Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-08-11
tGbe Obio 6tatesnra,,
.,ass,o Morgan,s Raid.

see, on tho 9th Of June, until The 18Th of July
the day Of itB disaster on the banks Of the Ohio
near Bufangton Island--on which day Il seem
that the writer, s. P. CusNIseHAM, A. A. "A. G
MoReAS's Cavalry Division. with some three hun
dred and fifty others, crossed the Ohio at Belle
willie, and from thence made their way through
our lines into the enemy's country. Had v,
space We would, publish the whole article, bu
we have not, and hence must content ourselves
with the column at tho conclusion, first remark
Ing that CusrINoHAm says that they left Sparss
With two Thousand and twenty eight effective
men and four pieces Of artillery. The concIus.
Ion of his article is as follows: .0 -1E
From Versailles We moved without iuterrup-
ton across to Harrison, Ohio, destroying the
track and burning small bridges on the Law
renceburg and indianapolis railroad. At Harri-
| son We burned fine bridge. Leaving Harrison
| at duck, with Dolseless tread, we moved around
Cincinnati, passing between that city and Hamil-
ton, destroying the railroad, and scout run
Ming the Federal pickets into the city, the whole
command marched within seven miles OF it,
Daylight of the 14th found us eighteen miles
east Of Cincinn,ti; sunset had left ne twenty
two miles west, but the clfcuitous route We tray.
| eled was not less than one hundred miles
| During this night's march many of our men,
from excessive fatigue, were riding along fast
asleep. Indeed, hundreds would have been
left asleep on the road; had u not been for the
untIring vigilance Of our gallant General Up
and down the line he rode, laughing with this
one, joking with that, assuming fierce de-
meanor with another, and so on. None we're
left, and when We reached the railroad near
Camp Dennison, few persons would have guess
ed the fatigue the men had undergone from
their fresh and rosy appearance. A fight was
Imminent. Madame Rumor had been whisper.
Ing that old Granny Burnside would pay us
visit that morning, but instead of arriving he
sent US train Of cars with several Of bis officers
who were kindly received, and 10 honor Of their
arrival grand FIRE was made Of the cars, ETC.
Nothing of special importance occurred after
passing Dennson, except at Camp Shady the
destruction of seventy y-fye army wagons and a
vast amount of forage, until the morning of
the 18th. Our command had heavy marches over
bad roads, making detours, threatening both
Chillicothe end Hillsboro on the north, and
Gallipolis on the south. Daily were we delayed
BY the annoying cry Of "Axes to the feont," O
cry that warned Us of buahWhackers, ambus-
cades and blockaded roads. From the I4.h to
the 18Th every hillside contained an enemy, and
every rsvine blockade Dispirited and worn
down, We reached the river at 3 A. M, on the
18th, at ford above Pomeroy, think called
Portland. At A, two companies we're thrown
across the river, and were instantly opened upon
by the enemy; q scout of three hundred men
were sent down the river half mile, who re-
ported back that they had found small force
behind rife pits, and asked permission of Gen.
| eral Morgan to charge. He assented, and by
he was notified that Col. Smith had successfully
charged the pits, capturing $50 prisoners. Auoth.
or courier arriving about the same time, report
cd that o gunboat had approached near our
battery, and, on being fired upon, had retired
precipitately. y
General M. finding both of these reports cor
rect, and believing that he had sufficient time
to cross the command, was using every exertion
70 accomplish the task, when simultaneously,
could be heard the discharge Of artillery from
down. the river, q heavy drumming sound Of
small afms In the rear and right; from the banks
OF the river, came up three black columns Of
infantry, firing upon our men, who we're in cose
column, preparing to cross. Seeing that the
enemy had every advantage of position, an
overwhelming force of infantry and cavalry, and
that We were becoming completely envlroned
In the meshes Of the net set for US, the COM
maud was ordered to move up the river double
quick. The gallant field, staff and'lin officers
acted with decision and promptitude, and The
command was moved rapidly off the field, leav-
ing three companies of dIsmounted men, and
perhaps 200 sick and wounded men, in the ene-
my's possession. Our artillery was doubtless
captured at the river, as two horses had been
killed 10 one place, and one in each of two
others, and the mountain path, from which we
/ m nj nm " urn tnp ofp 20
them over. Two Lieutenants and FIVE privates
were known 20 have been killed on our side.
After leaving the river, al Portland, the com.
niand was marched to BellevilIe, some fourteen
miles, and commenced fording, or rather swim.
ming, ct that point. Three hundred and thirty
men had effected crossing, when again tho
enemy's gunboats we're upon us-one iron.clad
and two transports. Again We moved up the
river. The % brigade, commanded by Colonel
Adam johnson, was ordered to cross, guides
having represented the stream as fordable. In
dashed the Colonel, closely followed by Lieut..
|Woodson, Capts Psine, of Texas, young Rogers
/ Of Texas, Capt. McClsin, A, G. s., I'd brigade,
and myself. The Colonel,s noble mare falters,
strikes out again, and boldly makes the shore,
Woodson follows. My poor mare, being too
weak 70 carry me, turned over aud commenced
going down; enGumbered by my clothes, sabet
and pistolsr IL made bnt poor progress In the
turbid stream, but the recolleclions OF home, Of
bright-eyed the sunny South, tho
pressing peed of soldiers. and an inherent love
| Of life, actusted me to continue swimmings-1
Behiid me heard the piercing call of yonps
Rogers for help; on my risshs, Capt. Helm Aab
IappealingJ Jtoams for aid; and 10 the Ieir, my
friend Capt McClain was shaking. Gradually
the gunboat was4earing me- Should be able
90 held up until 10 came; and would then be
saved TO again undergo she horrors Of Federal
bastiIef Bat l hear something behind me
snofting i teel II passing! Thank God am
saved! A RIderless horse dashes by; grasp his
tail; onward he bears me, d the shore 10
reached. Colonel Johnson, on reaching the
shore, seizss upon q ten.inoh piece oil board,
jumps into leaky skiff, and starts back TO aid
the dioWning. He reaches Captain Helm, but
Captain McClain and young Rogers are gone.---
Yes, Captain McClain, the true gentleman,
fAi.hfuI4 colder, aud pleasant companion, has
been buried in the depths OF the Ohio. We
sadly miss him at quarters, and In the field.
1 His genial smile and merry laughter will no
lOuger ring upon the ear. But from his manly
piety and goodness Of heart, che angels OF Heav.
on will never mark him On absentee. May the
memory of bis many virtues serve 40 beacon.
light 10 guido Ms al TO thesame heavenly abode
where he is now stationed pf idw 10 rsa
n Two men were drowned In the crossing. The
gunboata emitting M of again, General Morgan
ALL -. rr-~.uA a. f-aA