Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-07-20
MORNING LEADER.
MONDAY HIORNING. JULY 20. Isss.


It has been source of eonside>ble
question as to how Morgan and his force
succeeded in getting across he whole
State of Kentucky without being stopped
by some Of the Federal soldiers scat
tered through it. A diary Of daily
vents, kept by Lieutenant Colonel AlstOn,
organs chief Of staff, who was captured
~ Federal pickets and sent to Camp
Chase, furnishes interesting information
upon this point The journal begins on
the 1st inst, at which time it says the com
mand we're upon the banks of the Cum
bsrland. They crossed on the ID at Bucks
Vile, and had a fight with body Of Fed
erals, in which the journal claims that
the Yankees were driven back with great
loss. On the 81 the column proceeded to
Columbia, where it was met by detachments
of the 45th Ohio, I'd Ohio cavalry and 1st
Kentucky. Several are reported killed
upon both sides. The journal says:
"Our men behaved badly at Columbia,
breaking open a store and plundering it.
I ordered the men to return the goods, and
made all the reparation in my power
These outrages are very disgraceful, and
are usually perpetrated by men accOmpa-
nying the army simply for plunder. They
are not worth d-n, and are a disgrace
to both armies. Passed through Columbia,
and encamped six miles from Green River
Bridge"
On the 4th and 9th the rebels appear to
have been very unfortunate, being gall
Ianty repulsed at New Market upon the
4lh, and losing many men upon the 9Th,
including brother of General Morgan's.
Colonel AlstOn having been captured i'm
mediately after these engagements and
his diary consequently closing as to subse-
quent events, we copy what he says Of the
fighting of these two days:
HJULY 4rH.-New Market, Kentucky.
A day Of gloom, deep gloom, to our entire
command. How many who rose this morn
ing full of enthusiasm and hope, now
sleep the sleep that knows no waking
The sun rose bright and beautiful, the air
was cool and balmy, all nature wore the
appearance Of peace and harmsny. While
riding along, affected by the stiffness Of all
around, Captain Magennis, the Adjutant
General, rode up and remarked how dread
full to reflect that we were marching on to
engage in deadly strife, and how many
poor fellows would pass into eternity be-
fore the setting of yonder sun. I have no
doubt the poor fellow was moved to these
reflections by one Of those unaccountable
presentiments which are so often the har-
bingers Of evil Before dark he was q
cOrpse.l About sunrise we drove in the
enemy's pickets and were soon near the
enemy's Notifications, which had been
erected to prevent our crossing. General
Morgan sent in flag Of truce and de-
manded the surrender, but the Colonel uui-
city remarked 'if it was any other day
he might consider the demand, but the 4th
OF july was bad day to talk about sur
render, spd he must therefore Decline
This Colonef's gallant man, and the en-
tire arrangement Of his defense entities
him 10 the highest sredit for military skill.
We would mark such man in our army
for promotion.
"We attacked the place with two repi-
ments, sending the remainder Of our forbe
across at another ford. The place was in
diciously chosen and skillfully defended,
and the result was that we were repulsed
with severe loss-about tWenty-fve killed
and twenty wounded. Among Une Eili-I.-
as usus5 we're our best men q. o1lcers,
incl~.dng Colonel Cheno-'-, nl9Jor Brent
captain Tribble L9eutenants CoWan, Fer
guson, and another Lieutenant whose
name I do not remember. Our march
thus far has been very fatiguing-bad
roads, little rest OF sleep, little to eat, and
HahF da-~ al L .H
ful, even bu0yant and TO see them press
ing along barefoOted, hurrahing and sing
ing, would cause one TO appreciate what
those who are fighting in just and holy
cause will endure. About three o'clock,
as 1 rode on about forty yards in advance, !
heard the General exclaim something in
a very excited tone, which 1 could not un-
derstand, and heard at the same time the
report Of a pistol. / turned and Great
God to my horror, I saw Captain Magen-
mis- falling from his horse, with the blood
gushing out Of his mouth and breast
His only remarks was let me down easy.' |
In another moment his spirit had fled. /
He was killed by Captain Murphy, be-
cause Msgennis, by the direction Of GEN
eral Morgan, had ordered Murphy to re-
store watch taken from a prisoner. Thus
was the poor fellows language of the
morning dreadfully realized. 1 was ter
ribly affected. I had seen blood flow
freely on many battle-6eld-my friends
had been killed in the morning-but this
caused deeper impression and shock than
any occurrence L ever witnessed. Truly
this has been a sad day. General Morgan
looks hsggard and weary, but he never
despairs. May tomorrow dawn more
bright than to-day closes.
"JULY 5TH.-Another day Of gloom, IA
tigue and death Moved on Lebanon at
sunrise. Placed our men in line. Sent
around Colonel ]. with his brigade to the
DsnVille road to cut off reinforcements.
which we knew were expected from Dam
vile. went in with flag of truce. It
was fired on five times Officer apoloeized.
saying he thought it was a man with a &
white coat on. Very dangerous mistake
at least for me. Demanded unconditionai !
surrender. Told Colonel Hanson we had
his reinforcements cut off, and resistance
was useless. He refused to surrender. and
[ then ordered him to send out the non
as we would be compelled to
she'll the town. He posted his regiment
IN the depot and in various houses, by
which he was enabled 10 make a desperate
resistance. After fight of seven hours,
General Morgan, finding the town could
be taken in no other way, ordered charge
10 be made. This ought to have been done
1t first but General Morgan said, when
It was urged on him, that he wished to
avoid the destruction of private property
Is much as possible, and he would only
permit it as last and final resort. Colo
lel Hanson still held out in hopes Of re-
ieiving reinforoements, and only surren-
lered after we had fired the buildings in
which he was posted. His force consisted
4 the 10th Kentucky, about $40 men, and
70 or Is stragglers from other commands.
By this surrender we obtained a sufb- =
ient quantity Of guns to arm all our men Il
Yhn were Rithnnt them. alan n ....-I:L- U