Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-08-03

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ELDER HARKNESS, h BINGHAM.
The John Morgan Kaid--The Bung.
ling GeneraishIp that Permitted 1t.
Governor MORTON. General BURNSIDE and Gen
eral BOYLE are most fulsomely fattered by the
Republican press for their astonishing energy and
sagacity, and for the great ability they exhibit
in the discharge Of the public trusts con6ded TO
them. Perhaps these compliments are all de-
served, but the recent raid of MORGAN lets them
down from the giddy hight they have been soar
ing in the estimation of their Republican admir-
ers. The most remarkable assurance of all is the
attempt by the Republican press to make capital
for these distinguished gentlemen by CIV
ing them great credit for capturing a
large portion Of Morgan's command, and per-
haps they may succeed in getting the most of
them. For what wonderful exploits are they
thus complimented? MORGAN with 4.600 men
passed through Kentucky, crossed the Ohio river
at Brandenburg, and swept over the most popu
lous districts of one half Of Indiana and Ohio,
uninterrupted. destroying public property and
robbing the people of whatever they wanted. Is
it not strange that MoReAS's movements were
not known in Kentucky, when Federal troops are
garrisoned or posted all over that Statef The
military authorities of Indiana and Ohio were
promptly advised Of MoRGAN's entrance into this
State and they were daily informed of his pro-
gress-a large cavalry force following
him only few hours in his rear-ffty Thousand
troops in Indiana and as many more in Ohio
Ill. Il a.
graph facilities, railroad transportation and
interrupted steamboat navigation the Ohio
river, his movements we're not even checked until
he had traversed one half of the latter State.
With proper management he might have been
stopped before reaching the Lawrenceburg rail
road, but what excuse can be offered by the mill
tary authorities for not intercepting him at that
point7 Two or three thousand men. with bat
tery Of artillery, could certainly have held
him few hours. until HoBsoSs cavalry
had time to come up with him. But after
passing that point, what possible apology for
permitting him to cross the Little Miami railroad?
He approached to within eight miles of Cincin-
natl. yet with a full knowledge of MoReAN's
movements, and railroad facilities to throw any
number Of troops upon his track Gen. BURNSIDE
permitted the freebooter and horse thief to con-
tinue his devastations. We cannot divine any
reason for his doing unless to let the people Of
Ohio see and feel some of the evils of war. And
when MoReAS was driven into tine very trap that
was set for him. are told. from which il was
said none Of his band could possibly escape, three
or four hundred succeeded in crossing into Ken
lucky. and MORGAN himself, with some thousand
of his mtn, got away, and according to last ac-
counts be still continuing bis depredations.
A correspondent, writing from Louisville,
gives the following additional facts in reference
TO the movements of the military authorities while
MORGAN was in Indiana. He says:
Morgan at the time he crossed the Ohio river
at Brandenburg, had under bis command but
800 men and four pieces Of artillery, and this
force was composed chiefly of Kentuckiaas; and,
with this small body, he has been permitted to
travel through the States Of Kentucky, Indiana
and Ohio, without encounteriDg any opposition of
serious character. IL seems to me, judging
from the results, that it was the object of our
military men 70 be after Morgan and not to catch
him. To show some Of the blunders of the mil
itary men commanding this district. will give
few facts. that your numerous readers may see
intercepted.
At the time Morgan moved from Salem. IL was
we'll known in military circles both here and at
New Albany, that he going to Vienna, a
station on the Jacksonville Railroad. At that
time there was a sufficient force the Jefferson
vile Railroad near this place and also Mt Indiana
polls. to intercept him aud make him retrace his
steps. 30 that he would have TO encounter Hob
sons forces, which were sufficient TO have de
feated him; yet these forces (although their
uua~h hnH fol nat aIlnu uv.<l n.
move until after Morgan had passed through
Vienna. They we're then ordered to proceed
cautiously, and. when reaching that place, they
learned that Morgan had started, going north
east, some ten hours before they came up.
Another point where Morgan might have been
intercepted was between Vienna and Lawrence.
burg, If an effort bad been made; but, while he
was moving around that portion Of country, all
our forces that could have been used to cut of
bis progress we're ordered 10 Cincinnati for the
protection Of that city against 5000 men.
The night after Morgan left Vernon. General
Manson, with 5000 picked men, arrived at Mad
isOn. lndiana-the time when it was reported that
Morgan was moving on that place-and found II
almost deserted not light to be seen, nor any
stir in the streets. Gen. Manson stepped on the
shore. and. after walking around for some time.
stumbled upon a stranger, when the following
dialogDs ensued:
General Manson--Who is commander Of this
postf
Stranger-Gen. Crittendep, Of Indiana.
GeneraI-Where are bis headquartersf
Strznger--He has none 3cf
General-Where can be be found7
Strsnger-At ms hotel.
General--Where IS his hotel? ass
The directions given, and the Genera
Immediately started for the hotel TO have an in
terview With Crittenden. Upon arriving at tb'
hotel, be encountered an lrishman. who was OF
the watch. Of whom he inquired, Where Is Gen
eral Cr:ttenden2
IrishnaE-0one 70 bed -. st.-.l & .....s