Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-07-06
Col. RatIi6 and the 10Th Ohio
Cavalry.

Col. RafliG and the I2th Ohio
Cavalry.
The following which we extract from
the Cincinnati Gazette of the 22d inst,
will be of interest to the friends of Col.
Ratlif and the 18th Ohio Cavalry.
Gen. Burbridge, some weeks ago, start
ed on an expedition into Southwestern
Virginia. His objective point was the
Salines, where were encamped about
1000 rebels. He moved up Sandy Valley
to the mouth of Beaver, where he was
compelled to await supplies. Col. J. NJ.
Brown was ordered forward with his brig
ade to reconnoiter. He went to Pound
Gap, and moved out into Virginia, skirm-
ishing with the rebels several miles, when
he found that the rebels were in ambush
in superior force, and were attempting to
draw him into the snug trap set for him.
He then fell back TO the Gap, to avoid
being cut off by the hanking movements
of the rebels, and from the Gap fell back
to Beaver; and John Morgan followed to
the Gap, and, as soon as Brown left it,
passed through it, taking the direct road
to Mt. Sterling.
Col. Brown was Immediately ordered
in pursuit, and followed close behind
Morgan, picking up stragglers. Morgan's
force consisted of about 2, 900 cavalry and
700 infantry, without any artillery. His
infantry and one brigade of cavalry, halt
ed at Mt. Sterling, while the other brig
ade of cavalry, under Howard Smith,
passed on toward Lexington, stealing
horses and robbing citizens. At Mt. Ster-
ling they robbed the bank of about $780,
600, gutted the stores and stole all the
horses in the region roundabout. Gen.
Burbridge attacked them on Thursday
morning. He captured their rear picket,
about 25 strong, at Ticktown, and moved
up on the main body, completely sur
prising them, The inside picket were
shot down, all of them (about thirty be-
ing killed; and Col. Brown, who was in
the advance, pushed right through the
camp of the infantry, shooting them be-
fore they had finished their morning nap,
and attacked the brigade of cavalry un-
der Griffith. Hanson's brigade coming up
Joined in the attack, and the little battle
became fierce and bloody. Hanson push
ed his artillery too far forward, and the
rebels charged and captured it. But be-
fore they could move it off, a squadron of
the 18th Ohio Cavalry charged upon the
rebels and recaptured the pieces. The
rebels, though fighting very bravely, could
not stand the close pressing and murder
ing fire of our men, and soon broke and
fled. OF the 700 infantry, scarcely so es-
capped. Over 200 were killed, about $50
were wounded, and about the same num-
Der captured in this little battle. Morgan
was not in command. He was at Win
chester, threatening Lexington. Hearing
of the rout of his men at Mt. Sterling,
he moved on Lexington Thursday night,
and commenced skirmishing with the
small force under Col. Cooper, of the 4th
Kentucky Cavalry. Gen. Burbridge's
force was so exhausted by their previous
hard service and hard fighting, that he
was compelled to halt in Mt. Sterling un-
til Friday morning. This gave Morgan
time to attack Lexington. 1t was defend
ed by about 300 green troops. Morgan
about u o'clock Thursday night made the
attack. He fired seven buildings on the
edge of the town and commenced his at
tack by the light they afforded. Colonels
Cooper and Shackelford, with about one
hundred men, kept his force, about 100
strong, at bay for near two hours, and
then fell back to Fort Clay. The rebels
entered with yell, and rushed to Main
street and commenced their work of pill
lage. Hats, boots and shoes, clothing,
saddles and brides, jewelry and hardware
stores, were soon bursted open and their
contents stolen. The Branch Bank of
of Kentucky was robbed of $4,000, part
in gold and silver, and part in greenbacks.
The Northern Bank keys were demand
ed, but through the luck and coolness Of
Mr.. Cristie, one of the officials, they were
kept out of their possession. Just as soon
as it was light single piece of artillery
was stationed at the west end of Main
street, and the second shot from it cleared
the business portion of the town. Fort
Clay shelled them vigorously wherever
they made their appearance, and saved
from destruction about sixty cars belong
ing to the CoVington & Lexington Rail
aoad. By 7 A. NJ. the rebels were all gone
toward Georgetown. About $50 shells
were fred at them, but we have yet to
learn of the first rebel being hit. The
fight at Lexington was bloodless one, no
man on either side being killed. Several
citizens were wounded, some by the reb-
els some by our men, but none very dan
gerously. The heaviest losers by the rob
bers were J. G.. Haws, $4,000; H. & ]. P.
Shaw, 81 200; Bassett i Emmal, $1,000;
Loenhart, 81, 800; Kastle, ]. S. Edge and
VIM. Rule, all shoe stores, who lost stock
ranging from $3.50 to $500 each. Harting's
iewelry store was also robbed. Most of
the money taken from the Branch Bank
was special deposits, Mr.. Prunket being
| the heaviest loser. Citizens were robbed
of their pocket books and watches, and
horses suffered terribly; over 100 were ta-
ken from F. T. Hord's stable. John NJ.
Clay and VIM. McCraken lost their fine
| trotting and racing stock. But it is use
/ less to attempt to name all those who
have lost horses; their name is legion
Everywhere they went they stole horses,
| from friend and foe.
Gen. Burbridge, with his command,
reached Lexington about noon Friday,
and hastily remounting portion of his
forces, started in pursuit. He came up
on Morgan Sunday morning, at Cynthiana,
drawn up in line of battle and awaiting
him. Burbridge Immediately attacked
him, and in 55 minutes had Morgan's
command routed and flying in every di-
rection. Morgan's loss here was about
500. His force was divided into half q
dozen parts, each part taking care of it.
self. The main force fed toward Angus
ia, under Morgan himself, which was pur-
sued by Col. Hanson, again attacked and
routed and again losing several hundred
prisoners The whole country is full OF
the disorganized and fleeing rebels, and
they are being picked up all over the
country. Thus has ended Morgan's last
raid. He came into the State with about
400 men. He robbed and plundered on
all sides. He was pursued and whipped
badly three times in six days, and will
lose 1000 of his men. Morgan has blum
dered in every move he has made.
General Burbridge and his command
have shown conspicuous skill and gallant
ry in this whole campaign. The General
has proved his title to an independent
command, and Colonels Brown, Hanson
and Ratliff, have ably seconded him in all
his movements. The men have endured
privations and fought the enemy like he.