The National tribune., 1893-02-16

posed to them equal in number and some
fines greatly superior to their own, ami
many OF the brave sons of East Tennessee
were destined to be offered as sacrifice
upon The altar of their country, before the
old starry banner could again be permitted
to wave in triumph over her mountains ana
valleys. and proclaim liberty to her op-
pressed citizens.
Nanv scenes were enacted in East Ten
nessee. which, in a less exciting and critical
period of the war, would have created more
of a sensation; but they were now almost
lost sight of in the more dazzling ana ex-
citing engagements of grand armies IN dif-
ferent parts of the country. [ hope, how
ever. that the reader will indulge me In
noticing a few of the movements OF this
little brigade of cavalry, commanded by
Gen. Gill;,
Oa the 30th of September 1864, we find
the saldiers in this brigade quietly in camp
at Balls Gap, little suspecting that the
renowned Gen. Morgan, with force supe-
rior 10 their own, was advancing toward
Them. confident of blaming a certain and
easy victory. A dark and rainy n1ght
approaches The vigilant commander OF
the t. on forces ascertained that Morgan's
command had arrived at Greenevllle, 10
miles distant, from portion OF his force
that occupied position in the direction OF
Bulls Gap, and had gone into camp. The
18Th Tenn Cav, commanded by COL lnger-
ton. received orders at IL o'clock on the
night of he Both of September, TO get IN
rear Of Morgan's advance, which order was
successfully accomplished by daylight on
the morning of the 1st of October. len
companies were formed III ambush ABOUT
one mile from Greeneville, to await the
attack OF the remaining part of the brigade,
which was moving up'the main road. The
rebel dispatch-learer was now captured,
and it was thereby ascertained that Morgan
and his staff were in Greeneville. at the
house of Mrs. Williams, some distance from
and in the rear of his main force Capt.
Wilcox who was afterward promoted to
Major was at once directed to take charge
of the It naming two companies of the 18th
regiment, and go into Greeneville and en-
Geavor to effect ,he capture of Morgan and
his staff.
A few random shots which were fired at
the rele in the streets
WARNED MORGAN OF APPROACHING DAN
GER,
and also aroused his slumbering troops; but
it was too late to save their chieftain from
his impending fate. Regardless of the shot
and she'll which were thrown from the rebel
batteries, the daring Capt. Wilcox sur
rounded the house and lot of Mrs. Williams,
and captured Morgan's staff Morgan per-
ceiving the imminent peril which now
threatened him in every direction, fed to the
garden and concealed himself among the
thick clusters of vines which overspread the
summer-house; but he was soon discovered
and shot by private, Andrew Campbell,
who was afterward promoted to Lieutenant,
of Co. 6, 18th Tenn. Cav.
After Morgan's staff officers were all cap
tured, man came in who said that man
had bten killed in the garden. One of the
staff officers desired to see who it was, and
requested The guard to go with him. When
he approached the body tears commenced
flowing down mis- cheeks, and he exclaimed,
That is John Morgan"
Being violently assailed by superior
withdrew in good order, carrying with him
the body of Morgan and 40 prisoners, in
Guiding his staff officers. In the meantime
the main rebel force was attacked some dis
tance below Greeneville, by Gen. Gillem, who
succeeded most admirably in routing and
driving them back in the utmost confusion,
while their advance, coming upon the part
of the 18th regiment in ambush, received
most terrible and CALLING fire, which killed
and wounded quite a number Of the rebels
as they ran. The main column now turned
suddenly, and in great confusion, into the
woods on the left side of the main road, the
companies Of the 18Th, which were in am
bush, being on the right side of the road.
Col. Ingerion hearing the firing in the di-
rection of Greeneville, and entertaining fears
in regard TO the safety OF Wilcox, allowed
The rebels TO escape, while he hastened with
the main part Of the regiment TO the assist
ance OF the small force which had been sent
into Greeneyille under Wilcox.
The tn;ire brigade had now moved up
and when Gen. Gillem saw the body of Nor
gan he waved his hat around and cheercd
the u h Tenn. Cav. with the greatest en-
thusiasm, while the soldiers as they passed
along seemed to be perfectly wild with de-
light as one after another would exclaim,
Morgan is killed.; and "Charge the
rebels was the constant cry Of the soldiers
Morganis force now made stand on College
Hill, short distance east of GreeneviIIe
The Federal forces under Gen. Gillem moved
mp the road and sharp fight occurred,
which resulted in the complete rout of the
rebels and the capture of their artillery
wagons, together with upward of 200 pris-
oners. This was the end Of the romantic
career Of John Morgan, who had, perhaps,
done as much real injury 10 the Union cause
as any one man in the Confederate service
The Federal troops now moved on up as far
Carriers Station, in Carter County, when il was
ascertained that Gen Vaughn had reorganized
Morgans old command, to which had also been
added the rebel force under the command of
(af Is.lp ,f Nortl n roffp.