Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-04-20
GEN. JOHN MORGAN.
HCY the Famous Confederate Trooper
and Raider Was Killed.
cpEENE,iLLE MANS STORY
The Distinguished CaNairymnn was
Surrounded While Siccping-shot
Escnuc-Fcil on His Face.

Mr. =. ". Horn. writing from Greene
vile. Tenn. 10 the 1t. Louis Republic,
tells the story Of the tragic death Of
General John H. Morgan. the famous Con-
.edcrate cavalryman, in the following
words:
This good old town Is fun Of historic in
crest in many respects. but. perhaps
20 spot within il IS more interesting TO
ne student o. history than the old WI
Jams property. where General John Nor
gan was killed. Everybody has read. both
u prose and in poetry. of Morgan. Nor
gan. the raider and Morgan's terrible
men; most people know that Morgan
was eventually killed At Greeneyille.
Tenn. but very few people know the real
circumstances that attended the killing
each side has given its own version Of
the matter and, as a result many con-
6cting stories have been told. After in
yesiicating the matter carefully and i'm
partially. and. talking with numerous
eyewitness of the affair, i am fully
persuaded tnai the real truth about this
IMPORTANT episode in our own war history
lies, as usual. about half way between
the extreme claims made 10y the opposing
parties.
The old Williams property is a large.
thrce-stOTy. brick building, that stands
noW very near the central business part
n the little town. Ii consists Of a spacious
main building. 70 which long ell IS
added on the right, and in front OF the
greater portion of 1t there IS 4 long porti-
co. with tall, brick columns supporting
the upper portion OF It, Even in its pres
ent condition one recognizes in II sur
V.vai Of the typical old-fas hioned southern
country home. Formerly IL was surround
"a by a large vineyard and orchard,
and had extensive grounds laid OF, with
nower-beds and long rows OF ornamental
shrubbery and artificial drlyeways and
fountains. ! had the pleasure Of seeing
faxed old-time daguerreotype picture Of
the place in its palmiest days. and
Judging from that the place must have
been indeed a bower of lOVe.iness. AZ
present things are very much changed.
The house has passed out OF the hands
Of its former owners and IS now being
used as place for the manufacture OF
pluc-tobacco. Several OF its numerous
windows have been nailed up with plank,
20 that II stands there like a great. blind
eyeless Samson.
Where the vineyard and orchard used
10 be there is now block Of compactly
built business-hOuses that front the other
way, turning their backs squarely in
front OF the old Samson. as II only toe
willing To act the part of the mocking
Insulting Philistines Scarcely a dozer
yards on the left of the old house there
Is now an elegant little residence. built
In the fastest. most modern style ina
ginahlc. \ more striking Illustration OF
the new South treading hard upon the
heels Of the Old would be difficult &c
find doubt II either building gains
anything by its nearness 10 the other
The old looks Anticipated and out OF dat,
when contrasted with the new: the new
looks irreverent. gaudy. and trlae out
OF taste when contrasted with the old.
FAMILY FOLKS
During the war the Williams property
was occupied by Mrs. Alexander VII
liams. a widow. and one ~ the wealthies'
ladies' In that part OF the country. One
az her Sons-Joseph-was in the UnioT
army. but Tom and William were both
captains In the Confederate service. The
former was captain OF Company f.. OF
the Sixteenth Tennessee Battalion. Will,
the latter served under Morgan. III,
wife OF General Morgan. who was the
daughter of oX-Congressman Ready, OF
Aurireesbcro'. was cousin OF the WI
Hams family. and. consequently
Morgan himself always REGARDED
them as his folks, and al
ways managed 10 stop with them II
he was In their part OF the country at all
On Friday. September 2. 1864. he came
down the country with detachment OF
about four hundred men and struck cam,
at Mount Bethel church, not quite a mil,
from Greeneyiile. About O'Clock tha'
afternoon. attended by Captain William
Williams and small guard. he rode int
town and asked Mrs. Williams II h,
might spend the night at her house.
''Of course. General Morgan" she re
piled. you know that | would be cia,
o. have you and William stay with us
but this country Is fun OF hundred -d.y
men and other Federal bushwhackers
and j wish very much you'd stay close
90 your men. I'm AFRAID you'll ge, int
trouble here"
Morgan hoOtcd al the idea OF danger
and said he had seen too many tight
places 20 BE- afraid o. a few hundred-day
men. Mr.. Williams protested 40 against
his stopping there that her son felt Obliged
% demonstrate with her
Mother" he exclaimed. you are so
tlmid that you are hardly respectful 20
the General. You must remember that
he Is A desperate ashtcf. and man fully
able 10 take care OF himself
FELT SECURE.
Finally Mrs. Williams ceased protesting