Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-03-28

Successful Movement in Middle Tennessee
The following is Capt Morgan otdcial rrpor
Of q late noverneut OF tie forces undor his CON
mani. The gallant partisan is doing gcOJ
service:
SHELBYVILLE, Tenn, March ~.
MajorGen. W.. j. Hariee, Commanding LIST Division
Sir have the honor to submit the follow
ing report Of the operations of a portion of nv
command on the 10Th, 10th, 18th and 18th inst.
Al about ! O'Clock, P. NJ, on the 18th inst, with
CoL. Wood and q detachment Of forty men, /
LETT MUTfresb0ro for Gsllatin, having learned
tAat 10 Federal forces remained at that place.
The chief objects OF the expedition were to in
tercept the mail, to destroy the rolling stock on
the road, to make prisoners, and to obtain iDfor-
nation Of interest 70 the service.
Our destination was kept secret, and the com
mand having been sent IRON Murfreesboro in
separate parties, by different roads, to unite at
some distance fr5m town, it was impossible that
the enemy could DO apprised Of the movement
until after the blow was struck. A citizen Of
4uriTaesboro, whose zeal and loyalty is undoubt-
60, made the necessary arrangements Of runneTs
10 keep Us perfectly posted as to any movements
tnat might be made with the view Of cutting
us of.
Our first march, conducted mostly at night.
carried us about two miles beyond Lebanon.
Eariy next morning we continued the march,
crossing the Cumberland az Canoe Branch Ferry
and reached Gallain about four ?. 81 Leaving
the command Just on side the town, Lieut-COL.
Wood, Of WHIT Adams cavalry, myself and the
men, disguised as Federals, entered aud took
possession The colonel, myself, and two men
ga.oped 70 the depot and secured the telegraph
operator, his instruments, books etc Among
ne papers found are several orders Of General
bnet.s, some IN cipher, which please find iu-
closed
We secured, also, a few minutes after, as it
cane N, an engine and tender, carrying a num-
Der OF carpenters 70 repsir the road they were
made prisoners, but were released as we lett the
town. As soon Is the citizens Wers made aware
that we we're Confederate troops, facility was
afforded US to carry out our plans. Upon secur-
ing the engine, we at once commenced to accu.
muiate AL the rolling stock Ia large quantity
On the man track, preparatory to burning.
w nen thls was complete, the IRE was applied,
and IA the course OF an hour all except the
engine was rendered permanently useless. That
night, having pleketod securely, we remained in
Galiata. The next morning ws destroyed the
water tank sld, taking the engine, the colonel
aGo myself proceeded come miles up the road,
Win q view of discovering any approach Of the
eaemyo the mail train. In the meantime q first
lieutenant and Jour privates Of Orders regi-
ment (tederas), on their way to Nashville, were
taken prisoners by our picketS. The mail train
being some hours behiEd time, aud learning that
our presence might have become known, We
concluded 70 withdraw aud return TO Murfrees-
boro.
Shortly after leaving Gailatin we learned that
a party of twenty Of the enemy, in charge Of
three prisoners, were approaching Gallatin by
the ocottsvlle road. Ii was determined 10 cut
them off. Pushing the prisoners, with a guard.
across the Cumberland, we returned to effect the
capture. We had taken our position on the
tCGd, 50 as to secure the capture Of all, but, un-
fortunately, when within g half a mile of them,
they we're warned of danger by a negro, and
lied precipItstely 10 the woods, Capt. Austin, in
command Of the party, making MS escape on a
horse cut from a buggy. 1t being too da-k to
follow, we remained picketing the road until
morning. No further opportunity Offering, we
resumed our march, aud after travelling about
O'Clock next morning.
We were male acquainted just before reach
ing the town that a body Of Federal cavalry
had ridden through the evening before, and that
the enemy was In large force near by. We re-
nElU5d about twelve miles from town, long
70 ascertain their exact locality, and then
passed safely through, wilsiR two miles Of theil
infantry. We reached Shelbyvils about -four
O'clock 3. NJ to-jaY, the men and horses a good
deal jadsd. Yesterday several transports passed
down the Cumberland, carrying the remnant OF
Gen. Thomas division; AS oGr party had net en-
tireiy crossed we did not FIRE into them. From
all we could learn the enemy has commenced to
move. A large body Of cavalry was seen on the
read 10 Columbia. It is believed that the enc
my have sent Q large force down the Tennessee
by boats, aud viii also move in force across the
country. Ii is reported IN Nashville that they
intend to end the campaign before June. The
prisoners Will be sent forward IN the 3 o'clock
train t0-mOTT9a.
L have omitted to mention that before leaving !
Gallatn the engine was destroyed, thus leaving
but one on the road.
have ascertained, beyond doubt, that Love,
a man Of my command, who was taken prisoner
in the affair Of the sth instant (since dead) was
shot hy the enemy after being taken.
tile whole country through which we passed
turned ont in masses to welcome us. ] have
never before witnessed such enthusiasm and
feeling Men, women and children never
wea-ici in their efJrts to minister 20 our wants
themselves gIatiGed at The presence
OF southern soldiers in their idst. A hand
flag was presented US by the ladies Of Gal
latin, and sQme accompanied us even to the
Upon our return a number Of Colonel Rates
regiment we're enabled to accompany us.
Very respectfully, yours,
JOIN II. MORGAN, Commanding.