River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1881-11-03
A BRILLIANT DASH.
hOw the Guerrilla Chieftain. John
Morgan. was Caught and Killed.
Col. ]. d. Maegowan in nm. Weelly Tilnes.

Col. J. L. Macgowan in Phil Weekly Times.
About the time the brigade was con-
centrated and as notes were being COM
pared with view to determine on
some plan of operations against Nor
gun, a woman from Greenviile, dripping
with rain and on horseback, was con-
Quoted to the spot apart where the
general and his officers were consult
ing. Her name was Bacon. She was
an alleged widow, formerly of Ohio. In
reality she was an adventures, an ex-
variety actress anxious TO cause a SEN
sation, get herself talked about among
the officers of the armies, and men
toned in reports and newspapers. This
woman correctly told Gillem the situa-
ton at Greenville.
Morgan was sleeping at the mansion
of Mrs. Williams, in the edge of the
town and directly on the Bulls Gap
road. "Dick" Morgan's regiment was
in camp in field a short distance west
of the town, and that side alone was
picketed. Duke, with the main force,
lay nearly mile east of where Nor
gan retired for the night This infor-
nation gained, Gillem at once ordered
Ingerton to proceed to Gree aville with
his regiment and Newell's battalion.
Captain Roberts of the Tenth Michigan
and Captain " ilcox of the Thirteenth
Tennessee were sent in advance with
their companies, the main reconnoiter-
ing force taking more leisurely pace
and making IA detour to the left so as TO
get round Dick Morean's pickets and
take his regiment in the rear. Wilcox,
who commanded the advance, when
within throe-quarters Of mile of the
village got glimpse OF the confederate
reserve picket in the road. lie pro-
posed to Roberts to make dash
through the line and into the town, with
view of surrounding the house where
Morgan was in bed, capturing him and
his staff and trust to luck to get out.
Roberts was ready for any enterprise,
and closed eagerly with his superior's
daring proposition.
Forward Trot Gallop Charge !"
rang out on the air and on the ears
of the startled, astonished confederate
sentries. They were literally ridden
over by the dashing federals, and be-
fore Dick Morgan's subordinate, whom
he had left in command, got man in
the saddle, the Williams house was sur
rounded by Wilcox's men. They shot
or captured the two or three guards,
picked up all the horses and an officer
or two in less time than it requires to
tell the story.
Morgan was wakcned by the shoot
ing and tramping. He got on his pants,
boots and hat, and in his shirt sleeves,
revolver in hand, ran down the long
sloping grounds on the east front of the
house. In the northeast corner was n
grape arbor AS Morgan stopped to
pass under this in order to reach the
fence, he was discovered by Andy
Campbell, private in company G, Thir-
teenth Tennessee cavalry. who fired on
him. The bullet took effect in General
Morgan's right side, and ranging up
ward, on account of the STOPPING posi-
ton he was in, passed out near the
heart. He fell and died instantly.
Meantime the balance Of the officers
in and about the house, few orderlies
md squad from Dick Morgan's COM
mand, were captured and rushed of
toward the eastern portion Of the town.
Campbell dismouuted from his horse,
took look at the man he had killed,
recognized him - he was deserter
from Morgan's first command - raised
the BODY, threw it over his saddle-bow,
remounted and rode away with his
companions. They went pell-mell
through the town, fled to the right,
passed out to the north, bore to the
right round the hill where the remains
of Andrew Johnson are buried, and,
though pretty holly pursued by por-
ton of Dukes men, they reached the
Bulls Gap road near the point where
they had charged the rebel picket half
an hour before.