Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-02-03
III Of aoRaAs,s AAlps,
A Ride Of Fifty niles In Thirty
Hcurs-The Essentials ola
General.
New Orleans Picayune.

"Yes, Morgan was a mneh greater
soldier than he is generally consid-
cred" said Colonel Thomas H. Hunt,
Of New Orleans, the other evening to
a representative of the Picayune, after
a rambling discussion OF the merits Of
the various Confederate generals. "Hs
was far more than a raider, aud had
in him ell the elements that make up
a great Leader"
We'll, Colonel, | know you led one of
the most gallant Kentucky regiments
in the Southern army, and are familiar
with the country in which Morgan
gained his fame; were you ever with
him." was the query.
Yes, sir; it was my good fortune to
be under his command when he made
the attack on Huntsville in 1862.
That has been pronounced by able
military critics the most brilliant
achievement Of the war, and | was SO
impressed with the military genius of
the man on that occasion, that | shall
never cease to regard him with the
HIGHEST veneration."
Upon being pressed the Colonel
went IN: I'm the winter OF 1862, while
the Confederate army lay in camp at
Murlreesboro, Tenn, General Morgan
got exact information Of the position
OF the enemy across the Cumberland.
aud determined to strike out one OF
those quick and decisive blows for
which he was famous. General Har.
lan's division OF 5000 men was ems
camped at Castilian Springs, while a
force of 1000 Federals were posted
eight miles below him. The problem
was to cross the Cumberland, whip
and if possible, capture this latter
fierce, and escape before Harlan could
come up.
He asked for TIVE regiments of in
fantry to accompany him, and mine.
tie Fifth Kentucky, was chosen as a
part OF the force. The boys were rag
ged and many shoeless, and after an
inspection | selected those who were
we'll shod and comfortably clad. 1t
was bitter cold and the men must have
suffered intensely.
When we reached the Cumber
land a council of war was called. and
when | was informed Of the position |
suggested, OF course, that Harlan
would come up as soon as he heard
the firing and capture our whole com.
mand. No, said Morgan, he will
not. He will get his troops in line
and wait for a courier to inform him of
the situation, and | will take care
that the courier shall not reach him
by posting a line of scouts across the
country. This was an exhibition of
one Of the highest qualities of pener.
alship-knowledge Of what the enemy
would do under certain circumstances.
Well, sir, he actually accomplished
his purpose. With a force of 1000 he
marched fifty miles in a deep snow
crossed the Cumberland twice. can,
tured 1000 prisoners and much plun.
der, and brought them into camp.
all in thirty hours"
What did you do with the prison.
ers, Colonel2"
They were paroled the next day
and permitted to go home. As we
were recrOsslng the river at a ford
near Huntsville, Morgan ordered the
cavalry to carry the prisoners over be.
hind them on horseback, as the Their.
mometer was far below the freezing
point. The men in blue crowded
around him and exclaimed: well.
it we had caught you we would have
treated you to rope, but we know now
sou arc not as bad a man as We
thought"