The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-08-05
gorta9e Gu, Democrat.
RAvEAMA, OHIO.
Wednesday,, ..........-.Augu.t S. 1868
FROM THE aD OHIO CAVALRY.
Cheshire ON THE OHIO R1vER,)
July 21st, 1863.

r..
Cheshire ON THE OHIO R1vER)
July 21st 1868.
Editor Democrat:
Should have written you several times
since my last letter, had time and opportunity
permitted. On the 9th of June the 1st
Cavalry Brigade 4th Division, Army of Gen.
trail Kentucky, left its camp at Somerset, XIV,
in pursuit Of that notorious raider, John Nor
gan, since which we have written few letters
and received none. I shall not in this at
tempt 10 give youa detailed account of JobE's
doings since he crossed the Cumberland Riv-
er on the I'd and Sd insts. 1t would cover
many pages of foolscap and occupy more
time than can command at present. 1t was
known by our Department commander, that
force was gathering in Tennessee to be led by
John Morgan on an expedition into Central
Kentucky. At what point on the Cumber-
land he would attempt crossing was uncer-
tain, and such a disposition of forces was
made as would afford the best protection to
government property, and if possible, repel
the marauding chief and his band at the out
set. With his usual good fortune Morgan
succeeded in eluding all of these forces and
safely crossed the river at and near Berksville.
His career in kentucky you are already ia
miliar with. Driving small detachment out
of Columbia in which was your correspon-
dent, he made for Green River bridge where
he arrived on the 4th of July, and was met
by Col. Moore with his gallant regiment the
25th Michigan, and repulsed. Failing to OBJ
tain possession of the stockade and bridge oc-
cupied by Col. Moore, he passed up the river
and made use of ford reaching Lebanon the
same day. Here he captured 400 men, be-
longing to the 10th Kentucky, burned sever
al private dwellings to avenge. the loss of a
brother killed in taking the place, and left for
Sharpsburg. Our brigade reached Lebanon
on the 9Th about twenty hours after Morgan's
departure and joined large Cavalry force un-
der Gems. Hobson and Shackelford Here the
direct pursuit commenced. We followed
him through Kentucky to the Ohio River,
| striking it at Brandeuberg. Morgan's ad-
vance guard which took possession of the
above place some twelve hours prior to the
main body succeeded in capturing two steam
ers, the Nc Comb and Ahce Dean, and in these
his whole force of 4OOO men and horses, in
Guiding six rifed Parrot guns were ferried TO
the Indiana shore. Gen. Hobson's command
crossed on the evening of the same day July
9th, and the chase continued. In the des-
truction of property Morgan pursued the
same course in Indiana that he did in Ken
lucky, although doing less damage to public
stores and railroads than to Individuals The
The close proximity of our cavalry gave him
little time to spend at any one place. The
depots and railroad bridges along his route
were of course destroyed, and the telegraph
wires cut. In Indiana he ordered three -four
mills to be fired but finally consented to re-
cind the orders upon the payment of stipu-
lated sum. This was accordingly done and
the three miles brought him, in the aggregate,
six thousand dollars. Upon reaching the
Ohio lines he crossed Whitewater at Harrison
burning the bridge after him in order to Grip
pie Gen. Hobson's pursuit we were but
five hours behind. He marched rapidly in
this State taking fresh horses wherever found
duu even udlCeu Two luLerdl pTOCeSSlOuS tud1
he might select the best animals leaving his
own jaded and worn out steeds in their places.
/ 1 hear shoots and saddles'' which is being
blown in our regiment and must speedily
close this letter. Morgan had been but
short time in this State before the militia be-
gan to close around him, and it became neces-
sary to provide himself with some means of
escape. He accordingly made for Pomeroy,
where the river at this season. of the year can
be forded. An unlocked for obstacle awaited
him at this point, The citizens had so block
AIDED the roads with fallen trees that it was an
easy matter for the small force previously sent
there to check his advance. He turned to
the right and struck the river at Portland on
the evening of the 18th. His men being
nearly exhausted lay down for few hours
sleep, little aware that the advanced brigade,
of Gen, Hobson's command, composed of the
I'd and 7th : hio Cavalry, was but few miles
in their rear. At an early hour on the morn
ing of the Goth, Col. Kantz commanding the