The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1862-12-12
From the Atlanta Confederacy.
Narrow Escape of Gen. Morgan

While Gen. Morgan's command was at Gal
latin, he received information that large
division of the Abolition army was approach
ing Nashville by the way of Tyree Springs.
He accordingly selected three hundred men
from the brigade, for the purpose of ambush
ing them and capturing their wagon train.
He arrived at the road just as the head of the
Yankee column was approaching, and select
ing good position, succeeded IN pouring q
very destructive fire into them. The General
arranged his men ON the side of the road,
and placing himself at the head of the line,
instructed them to retain their fire until he
gave the signal, which was to be the firing of
his own pistol The signal was given, ard
Immediately three hundred double barreled
guns were discharged right into the midst Of
the Yankee horde.
The effect can be imagined better than
described. The whole column recoiled in
great confusion, and it was sometime before
the enemy could regain their equilibrium
Our men had time to reload and discharge
another voley before their artillery could be
brought to bear on u.s. When we were COM
PEELED to retire, the General made circuit
to the rear, and placing his men in another
good position, instructed them to await the
approach of the next brigade, while he rode
on with one of his officers towards Louisville
to ascertain how far it was behind.
In this ride he captured about dozen pri-
soners, most of whom were officers. He was>
so much entertained by this amusement, that
he was gone longer than he was aware
In the meantime the enemy finding out that
our men had taken position in their rear,
sent back two regiments of cavalry and drove
them from their position. The General, not
being aware of this, rode back to where he
had left his men, but what was his snrprlse
when he found himself in front of about two
thousand .sblue coats" The Abolition officer
Immediately rode forward and ordered him
to halt and demanded the signal. The Ge-
neral replied, "What do you mean, sir, by.
demanding signal of an officer of my rank.
I'll teach you. sir how to insult govern
ment officer by demanding signals when you
should be attending to other matters of great
err Importance"
He then ordered them to open the way for
a column Of infantry which he was going
back to bring up. The officer touched his
hat, and Immediately gave way while Gen.
Morgan rode through their column. As he
rode along he would address the stragglers.
ordering them to ''move up" that they were
no better than deserters, and only winted
Morgan to catch them. They would touch
their hats and move up briskly. In the
meantime the prisoners who were following
the General were convulsed with laughter,
thinking no doubt ttat he was their prisoner,
and they would see the fun out before giving
him up. If this was their calculation they
were sadly deceived, for the General coming
to place in the lawn where the fence was
low, put spurs to his horse, and bidding bis
captured officers good day, was soon out of
sight.
What must have been their reflection, when
they beheld him disappear from their sight.
/ have no doubt they regard him as spirit.
The recruiting Offices in Philadelphia are
to be closed, and the recruiting sergeants are
to leave for, their respective regiments at once.
TT is said that the recruitinr Offices throuoh