The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-05-24
nlcIs NI,pann,s Escnne.

A correspondent of the Atlanta C6nfed-
eracy furnishes the following account of
the escape of Morgan and Mccain, from
the Yankees, 10 their late raid upon the
town OF McMinnville:
On Friday morning General Morgan
received information from Major Built,
commanding at Woodbury., that the
Yankees wero moving in heavy force of
cavalry and infantry, on McMinnville.
He immediately sent out scout 20 as
certain the truth OF this, who returned
about IL O'clock, confirming the first ro-
port. Everything was ordered to be
held in readiness for an immediate evac-
ualion ;3i The wagons were loaded and
semitic the rear, and every preparation
made that our facilities Of transporta-
ton would permit Mrs. Morgan was
also sent towards Sparta, when a third
courief arrived, with a disptach from
Major Built, that the enemy had fallen
back.
Not liking 10 eyacuate the place until
the enemy were actually approaching,
the General determined TO send ont an
other scout. In few moments a oOu-
rier from this scout returned, stating that
town, aud approaching rapidly. His
message was scarcely delivered before
Tremendous yell was heard, and upward
of five hundred Yankee cavalry with
drawn sAbfes, were seen dashing up the
main street. They got within 20 feet of
Gen. Morgan and the officers who accom-
panied him, before they were aware oft
and commenced hacking one of them
over the head, Gen. Morgan drew his
pistol and killed The foremost Of his pur-
surers and then fled. Having a good
horse, he succeeded ia making his es-
cape, but Lieutenant Colonel Martin, of
JohnsOn's regiment was shot through
the lungs aud seriously wounded, and
Major Dick MoCann was struck from his
horEN By q eabre, and badly wounded
also.
Major McOann aoled with great gal
lantry, and TO his presence of mind GEN
eral Morgan is indebted for his escape.
Major McOann has since made his os-
cape, and arrived at this place TO day,
all covered with blood, but as gay and
cheerful az usual He says the csuse of
his being captured was that ho feared
the Yankees would not only oyertake the
General, but also the ambulance which
contained Mrs. Morgan and Mrs. Mo
Cann, and be accordingly ordered them
10 halt saying at the same time, "you
have captured the great chief at least"
They at once halted, and when they
found out that be had deceived them, al
though he was already badly hurt, they
struck him another severe blow in the
mouth. Capt. Vail, who bad been once
the prisoner OF Major MoOann, recognize.
cd him al once, and caused him to DO |
treated properly.
he was placed under a strong guard |
and carried out about three miles from |
town, with the rest Of our prisoners. He
determined 20 elect his escape. and. ma
king himself as agreeable as possibls
he soon ingratiated himself with MS
guard, aud plying the whieky pretty
freely, he had them all Ia q very sonpo-
lent condition before twelve O'clock. lie
was confined 10 ap old stable, ana he &C.
cordingly due n hole under the stills,
large enough 10 admit bis passage out
and, crawling on his hands and knees
for upward OF three miles, he eluded the
vigilance Of The guards, and, passing
through three brlgades Of cavalry and
infantry, he reached the river aud swan
70 the other side, Notwithstanding hts
great exhaustion from the loss Of blood |