Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1864-06-16
kentucky Invaded.

THE LEXINGTON RAILROAD
CUT.
TRESSEL-WORK AND BRIDGES
DESTROYED.
MT. STERLING AND CYNTHI-
ANA OCCUPIED BY THE
REBELS.
Notwithstanding the rumors current
IN the papers for few days past,
that Morgan was about to enter Ken
tucky with a considerable force. but
few persons believed he would really
venture far in this direction. And
when, yesterday afternoon, the report
came from Cynthiana that AN advance
detachment of rebel soldiers had
made their appearance, and begnn
their destructive work on the Ken
lucky Central railroad, there was
considerable excitement, much run
ming to and fro to hear the news, and
speculation as to whether Morgan
would extend his visit into Ohio =
There was, however, no serious alarm
manifested. for the measures prompt
tly taken to check farther progress
of the raiders; gave assurance of
safety. The facts, so far as we could
obtain them, by passengers that
came down the railroad last evening,
and by telegraph, are as follows:
The first intimation the people of
Cynthiana had Of rebel force near
them, was at s or 9 o'clock yester-
day morning, when messengers came
in from several points, saying that
there were three hundred rebel sol
diers at Owingsville, six hundred at
Sterling, and there was squad OF
thirty at Taltots Station, three miles
north of Paris. AS soon as the train
from Covington arrived, which was
at 10 o'clock, the conductor was
warned of danger in proceeding fur
ther Detaching the locomotive, he
with some others started up the road
on reconnaissance, preceded by a
hand car. When they came within
a short distance of Townsend bridge,
seven miles south of Cynthiana, they
saw the smoke and flames ascending
from the burning of that structure
which with the tressel work is about
300 feet long. They sent out man
to discover what he could in reference
to it, who met several Union soldiers
who had been guarding the bridge.
These soldiers stated that they had
been taken prisoners by a body OF
about 200 rebel troops, all mounted.
After parolling them. the rebels set
fire to the bridge, and then started
in the direction OF Cynthiana. The
hand-car and locomotive immediate
ly returned to Cynthiana. Here
additional information was received,
by the arrival of a gentleman from
the n ighborhood of Paris, who said
there was a squad of about thirty
rebel soldiers at Hibbier's, east of
Paris, taking his horses. Another
gentleman, who came i'm by way of
Rudders Mills, said there were forty
rebels there.
Under his state of affairs, the con-
ductor thought il was time he was
taking the back track, and according
ly at half past II o'clock he started
back, receiving on board number
of citizens who felt that they might
be regarded as special objects of at
tention by the rebels. The funds of
the bank were also brought away.
Shortly after the train left. the
telegraph operator dispatched to
Covington that he could see the
smoke arising from the burning of
the Kimbrough bridge, mile south
of Cynthiana, and that he could hear
the shouts of the approaching rebels
He had on a former similar occasion
been taken prisoner by the rebels,
and he now chose to deeamp in time,
which he did.
Subsequently a dispatch wBs re-
ceived from Boyds Station, the first
this side of Cynthiana, stating Chat
the rebels had taken possession of
Cynthiana.
Citizens who came down from
Cynthiana say that their neighbors
of rebel proclivities, who had taken
the Presidents amnesty oath, includ-
ing some who had been in rebel ser
vice, were rejoicing and shouting
openly at the, to them, gratifying
state of things.
The reports that the Paris bridge
was burned, and that the train down
from Lexington was captured, are
untrue. The train came as far as
Paris and then returned.
In reference to the means that is
being employed to capture or drive
out the invaders, it may not be well
to speak in detail. Luckily Cen
eral Hobson had just arrived from
General Burbridge's command, who
had been seeking to prevent the in
gress of Morgan, and having failed,
he is now on his track in the rear,
and will endeavor to prevent his
egress. General Hobson's mission
this way was to adopt measures to
protect more effectually the Lexing-
ton railroad, but arriving too late
for that, he at once rallied all
the forces within reach, including,
we understand, the 1st and I'd Ken
lucky, just returned home, and as
many of the 9th q 10th Ohio, as could
be got together, and by the time this
Il l. - e..