Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1876-08-11
How General Hayes Headed OF
John Morgan.

mated Tor the Tfesluehcy because OF MS
record of civil life, he has a record as a
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 already
known. The following narrative Of one
of the most brilliant movements of the
war is copied from the Cincinnati Times:
In the latter part of June, 1868,
Gen. Hayes had been ordered by Gener-
al Scammon to make raid on the Vir-
ginia x Tennessee Railroad, to cut and
DESTROY it as much as possible. AT that
time Lee was marching north toward
Gettysburg, and Grant was beseiging
Vicksburg, Hayes executed successfully
his movement, and was marching rapidly
back to Scammon's headquarters, when
he received the intelligence Of Lees de-
feat and the fall of Vicksburgh, which
filled his command with intense enthu-
siasm.
But there was drawback in their ex-
ultation in the further intelligence that
John Morgan had made a great circuit
in Indiana and Ohio, and was at that
time crossing the Sciato below Chillico-
the and making for Gallipolis, where
there were 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 these the next
morning, it would be possible to reach
Gallipolis in time to head off Morgan
and save the army supplies there, worth
million dollars. His command con-
sisted of about twelve hundred cavalry,
and, worn out as they were by the march,
they received the generals proposition
for another forced march to save CALI
polls 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 happiness
| to reach the river in time to see the fleet
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 Gallipolis.
All day and the following night the
steamers were forced forward, and at
daylight the next morning, reached their
destination and they were not mo-
ment too soon, for John Morgan was
within six miles of the town, and there
was no troops there to dispute his en-
trance. Hayes moved forward at once
with his forces, and his had not proceed
ed a mile when he sighted the advance
skirmishers of Morgan.
Morgan's men halted, and the officers
could be seen holding council They
were evidently taken aback at the sight
of an army, and Hayes had taken care
to display his troops in the largest pro-
portion possible. Morgan evidently
I thought Scammon's whole force was
, there to capture his. If he had known
there were but twelve hundred cavalry
it is entirely probable that he would
have consolidated his four or five thou
/. sand men and tried to cut his way
through.
And Hayes felt his disparity of num-
bers, but hoped with rested troops, who
were wrought up to the highest purpose,
to defeat the great raider. He could, at
least hold the town until succor arrived.
But Morgan did not pause to offer battle,
Hobson was in the rear and a fleet was
on its way from Cincinnati, to prevent
his crossing, SO he turned quickly to the
eastward, and made haste for Pomeroy.
Hayes, with equal celebrity, boarded his
boat again, and arrived in time to head
Morgan off again.
The race was now for the crossing at
Buffington's Island. Hayes passed on
ward, by the river, and by this time had
been joined by the Cincinnati troops.
They reached the bend Just in time to
see the head of Morgan's column at
tempting to cross, attacked it, and cap
tured nearly the whole force with their
enormous pillage; and such a spectacle
was never exhibited before. The stores
had been gutted for three hundred miles
and every vehicle on the road captured
to hold and convey the plunder.
Besides, the horses were loaded with
calico, blankets, muslins, shoes, ribbons.
tinware, glassware, crockery ware, hats,
caps, stockings, and every article that