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

surrendered to me, on being summoned, and de-
livered up their arms. Being joined by man
of my command. Mr.. Spaldlng, with four addi-
ionat prisoners, the next morning Joined Col.
Woods party and returned to M.iti eesbo 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 ,0U0
Their advance. regiment OF cavalry, is 8 miles
this side OF Nashville, on the MurtreesbOcO' pike
A sergeant among the prisoners, W, o seems to be
an intelligent man, can give you some interest
ing details JOHN II. MORGAN, Captain,
Commanding Post.
To Maj. Gen. HARDEE, Com. LIST Div.
SHELBYvILLE, Tenn, March 10.
Major-General w. HARDEE, Commanding 1st
Diysion;
Sir, l have the honor to submit the following
report OF the OF eratlOnS OF portion of my COM
maud on the l5tn, 10th, 18th, and iSt, instants.
About O'Clock p NJ, on the 18th inst, with
Col. Wood and detachment of 40 men, left
Murfreesboro' tor Gailatin, ha ling learned rhu,
no Federal furoes renamed at tn place. Th.
Chief objects OF the expedition were 10 ln:erceui
th', mail, to destroy the rolling stock the oad
To make prisoners, and to obtain information vi
inte est To the service
Our destination was kept secret, and the com
mand having been sent from Murfreesboro' il
separate parties, py different roa .s to unite al
some distance from town. 1t was i'm osslbl.
that the enemy could be apprlSed of the mo e
ment until after the blow was struck. A citizen
If Murfreesboro', hose zeal and loyalty is un
doubted, made the necessary arrangements OF
runners to keep us perfectly posted as to any
movements that might be made with view oi
cutting us off,
Oar first march, conducted mostly at night
carried us about t~o miles beyond Lebanon
Early next morning continued the march, cross
ing the Cumberland at Canoe Bi ancb Ferry, and
| reached GaliatIn about =. NJ. Leaving the
command just outside the town, 1t. Col Wood
of Writ Adams cavalry, myself and the men
disguised as FcCeralS, entered and took posses
sion. Tae Colonel, myself. and two men ga
ioped to the depot and secured the telegraph o.
rator, his instruments, books, &c. Among the
papers found are several orders of General
Buell., some in cipher, which please find en-.
| closed. We secured also, a few minutes after
as it came in, an engine and tender, carrying
Il number OF carpenters to repair the road. =
fhey were made prisoners, but were released as
we left tue town. AS soon as the citizens were
made aware that were Confederate troops, f..
ciilty was Afforded US TO carry out our plans
Upon securing the engine, We at once commenc-
ed to a, cumulae all tie rolling stock q larg
quantlty) on the main track preparatory TO urn
ing When this was complete, the fire was ap.
piled, and in The course OF an hour all cXcept
the. engine rendered permanently useless.
That night, havif pcketed securely, We remain
ed i'll Gallat n. The next morning We destroyed
the water tank, ana taking the engine, he Colo
onel and myself proceeded some miles up the
road, with view of discovering any approach OF
the enemy or the mail train. In the meantime,
a 1st Lieutenant and four privates OF Orders
rau ed \ wHy fo shy;tt
We're taken prisoners by our pickets. The mail
train being some hours behind time, and learning
that oul presence might have become known, We
concluded to Withdraw and return to Murfrees
boro'.
Shortly after leaving Gallatin we learned tha
a party of twenty of the enemy, in charge Of
three prisoners, were approaching GaIlatln b,
the Scottsvlle road. 1t was determined to chi,
them off. Pushing tho prisoners with a guard
across the Cumberland, we returned to effect The
capture. We had taken our position on tho
road, 50 to secure the capture of al, but, M
fortunately, when within half mile Of then,
they were warned of danger by negro, and fled
precipiarely to the woods, Captain Austin, iu
command Of the party, making his escape on a
horse cut from buggy. 1t being too dark to fol-
low, remained picketing The road until morn
ing No further opportunity Offering, we re-
suned our march, aid after travelling about sixty
niles, reached M freesboro' about two o'cloc k
next morning.
We were made acquainted just before reach
ing the town that body OF Federal cavalry had
ridden through the evening before, and that the
enemy was In large force near by. We rema n
ed about twelve miles from town, long enough to
ascertain their exact locality, and then passed
safely through within two miles Of their infa try
We reached Shelbyvilie about clock. P. NJ
to-d ~, the men and horses a good deal jaded.--
Yesterday seven transports passed down the
Cumberland Carrying the REMNANT Of Genera,
Thomas div sion. AsOur isarty had not entirely
crossed, We d!d net fire into themw From AL we
could learn, the enemy has commenced to NOV. .
large body OF cavalry was on the road to
Columbii. 1t is believed that the enemy have
sent large force down the Tennessee by boats
and will 4lso NOV IN force acro7S the country
IL is reported in Nashville that they intend to
end the campaign before June. The prisoners
will be sent forw rd in the three O'Clock tram to
morrow.
have omitted to mention that before leaving
Gallatln The engine was destroyed, thus leaving
but one the road
| have ascertained, beyond doubt, that Love,
a man Of my command, who was taken prisoner
in the affair of the 9Th INST, (slnce dead ) was
shot by the enemy after being taken.
The whole country through which we passed
turned out in masses to welcome us. | have
never before witnessed such enthusiasm nd feel
ing. NJ n, women, and children, never wearled
in their efforts to minister to our wants. All ex-
pressed themselves ggatfed at the presence of
Southern soldiers in their midst. A ndsom
fae was presented US by tne ladies Of Gallatn.
and some accomp rietl us to the ferry.
Upon our return a number Of C... Bates re -
iment We're en- ble0 TO accompany US.
Very respectfully, yours,
JOuN II MORrAv Cop,d,o