The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1876-09-23
How General HayosHeaded of
John Morgan,

hOW NSIl0idl luy } OCjNSN Ol
John Morgan.
Although Governor Hayes was nomina
ted for the presidency because Of his civi
life, he has q record as a soldier that need.
but to be published to make him as po2u
lar in the country as he is in his uwr
state where it is already Known. The
following narrative Of one Of tho most bril-
liant movements Of the war is copied
from the Cincinnati Times.
"ln the latter part Of June. 1868
Gen. Hayes mad been ordered by General
Scammon to make a raid on tho Virgin.
ia d Tennessee Railroad to cut and dc.
stroy it as much rs possible. AT that time
Ice was marching north toward Gcttys
burg and Grant was bcsciging Vicksburg
Hayes executed ucccssfuly his move
mcnt and was marching rapidly back to
Scammon's headquarters, when he rccciv-
the intelligence of Ices defeat and the
fall of Vickaburg, which filed his com.
mand with intense enthusiasm.
But there was drawback in their
exultation in the further intelligence that
John Morgan had made a great circuit
in Indiana and Ohio, and was ct that
time crossing the Scioto below Chilico-
tho and making for Gallipols, s,whcrc there
were immense government stores which
he could destroy and escape accross the
river Kentucky, loaded with the immense
plundcr Of the stores, towns aud farms Of
Ohio. General llobson, it will be re-
mcmbored, was 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 stcamboe's duo there the next
morning, it would be possible to reach Gal
lipolis in time to head off Morgan and
save the army supplies there, worth a
million dollars. His command consisted
ofabout twelve hundred cavalry, and,
worn out ashley were by the march, they
received the generals proposition for an
other forced march to save Gallipois and
capture Morgan with wild hurrahs. Gen.
eral Scammon heartily seconded the
movement, and after a short rest they
pushed onward for the boats, and by rid.
lng 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 rest and food for man aud
horse after their tr, ,ncndous efforts, did
not require much time. and the boats
soon were turned Backwards to Gallpolis.
All day and the following night the
steamers were forced forward, and at
daylight the ucxt morning reached their
destination; and they were not mo.
mcnt too soon, for John Morgon was
within six miles OF the town, and there
were no troops there 10 dispute his en-.
trance. Hayes had not proceeded mile
when he sighted the advance skirmishcrs
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
thought Scammon's whole force was there
to capture his. If he had Llown there
were but twelve hundred cavalry it is
entirely certain that he would have
consolidated his four or five ,hous md men
and tried to cut his way through.
Aud Hayes fclt hi. disparity OF mum.
bcTs, but hoped with rested troops to
defeat the great raider lie could, at
least, hold the town until suecor arrived.
But Morgan dil not pause to offer battle
lio5son was in the rear and fleet vas
on its way fIom Cincinnati, to prevent his
crossing, SO he turned quickly 10 the cast.
ward and mode haste for Pomcroy Hayes
with equal eelcrity boardcl his boat
again, and arrived in + me to head of
Morgan again.
The race was now for the crossing
at Bufhngtou's Island. ll4yes passed |
onward, by the river, and by this time
had bccn.j joined by the Cincinnati troops.
They reached the bend just in time to
SEQ the head Of Morgan 3 colum trying to
cross, attacked it, and captured nearly
the whole force with cnormous pillagc
aud such spectacle was never exhibited
before. The stores had been guttcd for
three hundred miles End every vehicle
on the road captured to hold and convey
the plundcr.
Besides, the horses were loaded with
calico, blankets, muslins, shoes, ribbons,
tnwaro, glassware, crockcry ware, hats,
aud every article that could be attached
to the saddle, bride, and other harness /;
and this for an army Of four thousand
horse in superb savage raggcdness yet ra,
diant with their beautiful spoils. John
Morgan with q part Of his force saved
themselves by another turn and flight,
but, as will be rocollcctod, was captured
away towards Pittsburgh and his career
stopped and Gallipolis saved.
To General Hayes is due the coacep.
tion of the plan, not only to save the
town but TO cut short in wocidl defeat
the desperate raider, so near an escape
to Kentucky with his immense booty.
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