Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1863-07-30
JOHN MoRGAN's RIDE.

JOHN MoRGAN's RIDE.
This accomplished borse-thief has
had q most wonderful ride the past
twenty-five days. The 6sld extended
from the Cumberland river, through q
portion Of Kentucky. Indiana and
Ohio, and was holly contested by the
mounted forces under command Of Gems.
Hobson and Judah. John swan the
Cumberland river on the ed Of July,
captured Burksville, KY; attacked q
weak garrison Of Federsl troops at
Columbia; ON the 4th, demanded the
surrender Of the stockade at Green
river bridge, and wss answered by the
Federal commander that he would not
surrender on the 4th Of July. John
planted two pieces of artillery snd
opened on the stockade without any
perceptible effect. He then ordered
two regiments of bis command, John
sons and Chenault's, to move on the
stocksde. and they we're repulsed with
heavy loss, losing Col. Cbensult
killed, and $50 men killed and woun-
ded. After this taste of Federal pluck
John resumed his ride down the river,
IN direction of Lebanon, KY, which
place be shelled for two hours, burning
the depot and quite a number OF pri-
vste dwellings. In this skirmish, sew
ersl of Morgan's men were tilted
from their saddles-amoDg them Lieut..
Morgan. (John's thieving brother)
Capts. Gardner aud Frarks, and about
rs racers killed and wounded, inclu-
ding Major Jack Canter. From Leba-
NON John resumed his ride towards
Brandensburg, where he captured
three steamers and crossed the Ohio
river into Indiana, 4.5oo strong. Gen.
Hobson Just in bis rear. Captured
the Indiana Home Guards and lost two
men wounded; destroyed the railroad
track that runs through Corydon TO
Salem, burnt the Corydon depot,
and resumed his ride to Salem, where
be captured and parolled the Home
Guards, tore up the railroad track,
burnt the depot, and rode in the direc.
tion Of Vernon, destroying railroad,
bridges, depots. de-, thence in dirsc.
ton of Harrison, with the same de.
structior, burning the Whitewater
bridge and depot, crossed the Miami
river, destroying the bridge after him.
10 cut off pursuit by HObson. His
track now seemed clear through the
counties of Butler, Hamilton. Cler-
mont, Brown, Highland, Pike and
jackson, Ohio. He burnt the brid ge
over the Scioto at Piketon, and de-
stroyed all the bridges over small
streams. From Piketon be rode to
Jackson G. H., captured the place.
burning depot, car, and destroying the
track. John divided his forces al
jackson, one going towards Hamden,
Vinton county, and the other towards
Centrevills, in Gallia county. Hearing
that General Judah was at the latter
place ready to receive him, John
struck off to the left in the direction OF
Finton, found the road blockaded and
had to detail men to cut the trees
away, which enabled Hobson and Ju.
6ah to come up on bis rear. Johns
forces united at some point above Vim.
ton and made for Racine with the In.
tention Of crossing the Ohio river, but
found portion Of the Gallis Militia
drawn up. ana be was turned off in the
direction Of Chester, in Meigs county,
where be again encountered the id
militia, as he called them, had skir.
mish, and then resumed bis ride
towards Bufiugton's island; had 6ght
there. lost all his artillery. 20s killed,
700 prisoners, and number wounded
Among the captured prisoners were
Coils. Morgan. Duke. Ward, johnson.
and Hoffman. John then with the
remnant of his forces rode for Chesh-
ire, IN Galiia county, with the intention
Of crossing at Eight Mile Island; be
reached the point, bat the did militia
were again mHspstf:-whsa arunnipp
Sight sDsisd. rssulting in the cspture
.ef l.09o. .horsethisyess
John again managed to slip out with
sbeut 600, of his thieving followers
and resumed his ride up Campaign
creek. bigsnacked that night in Porter
EN- this eossay. and at early dawn wa,