The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-08-27
Mnryanss Raid In Indiana.

To THE EDITOR: / have long since felt
desire to communicate some little incidents and
circumstances connected with John Morgan's
raid in Indiana. / enlisted about the 18th OF
June, 1868, at indianapolis, in Co. b. list Ind,
which was soon after transferred to the cav
airy, and was called the 9th Cav. Some
time in the latter part of July or early August
the news came that Morgan was crossing the
Ohio River and would be in Indianapolis in
a very short time. Nearly all the soldiers In
the city at that time were either raw recruits
or sick and convaeScent men. The news spread
very rapidly that Morgan was expected to be on
hand at any hour. 1t WAS said he would lib
crate the prisoners at Camp Morton, arm them,
and turn them loose in the city to destroy us
ALL Excitement prevailed throughout all that
portion of the State. The citizens began to rub
up their old squirrel rifles, shOtguns. old pepper
box revolvers 10 deal death and destruction to
old John when he put in his appearance One
day orders were issued TO muster every enlisted
man who able 10 carry gun, aud supply
them with five days ratons and 90 rounds OF
cartridges | was only a boy at that time, never
! had been far from home, and had scarcely
taken time to think what war meant; but all
| this excitement set me TO thinking, and the
more i reflected over it the worse | felt, and
the more / wished | had taken my mothers
advice and stayed at home l was assigned to
a company of mixed lot of new recruits who,
| presume, felt as lonesome AS did About that
time we were equipped and ordered TO march
to the Union Depot, where we got aboard OF the
train to go south. The train was loaded inside
and as many as could ride on top. III ever an
old freight train run like lightning that one
did which landed us at North Vernon about .
p. III. that evening. The news was that Nor
gan had sent dispatch ahead that he would
be in South Vernon that night, and all the troops
that could be gathered up was concentrated at
that point. On leaving the train at North Yer
| OIL In nNnnf
two miles south to South Vernon-the great
anticipated battle-ground. We had not gone
| more than half way till the boys began to fall
out beside the road to blow, we were all well
supplied with blankets, two suits of clothes
packed in our knapsacks, 90 rounds of car
tridges, haverSack and canteen flied. Old SOL
ders would naturally feel like resting on a
forced march, or dog trot, for two miles As
soon as the commander saw the boys giving
out and painting like lizards, he ordered them
to unsling knapsacks and throw them to one
side of the road, and move on as rapidly as pos
sible The hour was about up that John was
to put i'll his appearance. Knapsacks, canteens,
haversacks, etc, few in every direction, through
the excitement, which We never expected to
see again, even if we got through the battle
alive. About the time we entered the town the
pickets began to fire on our right, which was
on the side of the town that Morgan was
expected. Now, if ever boys felt bomesick,
lt was some oil us. On we went until we
were halted on an elevated point in the edge of
the village in line of battle. We were ordered
to remain in this position with loaded guns I'M
til further orders. We rested ourselves on the
ground with palpitating hearts, expecting every
moment to hear the yells and screams of old
John and his marauding gang. We stayed in
this condition the whole night, but, to our great
disappointment and relief, John did not call on
us, but had passed around, and was 40 miles
away towards the Ohio line. Some of the boys
had been asleep, and some had been watching
for Morgan. little after daylight We were
called in line and the command was given,
Forward, march," AS we moved off the
ground, one of the boys in front struck his foot
against an officers sword, and | thought it was
our commanders sword, and that he had
dropped it accidentally; SO l stopped down,
picked 1t up for him, as / supposed, and carried
it along. expecting he would be back every
moment looking for it. The first thing knew
an officer came along calling for his sword, and,
seeing it in my hand, accused me of stealing or
trying to steal it. Well, it took me SO by sur
prise that / did not know what to say. l
dropped the sword, and of course had to keep
my place in ranks, and nevergot an opportunity
10 explain.
Thus ended the great anticipated battle at
South Vernon Ind, with John Morgan. If the
man who owned that sword should ever read
this, l should be pleased to hear from him.
VIM. HUTCHINSON, list 9th Cav Ind, Waverly,
Coffee Co., Kan.