Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1875-11-27

The Circumstances Attending His
Death, as Related by an Old Sol
dier.

Deatu, aS IScIaIeu ~ "h vi" o"'
dier.
(Communication in the Atlanta Herald, 3d.J
In the editorial Of the Herald,
noticing canard which appeared in
some Western paper relating to the
death Of Gen. John H. Morgan, your
writer was led into some important |
errors as TO the agent who procured,
and the circumstances attending the
murder-for murder it was most foul
of this gallant Confederate chleftaln.
Will you allow me space to furnish
your readers with a correct version OF
The matter, especially as Gen. Gillian
in his official report, and subsequent
letter given to the public. baS seen
proper to depart as far from the Truth
as your writer is mistaken in the facts
TIE writer unwittingly does injustice
to those who will feel it keenly. The
writer said he belonged TO Morgon's
command, but evidently be could not
have been present at the tragedy.
THE FACT OF THE CASE.
The only surviving daughter OF
Mrs DR.. Williams is the relict Of Hon.
W. II. Sneed, who was a member OF
Congress before the war from the
Knoxville, Tenn, district, and who,
during the war, served in the Con-
federate Congress. Mrs. Sneed, at
the time of Morgan's death, was
physically, morally, and mentally
incapable of such an act of turpitude
as is ascribed to her, She was not
at the time of the occurrence in or
near the town of Greenville, and above
all, she was as true to our cause as
was JEFF. Davis.
Now as to the facts. After Morgan's
return from Kentucky, in 1864, be
passed from Abingdon, Va, into East
Tennessee, sending on the march 9
portion of his forces to Taylorsville
Jobnson county, which detachment
! afterwards reunited with the mail
b body at or near Carter's station OF
h the East Tennessee and Virgins
railroad. From thence he moved Of
Greenville to drive out Gen. Gillen
!: who was strongly fortified at Bull
u Gap, eighteen miles distant. Iii
y plan to dislodge Gillem from h
}, stronghold was to turn bis left rea
d cut his communications with Kno.
e vile, and then attack in front wit
i forces moving from towards Jonesbor
T. simultaneously with those in the rea
'e On the evening of September 3, b
te advance passed through Greenvil
IL and bivouaced about four miles fro'
he the town, on the Rodgersville roa
o. Morgan, with q small body-guar
IL comprised of twelve men, commando
n by Lieut.. Hawkins, rode back 10
I'd town, and on invitation of Mrs. w
I'd liams, accepted the hospitalities
d. her mansion for the night.
o' In addition to the guard Of caviar
IS there was section of Burns batte
'c halted and placed on q bill in L
P' vicinity of the village. In the mea
ne time the road leading out to Bull
y Gap was picketed by details fro
as (Bradford's) 3lst Tennessee regimen
Gu and other usual precautions we
y. taken to prevent surprise or inform
ty ton of our movements being convey
10 to the enemy. After these dispositio
pc, pc, were made for the night, Morg
w w partook of the good cheer provided
at' his hostess, and retired to an up-sta
oe room to seek rest, which be bae
we I'VE needed, leaving a guard Of serges
'.u and six men in the hall below. A
~ o'clock in the morning be sent ord
iu by q courier for the troops on
nce Rodgersyille road to move, intendl
ov. to follow or remain to give directio
ow as circumstances might require.
.rm ~ About 6 o'clock, firing in the to
,ho gave notice of our attack Nor;
.,n was clothed in an undershirt. pa
;ces and boots when be descended
II stairs and passed out Of the hall
,,o, the rear of the house into the gard
ev. he was unarmed, having nett her pl'
> ~ or saber (his pistols were in the ha
ow of his secretary. and on entering
nm garden he discovered that the wi
;on block or svuare was surrounded
oeet the enemy, who were firing IN
otr. directions 10 create a panic; he
;o;c. passed into an arbor covered
,h. grape vines, aud said to the few
tho him, They have u.s." 10 the N
.o., time the fences were torn down
,ha the grounds entered by some on
hsan @ and some mounted. Morgan, bea
.nnla his secretary, who was standing
|, Ip hou the entrance to the arbor, rhalle
ndi as to bis whereabouts, stepped
n. and said, 81 surrender" when
,.orn was brutally shot down by N
!. Campbell, Of Sewer county,
Tennessee, a private in Kinks
VEN. ment, who was soon after prou
Flor. to a lieutenancy for the atrocious
cd a Morgan's body was then thrown
,6..iaI downward across horse aud ca
al in in triumph through the streets an
, ia about o mile on the DulPs Gap
= 70. over which the enemy were b
morn. retrea,iug to their fastncss, wht
d an waa thrown uo"n ,"'o 'nc .nuu
clock body was reco'ereu on aPP"Ia''
'ut his Col. Jim browniow' maue ny
which Withers aud Capt. james Roger
q the Morean's staff. and carried ba
con. town, where it was washed and
,orse's in rude coffin BY those of bis
m eat who were then prisoners. An
taking lance was 'hen procureu' anu "