Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1867-01-05
"reminiscences OF the War...-.
Major General John II. Morgan.
BY II. p. G..

Written for the Sunday Icl"graph'
I gave in the last Sunday Tele-
graph an account of the devot on
of soldiers to their chief. | now
propose to give an instance OF a
Generals devotion to his men. 1t
occurred at small fight at Lebanon,
Tennessee, when 320 Confederates,
commanded by Gen. John FL. Nor,
gan, were surprised at daybreak in
the Spring of 1862, and after a sp.ir-
tied defence put to fight a brig 6
ade of Federal cavalry, under the
command of Colonols Brownlcw
and Stokes. At the time OF which
1 speak, Morgan had just returned
from raid INTO Kentucky, and
taking mp his quarters at Lebanon,
gave furloughs to all of his men,
except the little force we have al
luded to, in order that they might
have an opportunity to recruit their
energies after their long and sue
cessful expedition, and bring back
with them additional numbers to
swell the force. There was a man
named Browning residing in Leba-
non at this period, deSterter from
Dibbrel's regiment, who was i'm
mediately arrested as such by Nor
gan's orders. At this period of the
war desertors from either army
were summarily dealt with, and in
all probability Browning would
have been court martialed and shot
had it not been for the intercession
of some of the officers and men Of
Morgan command. Browning was
released on his promise to immedi-
ately rejoin his regiment.
Instead of doing this, however,
he made the best of his way IN haste
to Gen. .McCook and informed him
that Morgan was then lying at Leb-
anon, had sent nearly all his men
home, and could be easily captured
with the remainder of his men; Of
fering at the same time to act as
guide. and pilot to his rendezvous
any force which might be sent to
capture him. The Federal General
was overioyed at the prospect of so
easily capturing the man who had
been such lorn in his side, and
for so long a time capturing trains,
rear guards, depots, etc, when he
was thought to be miles away.
A brigade of four regiments was
hastily got together, well armed,
we'll mounted, and dispatched to
Lebanon under the guidance of
Browning, McCook instructing Col.
Stokes TO "kill or capture the ID
raider in spite of h-ll."
Ate. Browning was released by
the Confed"rates, Col Basil Duke
seemeL, to be very uneasy in regard
20 his kee ping his faith and promise,
and repeatedly urged Morgan to
move his quarters, which Morgan,
however. did not think necessary,
and 40 the matter rested. The Fed
eral cavalry, under cover ~ the
night. were at this time making
forced marches TO reach Morgan's
camp by day-break, which they
succeeded in effecfing. Col. Duke
bad bcen awake and restless the
whole night, and just before the
dawn of day, had sent a sergeant
w,fh orders to station an additional
n;cket force on the turnpike road.
Hardly had the sergeant and bis
men reached their station, which
was three hundred yards from the
camp. before they were charged by
The advance rsard of the Federals.
who had Just appeared in sight.
Duke heard the firing and the
tramp of the horses, and springing
10 the side Of his sleeping comman-
der. he aroused him with, The
Yankees are upon usl told you
how il would be" Morgan sPrsag
upon his horse just as the e5emy,
followed close upon the heels Of the
sergeant and his guard, entered the
town. He threw fifty men into the
church. and prepared 10 hold the
turnpike with the remainder.
HIS dispositions were scarcely