Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-11-29
Thrilling Adventure of an Army Courier.

Thrilling Adventure of an Army Courier.
/ Nashville Correspondence Philadelphia Press
/ A courier recently sent out by Governor
johnson and General Negley, with import
/ ant dispatches met with variety of ad-
ventures, the narration of which may be
/ interesting to your readers, as showing the
treatment our messengers receive from the
hands of robbers who lurk every road 10
rob and plunder travellers.
The courier left Nashville on the Sd inst
with dispatches and private letters, and
passed over the road without difficulty un-
til he reached Mitchelsville, and was riding
over Red river bridge, when sixteen Of
Morgan's guerrillss came in sight, and or
dered him to halt. He Immediately rode
near the side Of the bridge, and threw most
Of his papers into the river. The leader
observing the movement, fired his gun, the
ball just grazing his head, and immedi-
stely ordered him to dismount, wade into the
water, and bring cut the letters. He
obeyed, but instead of recovering used his
best effort to destroy any such letters and
dispatches as he could reach. The rebels.
who were looking at him from the bridge,
fired several shots at him, which luckily
missed him, but splashed the water all
around where he stood. After coming out
Of the river he thought he would give his
captors the slip by running away, but, be-
ing much benumbed and exhausted he
fell ere he proceeded dozen yards. The
guerrillas soon overlook him, and the
Lieutenant, placing his revolver at his
forehead, told him to get on his knees and
say his prayers if he had any to say, for
he had but q moment to live.
The Captain used his authority in this
instance, and prevented his subordinate
from numbering him. After stripping and
searching him, he was allowed to ride his
own horse bare-backed to Galatin, the
headquarters of John Morgan, the robbers
having appropriated his saddle blanket
bride, &C., together with all his paper. and
S35 in money, 10 their own use. Arriving
at Morgan's headquarters he was placed
under guard in the house Morgan was then
occupying, which was, by the way, Colonel
Benefits residence, who was prisoner
in Nashville some time since and recently
exchanged. The first salutation he reeeiv-
ed from the chivalric Morgan was, "You
Id villain, we have got you at last
and, d-n you, I'll haveyou shot before
night" The prisoner told him he could mur-
der him, but" said he, drawing a Con
federate army discharge from his pocket,
q demand a trial by court martial"
Morgan, after cursing him awhile, told
him he could Mt see why such ID scoun-
drels as he wanted TO be tried by Court
martial; but remarked that he had no time
to attend to such matters, and would send
him to Breckenridge, at Murfreesboro. The |
carrier having by this means gained time,
which, under the circumstances, was what |
he most needed, he ventured to ask Morgan |
for his horse. "Tl keep your horse /
for you safe until you're hung" and /
with this Morgan left. Soon after |
he was taken to Murfreesboro, his |
guards riding while he was compelled |
10 walk. During this tedious trip he sew |
eral times fell from exhaustion, and had |
finally to be carried in a wagon the last |
nine miles Of the route The disposal of |
the case was referred to Breckinridge, but /
be being sick deferred the trial for day .
Or two. This lucky illness was probably ]
he means Of saving our friends life, as |
Breckenridge sent him word that he should |
surely be hung, and that he need expect no /
mercy shown him. He was confined in the /
upper story Of the courthouse with several |
prisoners charged with being spies. The |
rebels whom he met reported that Morgan's /
men had burned both the railroad and pom
LOon bridges at Nashville, and that the 1
rebel force at Murfreesboro was never |
more than five thousand men. The room |
IN which the courier was confined boasted 4
If neither chair nor bed, nothing but /
ricketty table and an old mat Aftersome
ieliberationy the only article Of furniture /
which seemed Of any use was the mat, /
which, with the aid of broken-bladed
he converted into frail rope. At
night he opened the solitary window Of the |
room and fastening one end Of the rope to
l post, he began his perilous descent, and |
It last reached the ground safely, and 1
made for the woods. Not knowing the
points Of the compass he was long time
rying to discover the right road to Nash
lille, but at last reached the Nashville I
bike, which he kept until obliged to leave
t by the numerous guerrilla camps scat
cred along all parts of the road for the
entire distance. Wherever he observed
or saw the light Of the camp
Tres, he would strike for the woods, where
ne would lie until safe to venture out
lgain. Thus lodging about, first on the
'oad and then among the woods, he, after
hree days travel, with nothing to eat
ave mouthful Of corn bread, furnished
lin by negro, reached house near the
Federal pickets. Seeing no light, he went
lround and found the family in the
ear of the house at supper. Calling the
proprietor to the door, he asked him what
'oad he was on. "The Nolansville road"
epled the gentlemanly Mr. 7. "And
low far from Nashville 2" said the couri-
II. Two miles" care those our pick
IT'S y asked the courier. al don't know"
aid Mr.. T., (which pickets you mean by
our pickets. - "Why," said the courier,
the Confederate pickets, Of course
Oh " said Mr.. T., those don't happen
o be our pickets" "Then," saws our
riend, "Pm all right and much obliged
to stay over night, finding he was
.mong friends, he related his escape from
he rebels, and soon after reached the pick
IS, where he was warmly welcomed by
he officer inoommand, who furnished him
With horse and escort, with which he
cached headquarters. His arrival was
uite uniOoked-for, Of course, and greatly
both the Governor and General
Segley, who were fearful that he had been
illed by his captors. After three days
est he is as well as ever, and says he is
7illing to give Morgan another chance to
apture him, whenever the Government
eeds his services.
Financial Matters.