Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-08-11
A TROOPERS LOVE.

It SItui'Nl VI " Ntp oi' Wv
| General John II. Morgan, and the great
est OF this da-hing officers exploits was
his stride through the states of Kentucky,
Indiana and Ohio. But Morgan did not
make his famous raid alone or unaided.
Hundreds Of kentucky's brave sons, with
hearts quick to dare and do, We're at
his side, Il rugged, substantial body, of
which he was the intelligent head, Side
by side they fought and side by side they
fell for II cause which they thought was
right. AS they fought their way so gal
..antly through hundreds of miles of hos
tile territory, the bright star of their Con-
fcdcracy, that had risen in such splendor
to Il place in the constellation of nations,
urged them on. But today their cause is
a thing of the past, Their star, like the
lost Plciad, is seen no more" So with
flowers and tears for the dead, with JOY
and brotherhood for the living, we tell
our tale.
1t was a bright July day in northern
Kentucky, bright for both the guerrilla
general and the Federal forces. Morgan,
with a command composed of young men
from the best families of Kentucky, ar
IDENTITY attached to their cause and himself,
had planned a greater excursion than he
had yet attempted. He had divided his
command into three divisions, and at
three different fords he was to cross the
Cumberland river, and when united the
enemy was to learn that it was not for
naught that men trembled at the mention
of his name.
On the other hand, the Union general,
obtaining information of Morgan's plans,
had by forced marches arrived on the scene
and was ready to attack the separate divi-
sions of the guerrilla's command before
he could consolidate. ALI was arranged
and in the hands of able Union brigadiers.
Proudly the old general walked the veran-
da of his headquarters, dreaming Of VIC
tory, for he had naught to do but to wait.
Presently a young lady appeared. 1t
was his daughter, who had followed him,
to be there at the death, he said.
"Ea, ha, my little angel" he laughed,
"we'l fix them, ali, we'll fix them. Well
get them this time. You see the way we
are going to ttack them. 1t cannot help
but be a regular skedaddle."
"Yes," she sighed as unconsciously she
looked beseechingly into his face.
dash it, grip cried the general, fly
ing into a rage and casting her from him,
why don't you forget that rebel dog9'
II will do what 1 can" answered the
girl. "But let us not talk on a subject
upon which we cannot agree. I have only
come out to ask your autograph"
my autograph"
"Your autograph, certainly" he was
answered. SIS not the autograph of the
captor Of General Morgan worth having?
l have just written a letter. 1 wish your
signature"
The old general, like the rest of us, had
his vanity, and in a few moments his sig
nature wa on the paper his daughter had
produced.
Having procured what she wished, the
| young lady retired, and the old general
again resumed his walk. 1t was some
time before he wa again disturbed in his
reverie.
A horseman was approaching from the
direction Of the scene of hostilities.
Perhaps he brought news of victory.
The general held his breath.
Forward sprang the messengers horse
until his hot breath was blown in the old
soldiers face.
"A ACVOOl5 III oceIA ChO AICooClISCAs
your order has been obeyed."
Recognizing the writing as that Of his
daughter, to whom he had given his sig,
nature but a short time before, the gem
eral, pale with excitement, tore off the
cover from the letter and read:
huntsville, KY, July 2, 1858.
MY DEAR FATHER-Knowing that it would
be impossible for General Morgan to unite his
forces before hey would he attacked by Gen
eral Shackelfo DIS brigade, and knowing that
such an attack would be most destructive to
General Morgan's command, l obtained Your
signature to an order commanding General
Shackelford t. halt and await further orders
from you, which was properly delivered. By
the time this reaches you you will see that 1t
will be disastrous to General Shackolford' s
brigade to again order their advance, for Gen
eral Morgan will by that time have consoli-
dated a superior force. Think of my condu
as you will, l have only attempted to save tt
life of one Of General Morgan's officers, IT,
lover Of your daughter ANNA.
The general was thunderstruck. His
name and fame so near made, and all
frustrated ~ a girl still in her teens. He
was, SO to speak, routed-badly route
What could be done? In his bewilder-
ment he ordered the advancing column
back to the starting point.
During the long march and running
fight of General Morgan and his gallant
command through the states of Kentucky,
Indiana and Ohio the daughter Of the old
general found many ways of communi-
eating with her lover, and many Of Gen
eral Morgan's wonderful escapes were duo
RI ipforn,ofioy oLtoi,,a1 fro,n hoS - H
When the war was over she married
her trooper, and today they are happy in
their Kentucky home. The well tried
saber and carbine hang on the wall, the
faded gray uniform is laid sacredly aside
the stars and stripes float from the cupola
Of the mansion. The old general rocks
easily OF the veranda, and, seeing one Of
his manly looking grandsons approach, he