Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1863-01-22
Letter from the 98th Reg't

Editorial Correspondence OF the Belmont Chronicle.
New HAVEN, KY, Jan. IL, 1858.
In my last spoke Of the probability Of
our falling back from Columbia to Lebanon,
for its protection, on account Of the then
anticipated raid of Morgan. The raid has
taken place. Morgan, with force OF less
than three thousand men, has travel through
Tennessee and Kentucky, distance Of -
miles, coming in contact with, or passing in
proximity to, not less than forty thousand
Union soldiers, cavalry. infantry and artiD-
lery and, after quietly accomplishing the
work he started to accomplish--destroying
the N. and L. X. R., parolling about one
thousand soldiers, sick and well, destroying
. large amount Of Government property,
and stealing five or six hundred horses and
lurge amount Of clothing, &c, for his
men, has returned, with but little loss to
the rebel army in Tennessee.
The 3ith brigade about the 23d of Decom.
ber-a week after we had heard that Nor.
ean was coming--by order Of Gen. Gilbert,
fell back to Campbellsvile, distance of 20
niles. On the 2Sth we were ordered by
Gen. Boyle to fall back to Lebanon, as Nor.
gan was at Springfield, having crossed the
railroad, and destroyed it and the telegraph.
We arrived ut Lebanon that night. and re-
mained inactive here for two days, awaiting
on attack, which we were hourly promised
BY the afiriphted citizens, and sometimes by
the unreliable scouts that were sent out to
examine the doings Of the enemy.
On the evening Of the 3Oth we we're in
formed that Morgan had left Springfield
and was falling back through New Haven,
OF in that direction, and we were ordered to
prepare at once to move to intercept him,
Is he would certainly have to pass within
about six miles Of Lebanon on his return.
Never did men prepare to march in higher
spirits than did the men of tho 34th bri
gade. They promptly filed their haver
sacks, and tied blanket over their should
ers, and with we'll filed cartridge boxes,
were early formed in line for nigh, march,
that promised, at least, a contest with the
great bugbenr, Morgan. In this reasonable
expectation, however, they were sadly dis
appointed; for after several hours patient
waiting, they wore ordered by Col. Haskin,
who had command of all the forces at Lob.
anon, to 20 to their beds and await in readi.
ness for further orders. The men reluct.
antly obeyed the order, for they as well as
almost every ono else, felt that that was the
hour for action and not for sleeping, i'll
Morgan was to be intercepted aud chastised
for his tcmcrity in venturing, as it we're, into
the very jaws Of tho lion. But we slept
q thai night, aud idled away nearly all of next
day, although it was known to certainty
that Morgan was moving out pasted us az
fast rs hi, jaded horucs would enable him
TO move.
At O'Clock, p. NJ, of tho 3st we were
again ordered to move in light marching
order. The regiments were formed in line
but did not move until after o'clock. In
the meantime the sublime idea of hauling
the mon in mule teams was originated by
Col. Haskin, and about one hundred aud
twenty live teams were harnsssed, many of
them with unbroken mules, and driven out
the Columbia pike.
The 9th Kentucky cavalry, Col. Hallessey.
had the advance, followed by the 9th Ken.
tucky cavalry, 1t. Col. Boyle, the 18th
Kentucky infantry, Col. Haskin, the 10th
Kentucky inIantry, Col. Oraddock, Miller
battery, and then the S4th brigade. The
kentucy regiments were loaded into the
wagons, the 34ih brigade was permitted to
goQutoot in the rear. With this grand
cavaicade We started, not to intercept but in
pursuit Of Morran's cavalry, for We had NJ. |
ready learned that ho had crossed Rolling
Fork aud was ascending Muldraugh's Hill,
some four miles West of the pike
The 9th Kentucky cavalry moved forward
10 near New Market, distance Of six niles
from Lebanon, where Col. Hallessey, as
brave, noble, energetic, and able man as
Kentucky had in her service, was killed by
couple Of the rear guard, or stragslers
rather, Of Morgan's forces, whilst in nd.
vance Of bis command On the receipt ofI
the news Of his death tho whole command
was ordered TO halt and bivouac for tho
night within fvs miles Of Lebanon although
Col, Reid OF tho s4ih brigade asked as a
favor, that his brigade be permitted to 20
TO the TOP of Muldraugh's Hill that night.
We started at shout o'clock next morning,
January ist, in pursuit, reached CampbelIs.
vile about noon, where Morgan had rested
oil night and took his breakfast on our ra
tons LEFT there for want Of transpo, tation
when w fell back TO Lebanon. About 81
,. r. our advance reached Green River, in
time to sec the burning bridge. fred after
hsssas's rear guard had wvsssd, end