and have not yet been counted. They prob- 384 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. ably number from fifty to one hundred, and about sev enty prisoners. Among those captured were Morgan's staff, with one piece of artillery and a caisson. The enemy's force outnumbered mine, but the surprise was complete. [Signed] "Alvin C. Gillam." A correspondent of the Cincmnati Commercial thus writes : "Kkoxville, Tenn., September 6, 1864. "Last night was a night of rejoicing in this goodly city of Knoxville, the occasion being the arrival of eighty-six prisoners, and the news of the death of General John H. Morgan, the notorious. " On the occasion of the late raid by Wheeler, Gen eral GUlam thought it a matter of prudence to con tract his lines somoAvhat, thus leaving the town of Greenville to the enemy, which they occupied. The scare having passed over. General Gillam moved for ward, and learned that Morgan occupied the town. On Sunday mormng, 4th instant, he surprised John Mor gan and forces. They captured eighty-six prisoners and one gun. The prisoners belonged, for the most part, to McClung's battery, the members of which MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 385 were formerly citizens of this region. Morgan him self was at the house of Mrs. WiUiams, in the town, and was so suddenly surprised that he rushed out of the house only partly dressed. As he Avas passing through the garden in the rear of the house, he Avaa shot through the body, by Andrew G. Campbell, Com pany G, Thirteenth Tennessee Cavalry. This man had two grievances aside from his desire to serve his coun try, which made him more anxious to kill the great horse-thief. When our forces retired from that sec tion, Captam Keenan, A. A. G., of General Gillam's staff, was left at the house of a widow. When Morgan came up, he cursed the woman for receiving him into her house, and took the sick man and thrcAv him into a rough road wagon, and said, 'Haul him off like a hog;' 8,nd our men have not heard from Mm since. The other grievance was, that Campbell had been con scripted, and had to serve in the rebel ranks some months before he could escape. After shooting Mor gan, he took the body on his horse and carried it about one -fourth of a mUe, and then pitcMng it to the ground, he observed to his officers, ' There he is, like a hog.' "CampbeU has been promoted to the rank of a 386 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. Lieutenant for the service which he rendered his coun try in the killing of Morgan, and he well deserves it. Let his name be remembered. "Two of Morgan's staff. Captain Charles Withers, A. A. G., formerly of Covington, and Captain Clay, son of Thomas H. Clay, and grandson of Henry Clay, were captured in the garden of Mrs. Williams, con cealed in a hole in which potatoes had been buried. Clay has been sent to the hospital here. " General Gillam is doing gallant service in East Tennessee, and you will soon hear from Mm again. His men are acquainted with all the mountain paths in the region through which they are now marching. a rp » The Abingdon Virginian gives the following ver sion of the circumstances under wMch Morgan came to his death: " On Saturday, the 3d instant, accompanied by the brigades of Giltner, Hodges, and Smith, and a detach ment of Vaughan's, with four pieces of artillery. Gen eral Morgan and his staff approached the town of Greenville, Tennessee. Scouts had brought the in- MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 387 formation that the enemy were not nearer than Bull's Gap, sixteen mileq distant, and, in addition, a guard had been sent into the viUage to reconnoiter. Upon the report of the enemy, Cassel's battalion, com manded by Captain J. M. Clarke, together with the four guns, were posted some three or four hundi-ed yards from the Court-house, when General Morgan and Ms staff entered and established head-quarters at the residence of Mrs. Dr. Wilhams, near the center of the town. Shortly after the advent of the guard in town, young Mrs. WUliams (daughter-in-law of the lady at whose house General Morgan had his head quarters) disappeared; a scout was sent for her, but could not find her, and, as she returned with the enemy next mormng, it appears she had ridden aU the way to Bull's Gap, and had given information of Morgan's whereabouts, and the strength of the guard. " Precaution had been taken to prevent the egress of persons who might convey information to the en emy, and all the roads and avenues were picketed. After visiting the camps, and seeing that pickets had been duly posted. General Morgan and his staff, at a late hour of the night, retired to rest. Being greatly 33 MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. fatigued, they slept very soundly, and were startled from their slumbers about six o'clock on Sunday morning by the elder Mrs. WUliams, who informed them that the Yankees had surrounded the house. The General and his staff at once sprang from their beds, armed themselves, and rushed out at the oppo site door to that at which the Yankees were thundering. " On the side of the house where they escaped there is a very large yard and garden, with a great deal of foliage and a vineyard. These, together with the basement of the old hotel at the south-western ex tremity of the grounds, enabled them to conceal them selves for a time; but the Yankees by this time began to appear so thick and fast around them, that conceal ment became hopeless, and they rushed out, to attempt to fight their way through, in the hope of succor and assistance from the battalion so near at hand. The officers Avith General Morgan were Major Gassett, Captains Withers, Rogers, and Clay, and a young gen tleman by the name of Johnson, a clerk in the office of the Adjutant-General. At this time they were aU, except Withers and Clay, in the basement of the old hotel, occupied by Mrs. Fry, (wife of the notorious MORGAN AND HIS CAPTORS. 389 bushAvhacker and murderer noAV in our possession), who was all the time calling to the Yankees, informing them of the hiding-place of the 'rebels.' " Seeing escape almost hopeless. General Morgan directed Major Gassett to examine and see if there was any chance of escape from the front of the base ment to the street. Major Gassett looked, and replied that there was a chance, but it was a desperate one, which General Morgan did not hear, as at that instant the Yankees charged up to the fence separating the hotel from Mrs. Williams's grounds, when the General, with Major Gassett, Captain Rogers, aiid Mr. John son, sprang out in the direction of the vineyard, when the two latter were captured and the General killed." From the same authority we learn that the body was sent through the lines by a flag of truce, and was mterred with imposing ceremonials, at Abingdon, Vir ginia, on Tuesday evening, September 6. In the previous chapters of this work, Morgan has been spoken of as a living man. They were written and stereotyped before his death, and contain aU we have to say of his character and acts. m, I