The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1863-08-07
How Morgan Got Three Hun
dred Horses.

John Morgan is said to be as good at
playing joke sometimes as he is at
horse stealing, and the following Incl.
dent related by the Louisville Demo-
crat shows that on arecent occasion he
did a good deal Of both at the same
time. The story is rich, whether true
or not:
During his celebrated raid through
Indiana, John Morgan, with about
three hundred and fifty guerrillas, took
occasion to pay visit to little town
hard by, while the main body were
marching on Dashing suddenly into
the little burg he found about three
hundred Home Guards, each having
a good horse tied to the fence-the men
standing about in groups, awaiting or.
ders from their aged captain, who looked
as if he had seen the shady side Of sixty
years. The 'Hoosier boys looked al
the men with astonishment, while the
captain went up to one of the party, and
asked:
Whose company is this?'
'Wolford's cavalry said the reb.
What! Kentucky boys! We're glad
to see you. boys. Whar's WalfordY
There he sits, Said,' ragged, rough
reb, pointing to Morgan, who was
sitting sideways upon his horse.
The Captain walked up to Walford
(as he and all thought) and saluted him
Captain, how are your
Bully! How are you? What are you
going to do with these men and horses?
Morgan looked about.
We'll, you see that id horse.
thieviug John Morgan is in this part o
the country with parcel of cut-throat
and thieves, and between you and l, i
he comes up this way, Captain, well
give him the best we've got in the shop.
Hes hard to catch, we've been afte1
him for fourteen days and can't Sc,
him at all, said Morgan, coed humored
ly.
If our horses would stand fire wei
be all right
Won't they stand?
NO, Captain Walford, 'spose Will
you're restin' you and your company pu
your saddles on our horses and go thro
a little evolution or two, by way of {
lesson to our boys? Pam told you're
hoss on the drill, and the only man Nor
gan is afraid of.
Walford Gas it were) alighted and or
dered his boys to dismount, as he want
ed to show the Hoosier boys how t.
give Morgan warm reception, shoult
he chance to pay them a visit. Thi
delighted the Hoosier boys, so they wen
to work and assisted the men to tie thei
old, nearly worn.ont bones to the fence
and place their saddles on the backs c
their fresh horses, which was soon done
and the men werein their saddles, draw
up in line and ready for the word. Th
boys were highly elated at the idea G
having their pet horses trained for then
by Walford and his men, and more so t.
think that they would stand fire ever Of
terwards.
The old Captain advanced, and walk
ing up to Walford Gas be thought) said
Captain are you all right now?' Wal
ford rode up one side of the column an
down the other, when he moved to th
front, took of his hat, passe dand said:
Now Captain, l am ready; if you an
your gallant men wish to witness an ev
olution which you perhaps have neve
seen, and all was as silent as a maiden
sigh.
Are You ready?'
All right, Walford, shouted the Cap
tain.
'Forwardr shouted Morgan, as th
whole column rushed through the crow
with huzzas of every one present-som
leading a horse or two as they wen
leaving their frail tenements of hors
flesh hitched to the fences, to be provide
. for the citizens. Itsoon become whispere
by about that it was John Morgan aud h
gang, and there is not man in tn
town who will own up that he was gull
ed out of q horse. The company di'
banded that night, though the captai
: holds the horses as prisoners of war an
waits an exchange.