Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1876-07-31
HOW GENERAL HAYES HEADED
OFF JOHN MORGAN.

Although Governor Hayes was nomi-
mated for the Presidency because of his
record in civil life, he has record as
soldier that needs but to be published
to make him as popular in the country
as he Is in his own State, where it is al
ready known. The following narrative
of one of the most brilliant movements
Of the war is copied from the Cincinnati
| Times
I'm the latter part of June, 1868,
Gen. Hayes had been ordered by Gener-
al Scammon to make raid on the Vir-
gina & Tennessee Railroad, to cut and
destroy it as much as possible. AT this
time Lee was marching north towards
Gettysburg, and Grant was beseiging
Vicksburg. Hayes executed successfully
his movement, and was marching rap
idly back to Scammon's headquarters,
when he received the intelligence of Lees
defeat and the fall of Vicksburgh, which
filed his command with intense enthu-
siasm.
But there was a drawback in their ex-
ultatiOn in the further intelligence that
| John Morgan had made great circuit
in Indiana and Ohio, and was at that
time crossing the Sciato below Chillieo-
the and making for Gallipolis, where
there we're immense government stores,
which he could destroy and escape
across the river into Kentucky, loaded
with the immense plunder of the stores,
towns and farms of Ohio. General
Hobson, it will be remembered, was a
days march in the rear.
The happy thought occurred to Hayes
that, by continued forced marches to the
head of navigation on the Kanawha,
and getting on steamboats, due there the
next morning, it would be possible to
reach Gallipolis in time to head off Nor
gan and save the army supplies there,
worth million dollars. His command
consisted of about twelve hundred cav
airy, and, worn out as they were by the
march, they received the generals pro-
position for another forced march to
save Gallipolis and capture Morgan
with wild hurrahs.
General Scammon heartily seconded
the movement, and after short rest
they pushed onward for the boats, and
by riding day and night had the happi-
ness to reach the river in time to see the
feet steaming up to the landing. To
, get on board, to find the food and rest
for man and horse, after their tremendous
effort did not require much time, and
, the boats soon turned backwards to Gal
lipolis.
t All day and the following night the
r steamers were forced forward, and al
Y daylight the next morning, reached theil
destination and they were not moment
o too soon, for John Morgan was within {
e miles of the town, and there was NJ
r troops there to dispute his entrance
: Hayes moved forward at once with hi
!. forces, and he had not proceeded mil
: when be sighted the advance skirmish
e ers of Morgan.
;. Morgan's men halted, and the officer
II could be seen holding council. The,
l. were evidently taken aback at the sigh
l. of an army, and Hayes had taken car
l. to display his troops in the largest pro
y portion possible. Morgan evidently
e thought ScammOn's whole force was ther
to capture his. If he had known ther
were but twelve hundred cavalry it
entirely probable that he would hav
consolidated his four or five thousan
men and tried to cut his way through.
:. And Hayes felt his disparity of nun
bers, but hoped with rested troop, VIII
) were wrought up to the highest purpos'
to defeat the great raider. He coulC
y, at least hold the the town until succ(
: arrived But Morgan did not pause
offer battle, Hobson was in the rear an
:. feet was on its way from Cincinnati
: to prevent his crossing. SO be turne
! quickly to the eastward. and made has
= for PomerOy. Hayes, with equal cele
ity, boarded his boat again, and arrive
in time to head Morgan off again.
The race was now for the crossing
a Bufhugton's Island. Hayes passed ol
= ward, by the river, and by this time hs
: been joined by the Cincinnati troop
!. They reached the bend just in time
see the head of Morgan's column attemp
ing to cross, attacked it, and capture
nearly the whole force, with their emo
nous pillage and such a spectacle "
!, never exhibited before. The stores b;
been gutted for three hundred miles al
r. every vehicle on the road captured
hold and convey the plunder.
Besides, the horses were loaded vi
n colico. blankets, muslins. shoes. ribbon
ou tinware. glassware, erockery-Ware, hai
to caps. stockings, and every article tn
er- could he attached To the saddle brid
and other harness and this for an arr
Ter Of four thousand horse in superb saya
ast raggedness, yet radiant with their bea
ith tiful spoils. John Morgan, with y