The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-12-30
GEN. MoRGAN's EXPEDITIONS.

GEN. MORGAN'S EXPEDITIONS
We had the pleasure of an interesting conversa
ton with Major R. A. Aston, formerly Adjt-Gene
raj of John III. Morgan. Major Aston accompa.
MED General Morgan in his late expedition. in
Kentucky, and is therefore enabled to state facts
which came under his own observation
When General Bragg's army arrived at Lam
| caster, Kentucky, on their way back, Gen. Morgan
was ordered TO bring up the rear. In carrying
o1t this order Ae discovered that Buell. had given
up his pursuit OF General Bragg, and was pushing
him out of Kentucky with only one division Crit
tenden's) of his army In the meantime Buell.
was concentrating the main body of his forces at
Frsnklin, with view of marching upon Middle
Tennessee, for the purpose of securing Chattauoo-
ga, regarded as the most important point in the
Southern Confederacy. Upon the discovery of
these designs, Morgan Immediately sought and OBJ
taiEed permission from the commanding General
to move back and make detour through Western
Kentucky, and destroy both lines OF railroad to
Bowling Green. On Friday, 18th October, Nor
gan left his encampment near Glades Church, and
reached Lexington the next morning about two
o'clock. After resting an hour he surrounded the
town and succeeded in capturing twelve Compa-
MES of the Sd and 4th Ohio Cavalry, under the
command of Colonel Kenney. Not man escaped
of the entire garrison.
From this point, Morgan moved to Versailles,
Dumont, who had marched from Frankfort to in
tercept Morgan. The meeting, however, was
rather unexpected to Dument, who, after Sigh,
demonstration, fearing ambush, ordered re-
treat, and Morgan continued his march to Bloom
field. At the latter place he captured Captain
and his forces, that were acting as garrison.
Leaving Bloomfield ne moved in the direo-
ton of Bardstown, Ky., where the enemy had
a large force. By threatening Bardstowu he
caused the enemy's forces to be drawn up and re-
main in line Of battle all that afternoon, while
Morgan sent out company towards Louisville,
and succeeded in capturing three hundred and
fifty prisoners, with train of one hundred and
fifty eight wagons. He destroyed the latter, and
the next day paroled his prisoners He then took
up his line of march to Elizabethtowu, where his
men destroyed the railroad and bridge over Valley
Creek. " hi.e thus engaged, long train of cars,
loaded with Yankees came up. Morgan retired to
the other end Of the town and built some three or
four thousand fires, thus creating the impression
of very large force with him, and keeping the
Yankees from making attack.
The next place he reached was Litchfed and
from thence moved forward to Morgantown,
where he was again intercepted. From Morgan
town they marched to Rochester, crossed Mud
River hastily constructed bridge of fat-boats,
which they sunk after crossing, and next day
went forward to Greenville, KY, from there to
Hopkinsville, making the latter place base of
operations
Here Gen, Morgan halted his command for the
space of five days, during which time he was &C.
cupied in sending out expeditions in various d.
rections. A portion of his command went to
Greensboro on the Ohio River, for the purpose Of
diverting the Yankee troops from Bowling Green;
another portion of the command marched to with
in five miles of Bowling Green and destroyed the
railroad from Bowling Green to Russel!ville,
including bridge, &c. Another portion of his
forces started out and destroyed all the water
tanks within reach. large trestle work near
Springfield was destroyed, and all the bridges from
Springfield down to Gallatin. The march was
then continued to Trenton and Keysburg back to
Springfield and Gallatin. These successes brought
the Yankee army to halt for want of supplies
and the interruption of communication. 1t has al
ready caused Rosecrans delay Of over two months
in repairing the roads which his supplies must
reach him. For greatness of conception, daring
and rapidity of execution, this expedition of Nor
gaEs has not been surpassed since the commence
ment of the war.-Charieston Courier.