The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-08
barrassment caused by the exhaustion Of the
general fund will be relieved by prompt action
when the General Assembly meets tomorrow.
In THE GUERILLAS' CAMP.
An Interesting Renaissance of the Morgan
Raid-The Invasion Across the River.

A peculiar experience with General John Nor
gan, the famous guerilla. was related to a Jour-
nal reporter by General John c. McQuiston, the
facts of which have hitherto remained unpub-
lished, and secret with the gentleman
''You must remember" said General McQuis-
ton. that when Morgan had effected landing
on the Indiana side of the river, and commenced
his flibustering march through the State, the
most intense excitement prevailed. At that
time was provost marshal of the district, and
had secret orders from Governor Morton to learn
of the enemys movements. The latest intelli-
gence received from Morgan was that his com
mand had entered Osgood, Ind, and had burned
the bridge of the o. q NJ. railroad.
was living at Morris, Ind. where the
several companies of infantry, and
batteries had left the train under the command
of Colonel Gavin. John Egan, at present the
general passenger agent of the c., l., st. L. &
c. railroad had just arrived at Morris, and pro-
posed that we drive over towards Osgood, and
reconnoitre. A disabled blackboard was secured,
and we entered the town of Osgood, only to
learn from an ancient Hoosier that the enemy s
command was about two hours out Of the town.
The wheat had been cut and shocked and the
roads were dry and dusty, and, night approach
ing, we determined to make for Morris By
mistake, however, the moon not having arisen,
we got on wrong road, and as we logged along,
unthinkng the click of sabers met my ear and
in the distance perceived two horsemen coming
slowly towards us Although dressed in CIVIL
ians' clothes, we had taken the precaution to
arm ourselves with fowling- pieces. l knew that
if my official position were known, would prob
few %1n 10 nf %hn 1Ivy %n11
ing Egan the situation, 1 grasped the guns and
jumped over into wheat field and hid behind a
stack of wheat The horseman approached Egan
who, by the way, had hidden his watch in his
boot and commanded halt. / heard him tell
them that he was commission man from Gin
clnnati, and that he was returning to a friends
house up the road One of the fellows discov-
cred that he wore good pair of boots, and sug-
geSted exchange but the other interposed, and
John drove on. He managed to get through
II lay in the wheat field for few minutes, and
after the moon rose it was very light / knew
that extremS caution could only save me, for
inferred that we had struck the enemys camp.
had lost the direction, but believed that must
cross the road to get to the northeast. Il stole
along silently, and struck gully, followed IT
down and crossed the fence. BY the way" CON
tinued the General, ION the other side of the
road, which ran parallel with my walk, was a
rounded hill; in fact, the country very billy,
and supposed the rebels to be further up the
rounded hill the many camp-fres; a gun clicked,
and-well, was captured. Knowing General
Morgan personally, he having lived at Peters
burg, KY, opposite Lawrenceburg Ind. l real
lied that / must reach him. Telling the guard
that had dispatches from Basil Duke to Mo r
gan, was escorted to a log cabin his headquar
ters A dozen officers sat in the front room
drinking whisky. Morgan came out of the back
room saw me, gave start. and motioning to
me, took me in the other room and closed the
door, John, you id old cuss what are you
doing here?" he said. / told him that / had
never wanted to SEQ the direction of his com
mand and ha6 stumbled in by mistake You
haven't entered my lines for informationY 1
assured him that l hadn't, upon my honor. Nor
gan replied We'll, John, you and Iare Freemasons
and mot word--Il introduce you to my staff as
friendly Several bottles of whisky were drunk
I asked Morgan why he was so foolhardy to
enter territory, where he could be wiped out
why he had crossed the river patrolled by federal
gunboats. He told me the movement had been
made to stir up the contributions from Northern
sympathizers; to keep up the waning influence
Of the Confederacy; that he had no designs upon
Cincinnati and that he wanted to get back over
the river as quickly as possible. A guard
escorted me to the outposts and after a bewil-
dering time over roads that had been barrcaded
and past green sentinels, who asked me to halt,
and then raised the banners of their muskets,
/ reached Morris in safety"