Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1862-04-08

Scouting il. the Wess.-Capt. MolSan's OFF,
cial H. pots.

Scouting is the Wess..Capt. Molsan's Off.
cial Il. pots.
The New Orleans Picayune produces Captain
John H. Morgan's official reports of his success
full scouting expeditions, which we append. They
are worthy of preservation as part OF the his
tory of our revolution:
MURPREEsBoRo', Tenn, March 10, 1862.
SIR: With a view of determining the enemy's
position and his movements, Lieut.. Col. X. =
Wood, of Adams' Mississippi Cavalry, myself
ten Texas Rangers, Ut rerrey's late command
and fifteen OF my squadron, left mere ON the 7
inst, at two r. NJ, aud proct eded III the d rec
ton Of Nashville. Marching eighteen miles, and
avoiding the pike, We encamped for the night
Early on the morn'n. OF the 9Th, having procur-
ed suitable guides, we resumed our march az.
entered tie Federal lines. At half miie iron
Il cavalry camp, winch We were compelled To pass
in full view, We captured five men belonging t.
tn 18th Ohio, Col. Smith. Their arms-Enfieid
rlhes-were also secured. Passing the cavalry
camp, we continued our march in the direction o
Nashville. Having obtained suitable position
IN the woods, opposite the Lunatic Asylum
where We had good view Of tie pike, opera
tions commenced. Seeing wagon train with iii
guard approaching, Col. Wood, myself, and fOul
men, wearing United 5 .ates overcOats, rode dowi
to the pike, stopped the train, and made twenty
three prisoners The horses and mules were cu1
rom the wagons, and the prisoners mounted anu
sent back to the party in the woods. This con
tinued un ii We had accumulated ninety -cigh
prisoners, among them Gen Dumonts Aid, aud
several other officers.
Returning In three PARTIES with the prisoners
one party, consisting OF sixty prisoners and tel
guards, commanded by Lietuehaht Owens, of my
command, Was attacked and pursued by the 4tl
regiment Ohio cavalry. Alter pursuit of hi.
teen miles, during which the prisoners wer,
abandoned. LieRt. Owens succeeded in reaching
the river with his party, and, plunging in from
steep ba TX, swan the river with their horses alG
m de heir escape-the river arr eSting the pro
gress of the enemy. During the pursuit many
| shots were fired by the enemy, but without ell
fect. Two CT the prisoners who resiste officers
We're shot. Four of hiet. Owens who were
IN danger of being 0vertaken, turned Oft IN tn
woods, an as yet have not made their appear
ance. Col. Wood, with fourteen men and TWEEN
ty-elght prisoners, succeeded in crossing the
country anu reach hing our pickets near Murrees
boro' the same night, having passed within mile
Of the enemy s Cav airy.
Return .ng, alone, in the direction of Murfrees-
boro', encoun cred picket OF six men, who
surrendered to me, on being summoned, and de-
livered up their arms. Being joined by man
of my command. Mr. Spaldlng, with four addi-
tionat prisoners, the next morning Joined Col.
Woods party and returned to Maiti tesbo o.
We have thirty EIGHT prisoners who have been
sent forward.
We have large number Of horses and mules,
sabres, pistols, saddles, harness, &C., which |
will distribute to the men OF the command here
who need them
There are no indications Of an advance on the
part OF the enemy. Their force is about G5 ,0OU.
Their advance. regiment OF cavalry, is miles
this side OF Nashville, on the Murtreesboco' pike
A sergeant among the prisoners, W. seems to be
an intelligent man, Can give you some interest
ing details JOHN II. MORGAN, Captain,
Commanding Post.