The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-09-09
MoRGAN's FIGHT NEAR eALLAT1N.

The following letter, giving account of the
late victory by Col. Morgan the Yankees,
near Gallatin, Tenn, we copy from the Knoxville
Register:
LENoIR's, Tenn Aug. 26, '62.
Your readers have doubtless learned ere this of
the recent battle between Gen. Morgan and Gen
johnson, of the Federal army. l have just re-
turned from, the scene of the brilliant exploits Of
| the ubiquitous Morgan in Middle Tennessee -
! On Wednesday morning, an Indiana regiment
was despatched from Nashville by rail, as far as
the burnt bridge at Sandersyiile, from thence to
proceed on foot to GaIlatin, to recapture that
place, and at the time Gf possible) capture
the redoubtable John Morgan. The Colonel of
this regiment (Hefferen) entered Galatin, and
arrested every male citizen, including many of the
oldest in the county; he permitted his men to sack
the stores and destroy the property of quiet,
peaceable citizens; and also to enter the Masonic
Lodge at Galatin and scatter the furniture and
paraphanalia of the order in every direction.
They then proceeded with their captives down
the road towards Nashville. In the meantime,
Gen. Morgan, with 1900 men, returned to Gala
tin from Hartsville, and hearing Of the recent
visit Of the /" Yanks; started with his command
in pursuit.
He chased the Ind;ania7s t. within ten miles of
Nashville killing some fifty or sixty and capturing
about fifty prisoners At the junction of the
Edgefed and Ky. r. R. and the Louisville and
Nashville Road, the Yankees made stand be-
hind triangular stockade work, when Gen. Nor
gan drew off his men, rather than sacrifice them
in the attempt to capture the few Yankees that
had taken refuge there, and returned to Galatn
In the fight at the Junction two of his officers
were killed-Lieut. J. A. Smith of Go. "a -
and Adjutant Niles. Only three of his men were
wounded.
n -
reached Morgan that Gen. johnson, with large
Federal cavalry force, was rapidly advancing
Morgan rallied his men and moved out the Harts-
vile road to meet him. Both parties ran together
at the First Toll Gate the Hartsyille road and
the fight commenced, but ceased shortly at the
appearance of flag of truce from the Yankees
johnson requested armlstce. He was taken
by surprise, and his men were not all together
Morgan sent word to him that he had been fol-
lowing him from point to point, and now he could
get it. The fight resumed, and shortly ended
in complete victory for Morgan-Gen. johnson,
600 of his men, having surrendered. About five
hundred escaped by fording the Cumberland,
swimming the river, and leaving their horses
the wrong side and getting the safe side of
that stream in the speediest and most practicable
way possible AS [ came up to Lebanon about
o'clock on the evening of the fight, saw John
sons men "skedadling" (to quote Yankee yul-
garsm) in the most disgraceful manner Many
of them were hatless and even bootess after their
fruitless effort to capture John Morgan. They
tarried not in Lebanon, nor even till they landed
safely in Nashville.
Many of them on foot, were pressing horses and
vehicles of every kind with which to get away
from Morgan, and their guns and accoutrements
were strewn from Lebanon to the toll gate
est to Nashville. They acknowledged themselves
to the citizens of Lebanon that they were badly
whipped, in fact, "cut all to pieces" Morgan, |
believe, is still at Hartsvle, perhaps at Gala
TIM and Forest must have joined him by this
time New recruits were focking to Morgan from
every direction in Kentucky and Tennessee and
the citizens once again hopeful Of deliverance
from the Philstines.