The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-07-28
CONFEDERATE TROOPS IN INDIANA
Gen. John II. Morgan's Movements.
NORTHERN ACCOUNT.

/ NORTHERN ACCOUNT.
/ From the Cincinnati Gazette of July 9th.
Our dispatches from Louisville announced the
capture of the steamers u. T. McCoombs and
Alice Dean, at Brandenburg, on Wednesday
morning, by Morgan's forces. We give the follow
ing particulars of the capture of the steamers and
the movements of Morgan in the State of Indiana.
!. Five gentlemen who were passengers on board
the steamer j. L. McCoombs when she was captured
by the rebels at Brandenburg, arrived in this
city, having come direct from the captured town,
and favor us with the following detail of events up
to the time of their departure: * a
This steamer stopped at o'clock on Tuesday
afternoon, as they came up the river, at Branden-
ourg, for the purpose of putting off and taking on
passengers and freight There was nothing un-
usual about the appearance of the place; so that,
drew up to the wharf boat. The instant the boat
touched thirty or forty Confederate soldiers. who
had been concealed on the wharf boat iuio,ed on
board, and took possession of the boat the eaptan
and crew being ,unarmed and consequently power
less to offer any resistance. There were some fortv
or fifty passengers on the boat, and they were
ordered on shore and secured, while the engineers
and pilots were kept on board, guard being placed
over them to see that they obeyed every order
given by the Rebel captain in command The
boat laid to at the wharf-boat, and in short time
the stenmer Alice Dean, the pride of all Cincinnati
river men, and the finest boat now running in the
Memphis trade, came gracefully rounding the bend
OF the river. 1t was soon evident that the Dean
intended making no stoppage at Brandenburg, so
| the McCoombs was headed out just in time to
touch her bows, when the rebels, who were still
| concealed on the McCoombs, jumped on board the
Dean; and effected the capture of that boat also
The passengers then liberated, with instruc-
tons that they were not to leave the town. around
which pickets had been posted to give warning of
any approach as we'll as to prevent the departure
of those in the place.
! Our informants made use of their time and the
| liberty which had been granted them in inspect
| ing the Rebel army and its equipments. They
| estimate the number of Rebels under Morgan,
their estimation being grounded their own per-
sona observation, at from six to seven thousand
men, while at the time it may possibly be ten
thousand; but they believe their own calculation
to be the moro correct. The men were all in ex-
celent condition, and we're accompanied by bat
| tery of eight 64 FOUNDER steel rifed guhs The
news Of the capture having reached across the |
| river, company Of Home Guards from Indiana, |
numbering about forty-fve men, marched down to |
the river the next morning with 6-pounder gun
and commenced firing across the river into the |
rebel encampment; but Morgan sent a party of
men TO cross over the river some way down the |
stream, and these, by making a considerable de-
tour, succeeded in coming unawares on the Home |
Guards in their rear, killing four of them and
gan commenced transporting his men to the In
diana side, using the two captured boats for that
purpose.
The Rebels in Brandenhurg were very free in |
their conversations with the inhabitants. One |
Rebel Captain stated, without the least reserve,
that the real object which they had in view was
to cut the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad so as to
cut off direct communication between Cairo and |
Louisville and Cincinnati, and this only pre-
cautionary measure for other and more important
military movements. They seem to anticipate
glorious time in Indiana, expressing the intention
Of burning and destroying everything that lies in |
the line of their march, irrespective Of party or
creed. Brandenburg is little town, situated high |
up on the crest of hill. The majority of the in
habitants are said to be strongly secesh, while
there are, at the same time, some few who are and
have always been, strongly loyal men. Of these
the most influential, perhaps, is Mr Ashcroft, pro-
prietor of the Ashcroft House and Of the wharf
boat, and in addition holds the position Of enroll
ing officer under the CONSUMPTION act.
The latter circumstance has rendered him |
peculiarly obnoxious to the Secesh inhabitants and
the arrival of their Southern friends gave them
the idea that now was the time for them to rid
themselves of the presence Of man they hated. |
Hastily collecting crowd together they went to
his house to take him out and hang him. He,
however, hid away between the ceiling aud the
roof of his house until the search had been
abandoned and then, with the help of friend, |
unfortunately Secessionist,) succeeded in effect
ing his escape.
AT a late hour last night shown
despatch received by Captain Dean, of this city, |
stating that his boat, the Alice Dean, had been
burned by the rebels that morning at o'clock. |
Morgan stated that his intention was to reach
Indianapolis last evening, and burn the town; but
the impression prevails at Louisville that Morgans
purposes in invading Indiana is TO destroy ihe
Federal stores at Jeffersonville while others be-
eve his object is to obtain horses and recruits in
Southern Indiana.
Capture Of Mr.. Crittendea by The ReJcls.-The
New Albany (Ind.) Ledger of July 9th seys that
gentleman engaged in recruiting Union COM
pany at Frankfort reached Madison Yesterday |
He reports that three> hundred rebels entered
Frankfort yesterday and seized the person of Hon.
John j. Crttenden. We have not heard what
disposition they made Of him.
INDIANoPoLIs, July 10-The rebels captured /
Salem, Indiana, this morning, burned the depot Of
the Louisville and Chicago Railroad, and took 500
of the guards prisoners. No particulars OF the
fight have been received A prisoner who escaped
reached Seymour this evening
When last heard from the rebels were at Can /
ton. The Home Guards were retardiDg the pro-
eress of the rebels by telling trees and bush,
wbacking. Gov. Morton has issued q general
order, suspending all business till further orders
-IND1ANoPoLIs, July 11.-Morgan's force