Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1898-04-14
MoReAN's RAID.


of the State OF Ohio for all men subject
to perform military duty to report to
headquarters, according to notice OF
said order, reported in camp to Col.
D. L. Wood, u. S. A, who was Com
mander.in-chief at Marietta, Washing
ton County. Ohio Col. Wood notified
me that was appointed Military Sur
geon, and ordered me to prepare at
once to move with an expedition down
the river, or otherwise as circumstances
would indicate. To be mounted on
horseback taking medicines and in
struments.
Rev. J. w. McMasters was appointed
my Orderly Sergeant, which office ne
efficiently filled from our leaving camp
at Marietta, and return and discharge
ten days later. We both lost our
horses at Burlington.
The expedition, composed of two
companies of infantry, Captains Put
nam and Steadman; battery of two
guns, Captain A. T. Nye; mounted cav
airy of about forty, moved on the 10th
from Camp Marietta to Little Hooking;
arriving in the evening we camped for
the night in Belpre township one mile
above Little Hooking, on the Goodno
farm.
At 2 o'clock on the nth we were
ordered to move at once to Burlington
Island. The infantry was ordered on
board the steamer Starlight, and bat
teries and horsemen 10 proceed by land.
The boat arrived at Portland (Bufing-
tom in the evening; the artillery and
battery arrived at a. m. on the 18th,
and camped in Williamson's orchard
near Portland.
The 18th was spent in fortifying and
preparing for defense, as we were noti-
fed of Morgan's near approach. At2:3O
p. 10. John Williamson arrived from
Pomeroy, 90 miles distant, making the
trip in one hour and twenty minutes on
horseback. He then mounted horse
and rode oyer the hill on the Cheste
road, and met Morgan's advance, which
had now arrived on the hill, and were
taking observations. The earthworks
and guns were in position to be seen
from the hill.
At about 2:90 o'clock in the morning
of the 18TH Col. D. L. Wood received an
order from Gen. Scammon, who was on
the opposite side of the river, to retreat
and cross the river on the boat. At
this time our pickets had been driven
into the orchard camp, and some of
them were captured by Morgan's men.
About a. m. the raiders had found a
place for fording the river at the head
of the island; and at the same time the
forces of Gems. Shakelford, Judah and
Hobson, who were in pursuit, arrived
on the hill and opened fire. Also the
gunboat which had arrived in front
at the same time. The raiders returned
the fire, but were compelled to retreat
up the river, leaving the dead and
wounded to be cared for by others.
My diary has 81 wounded of Morgan's
men, and nine of the Union forces. in
cluding Maj D. McCook, who was shot
from his horse on the hillside and NOR
tally wounded, by one of the rebels.
He died on the Thursday following.
Maj. McCook and Jacob Cram were
the only ones that were killed. There
were over one thousand rebels taken
prisoners at Burlington and vicinity.
Among the prisoners were some of the
prominent officers, such as Gen. Dick
Morgan, Basil Duke and nine of their
surgeons.
Morgan and his company retreated up
to Belleville, fifteen miles, and com
menced to ford the river, but were at.
tackled by gunboat which separated
them; and / was told by two eye wit.
nesses that they thought about 6O(
crossed at that place. But $50 were
taken prisoners and FIVE were drowned.
The balance went up Lee Creek. The
crew camped in Mr.. Humphreys or
chard near Coolyille. The prisoners
were all taken to Cincinnati. The
wounded were delivered at the Hospi
dt SONluRtOn, duo Lue lUUU bOlQlert
were taken in charge by the proper
authorities.
The Steamer Starlight was tied up a
Little Hooking on account of low water
1t was partly loaded with fiour-two o.
three hundred barrels, which wa
rolled out on the bank. The hunks O
the boat were placed on the floor of tn,
cabin for the use of the sick and wound
ed soldiers. All of the linen belonging
to the boat was appropriated. Th,
hunks were placed through the entir,
cabin with the head to the wall.
AS soon as the battle was oyer th,
wounded were brought on the boat
and in the absence of the Assistan
Surgeon / solicited the assistance o
the rebel surgeons who had beeI
taken among the prisoners, to whicl
they cheerfully responded. / do no
know the number of rebels killed il
the battle. The first one that / sav
was man lying at the foot Of tree
The hack ma RI of his baa Il moe tn,n -