Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1863-08-05
Correspondence.
STEAMER SCioTo. GALLIPoLIs. q
s,lx- pgI 1890

EHf. Chrgsi-3e-Thinking that wor,
from Southern Ohio might be imterestin
to your readers at this time ! give you
brief description of what have seen ant
heard of this Morgan war.
At the time that Morgan crossed the
river into Indiana, we were running be
tween Gin, and Big Sandy ll5O miles
abOge.j We arrived at Gin, one morn.
ing and heard that Morgan had crossed
the river with 1900 men. We consider.
ed it an idle tale; we did not believe thai
he would venture to cross the Ohio. DARING
horse thief though he is. Time proved
the rumor TO have been correct. But
still nobody thought lie could do us any
harm, we thought the Indiana boys would
soon drive him into Kentucky, in this we
were mistaken.
After Morgan had passed Gin, this
steamer was loaded with commissary
stores and sent after Gen. Judah's COM
mand, consequently we had an opportu-
nifty Of seeing the effect of Morgan's raid
upon the people along the border; and
here let me say that there was more ex-
element manifested at Cincinnati than
at any town above. Ohio people along
the Kentucky and Virginia border have
became somewhat accustomed to these
raids, especially along the latter, the no
torious Jenkins, having frequently dis
tnrbed them, in their peaceful avocations.
In no town that have been in along the
border, have | seen less excitement. and
more GOODNESS and good sense displayed.
than at Gallipolis Captain Hunter the
commander Of the post has the bearin.
of gentleman and true soldier, his de
tense of so important a military post
thought quite insufficient 1t consists of
900 soldiers including nearly one hun
dred convalescants, and about lGO0 mil
::ia. Here J found great many acquain-
tances from your county in the -Trum-
bull Guards" 4 good many of the boys.
former scholars OF mine, and it was a
treat both to them and to myself to meet
after separation of four years. The
''guards' are 4 fine company and would
have welcomed Morgan with vengance.
Capt. C. W. Smith OF your place. con-
slider model soldier
1t was thought by nearly all here that
Morgan would attempt the capture of
this post; but he was wise, leaving CALI
polls fifteen or sixteen miles to the south,
he passed on to Burlington Island, where
he attempted TO cross the river: there he
was met by one Of our gunboats. and
but not until some 900 Of
his men had succeeded in crossing the
river The eunboat delayed him some
time, and General Judah who had been
close upon him, since he crossed the Ohio
now come up, and for the first time du- |
ring a chase Of over 500 miles the noto-
rious horse hief was obliged 10 meet ou1,
brave boys in battle. The contest was of
short duration, the rebels were thrown in
10 confusion almost at the first fire, and
had there been good generalship display
I'd by Judah, Morgan's entire force with
the exception of what had escaped across
he river would have been captured, but
/ gap was left open and the que7riHa with |
lbout lj0O men escaped. Ia this fight
We lost several in killed and wounded, |
lmong whom was Mai. McCool, noble
patriot and a brave soldier.
Escaping from our forces, Morgan pro-
,eeded down the river, at distance of
bout or miles from it toward this |
,lace, until he came to road leading in
o the river at mile Island, at little
own called Cheshire, he took this road,
rriVing at the river soon after, he march
ID his men TO the waters edge, intending
o cross at all hazards. But luckily Just at
his moment to Steamer Condor from
lbove, and our Steamer from below APP
oeared in sight. lie asked a citizen
Who stood near, what Boats these were
The man after taking good look at them
IS if to satisfy himself in regard to them,
'eplled 81 reckon they are Gun Boats"
The man reports that this was hard
blow on Morgan, he ordered his men up
he bank behind the houses, and pulling
'tf his hat and throwing it on the ground
le said Damn the Yankees; / can't go
% the river at no place but what five or
iix Of their damned Gun Boats are watch
ng me-"
By this time we were up to the edge
IF the town, and were not aware that
here was a rebel within fifty miles. and
would not have known it until it was too
ate had it not been for a citizen who ran
lown the river bank and gave us the
Ilarm. We Immediately reversed the en-
zines and commenced backing, but the
Wind was blowing perfect hurricane up
tream and we made slow progress, at
east it seemed so to us, and we tried to
urn around, but could not owing to the
Wind. Finally we landed the boat on the
Yrginia side of the river and two Of US