Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-08-13
How John Morgan was Taken.

and we sopy from the Cincinnati CONNER
cial an account given by Major hue OF the
9th Kentucky Cavalry;
At midnight on the 23d inst, Major
Rne. commanding detachments of the 9th
and 18th Kentucky and 9Th Michigan all
about 400 men, made up, with the excep
ton of the detachment of the 18th Ken
lucky, of men who had given out in the
mad race after Morgan through Southern
Indiana and Ohio, left this city by cars
for Steubenville. The men had been re-
freshed by rest, and were provided with
fresh horses. Major Rue proceeded under
direct orders from Major Gen. Burnside.
On the evening of the oath, Major Rue's
command arrived at Bellair, and from
thence proceeded to Shanghai. Morgan
was then at Richmond, eleven miles west
of Steubenville, closely pursued by Mai.
Way, It'll Michigan. of Gen. Shackelford's
command. Maj Rue unloaded his men
in two hours and moved forward to Knox
vile, Jefferson county, and On the direct
road Outward to New Lisbon, Colum
biana county. In the meantime Morgan
had moved III a northeast direction, and
taken road which, like that on which
Maj. Rue was moving would lead him to
the same point, New Lisbon. AS sport
ing men say, Msj. Rue had 'the inside
track" Crossing the New Philadelphia
Railroad, through AdamsVille, and other
small post towns in the southern part OF
Columbiana county, Major Rue pushed
rapidly forward, and on Sunday came to a
point within four or five miles of New
Lisbon. At this time Morgan had turned
eastward, and was advancing along what
is known as the Beaver Creek Road,
which would lead him to the river at
Smiths Ferry, which is near the line OF
the State. The road on which Mai Rue
was advancing was nearly at right angles
with that on which Morgan was advanc-
ing. When almost in sight of the road
Maj. Rue saw a cloud of dust ahead, and
knew that Morgan was coming. The
rebels described the Federals almost at
the same moment, and it was race be-
tween them which should first reach the
intersection of the two roads. The Major
tells us he never ID his life felt such glow
OF excitement, and never experienced such
bitter regret as when he saw Morgan pass
the point ahead of him, and thought he
had escaped. The Major WAS accompanied
by faithful guide, however, one who never
tlinched, and knew the country like a book.
1t was ascertained that, by taking a dag
Onal road, there was still a chance TO head
off the bold Kentucky rider. Leaving
thirty men to guard the road at the point
where Morgan had, az he thought, passed
him, Major Rue, with the remainder of
his command, then not more than 800
strong, put spurs to their horses. 1t was.
as the Major describes it, a tremendous
charge. The distance was q mile and
halt. His horses were comparatively fresh,
and Morgan's jaded and worn down. 1t
was more exciting than O steeple-cL ase ::
and this time the Major, in his intense
qualification, struck the Beaver Greek
road "leetle ahead" Some twenty men.
who first reached the coveted point with
Major Rue, formed across the road, and
others coming speedily up. The rebels
saw they Were caught, and checked up.
Major Rue fully expected fight; but
white flag came forward, and with it
demand from Morgan to surrender. Nor
gan thought he was dealing with the mill
tia. Major Rue replied that he couldn't
see it, and that if Morgan did not surren-
der Immediately and Internationally he
would open fire upon him.
A second flag of truce, covering Mai.
Steele, again came forward, and Mai. Rue
was requested not to open fire, as Morgan
had surrendered. The Major supposed
the surrender was made to him, and was
surprised to learn subsequently that Nor
gan had surrendered to q militia Captain,
Barbridge, who was prisoner, or appar,
emily so, without arms or command, and
with the rank and file of M0rgan's own
command. OF course the terms of sur
render-the officers to be paroled, and
field and line officers to retain their side
arms-were not worth fig. When Mai.
Rue advanced, he was met by Morgan,
who quietly said, "You have beat me this
time," and rode with him through the
rebel lines, the men forming on each side
of the road. Morgan expressed gratifca-
ton that he had teen taken by Ken
tuckian. Major Rue declined to decide
what was to be done with the prisoners,
until Gen. ShaCkeltord came up, to whom
he had dispatched couriers. In about
three quarters of an hour Gen. s. arrived
and took charge OF the prisoners. The
surrender took place about two o'clock on
Sunday afternoon. Gen. Morgan present.
ed his fine horse to Major Rue. He had
no sword, and was permitted temporarily
to retain his pistols.
Major Rue is native of Harrodsburg,
Ky. Though he had never seen Morgan
before, they were raised within twenty
five miles OF each other. He Is powerful
man, over six feet in height, with dark
hair and beard, and complexion bronzed
by constant service for twelve months. the
time for which his regiment enlisted. He
looks every inch the soldier. Morgan in
formed him that he was familiar with the
country III Columbiana county, having at
one time resided ia that part of the State,
and now having brother-ln-law living
not tar from New Lisbon. The Major ex-
presses himself more gratifed with hav-
ing played an important part in the cap
ture OF Morgan than he could have been
in the capture OF any other Confederate
General.
The Cleveland Herald relates the follow
ing:
Gen. Brooks, commanding the depart
ment, had gone to Wellsville and estab-
lished his headquarters in the Cleveland
and Pittsburg depot. Finding that there
was a probability that Morgan would
cross the road in the vicinity of Saline
vile, train of cars was sent up the road
about o'clock Sunday morning with a
regiment of six months Pennsylvania in
tantry, under command OF Col. Gallagher.
These were disembarked at Salineyille
and marched to point about two miles