Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-08-11
HE CHASED MORGAN.
Captain Rowley, Of Pittsburg, Pilot
in the Days of the Raids.
HOW HE HOUNDED TIE GUERILLA.
A Marvellous March of 500 Miles Into Ohio
With 5000 Men. ',
SOME OF THE MEMORABLE INCIDENTS

Captain George w. Rowley, the we'll
known river man and resident of Pittsburg,
figured quite prominently in the late Civil
War as pilot of one of the boats of the
Union feet which headed off General Nor
gan in his terrible raid through the North
ern States. A DISPATCH reporter called
on that gentleman at his home on Pride
street yesterday afternoon, and listened to a
very interesting account OF numerous occur
rences in that celebrated raid. The story is
best given in the words Of the Captain him
self:
Yes, suppose an account of what took
place on the river during Morgan's raid
would prove interesting to many people. 1
served on gunboat during the whole OF
the war, and the time spent in chasing
Morgan up and down the river was the
most exciting of all my experiences. Nor
gan had, before he started on that raid,
little over 5000 men; but this number was
slightly reduced in the battle of GaIlatin,
where he was defeated by Colonel Hobson.
1t was after this battle that he headed for
the Ohio river, and crossed over to the
State of that name near Brandenburg.
Hobson was close on his heels, and we
arrived at the place of crossing the day
after he had got over. =
I'VE had seven gunboats at that time,
and was pilot of the Moose. No battle
took place at Brandenburg, but
SEVERAL MEN WERE KILLED
while Morgan was crossing the river.
Fearing that a Union force might be con-
cealed in some of the numerous strips of
wooded land along the banks of the stream,
some of these exploded near parties of farm
ing people who had come down to the banks
to see what was going on.
Then began one OF the most famous raids
in all history. 1t has always been sup
posed that Morgan crossed the Ohio for the
purpose of raiding the Northern States; but
l believe this to be mistake. Many pris-
oners whom we took from his ranks told us
that he crossed, not for the purpose of max
ing raid. but simply to escape from Col
onel Hobson, who was pressing hotly on his
rear with superior force. Morgan's ac-
tions seemed to bear out this view, for he
was continually attempting to recross the
river and get back South.
Colonel Hobson pressed by land on Nor
gan's rear, while we steamed up and down
the river with our boats, and headed the
rebels of whenever they attempted to get
over. Morgan hurried through Ohio, de-
stroying everything in his way What he
did not destroy he carried off He fol-
lowed the line of the river continually; but
seldom came in sight Of our boats, except
when he would make an attempt to get
back South.
"We were kept pretty well informed of all
Morgan's movements. The country people
along his line of march would mount their
horses during the night, ride down to the
rive, where we we're, and, after attracting
our attention by throwing stones at the
boats, would tell us all the particulars of
his movements. He made attempts to cross
at various places. Now he was at Leaven-
worth, then at Louisville; at one time he
was at Cincinnati, at another, near Man
chester. No matter, however, where he
went, or what place he endeavored to cross,
the gunboats were
SURE TO BE THERE
TO spoil his plans. In his official report, |
made after the raid, Morgan said that the |
river was full of gunboats, and that he |
could do nothing on that account, whereas |!
here was only one feet on the water to op- |
pose him.
morgan made desperate attempt to get |
nto Pomeroy. The people were prepared |
or him, however, and among their weapons
vas small cannon, fashioned out of a
queer piece of iron. They loaded this, and
planting it on a hill, succeeded in killing
me of Morgan's men. 1t caused the rebel
eader much chagrin to think that one of
lis soldiers had been killed by such de-
pissed weapon.
morgan was daily becoming more des-
,erate, and finally he was brought to bay.
jolonel Hobson was reinforced by General
and the union force was now
learly double that Of the rebel leader.
Finally battle took place near Swan Bar
n the banks of the Ohio. 1t was in the
norning, and dense fog hung over the
Gene. As we moved up the river with our
oat I noticed some of the rebels dragging
gun through the bushes for the purpose Of
citing shot at US. / notified the captain
nd she'll was promptly thrown at them.
he frightened soldiers let go the gun and,
5 it was on wheels, it rolled into the river
his was very lucky for us, as we were only
,usket proof, and, had our boilers been
isabled, we would have been in a very
,rious plight, as our boat was the only one
Thich had succeeded In getting over the
ar.
Morgan was finally defeated. Three
1ousand men surrendered on the field of
attle, and 800 head of horses were recov-
red. Morgan eluded capture for some time
niger, and, although he succeeded person.
lly in getting across the river on one occa-
on, he went back. refusing to desert the
lajor portion of his band. 1t was only a |
uestion of time, however, and he was fin
Ily taken.
"The distance travelled by that man. with
, army numbering 5000, was simply as
unding. Inside of six days he must have
aversed at least 800 miles. I 10 not think
lat an army ever made better time under
milar circumstances. Morgan deserves
uch credit for the shrewdness, if not for
e purposes, with which he conducted that
i'd"
HORSFORD'S ACID PHOSPHATE