The National tribune., 1900-06-14

airy. The ominous sound came rushing
on, and at early dawn our weary cavalry
men We're once more in battle line TO contend
with the fresh host so rapidly bearing down
upon them.
Capt Warren Montfort hastened oawake
Gen. Morgan; JohnsOn's and Jessee's
battalionS took positions on the left OF the
4th KY; Capt. Guerrant formed the right
wing by placing Chenowith and Trlmble
on Holidays right. Before these prepara-
tons had been completed the enemy, in
overwhelming numbers, were upon us.
They rode up to within few hundred yards.
Gismounted, and charged, but were driven
back. They then sent large force right
and left to flank us. Being nearly sur
three or four hundred yards.
Gen. Morgan then came upon the field at
the head Of kiTkpatrick's and BowleS'S
battalions, and sent one Of them to the right
and the other 10 the left TO repel the Federal
Ranking columns. The 4th KY, with
empty guns, undertook to hold the enemy's
center in check until the other battalions
could mount their horses. Kirkpatrick's
and BoWleS's mounted battalonS were too
small 10 even momcntarily delay the large
RANKING forces, and our whole command
was soon forced back into the streets Of the
town, routed and demoralized. The con-
fusion was Observation-Disclosures
reigneI supreme. There was much shoot
Ing, swearing and yelling; some, from sheer
modification, were crying.
The 4th KY, dismounted, was in a worse
preJicament than the other battalions
Their horses, held in Augusta street, had
been Stampcded by numerous caYalrvmen
dashing through the column before the
boys had fallen back TO them. The enemy
came on IN the form Of a crescent and cut
Of their retreat by the only two avenues Of
escape the Augusta road and the Licking
River bridge. The only thing left was 10
taEe to the Licking River, the passage of
which was dangerous, and the more so
because Of an exposure toa pitiless fire from
the enemy Many poor fellows were killed
or captured IN the town. and many more
mon and horses were killed, wounded or
drowned IN the river. There seemed TO be
no thought of surrender. Nothing but
visions II crGcl, icathSOme prisons could
nave nerved those soldiers, brave as they
we're, 10 risk almost certain death in the
river rather than surrender.
Con Morgan had ordered a retreat by
Wa" 81 TIE Augusta road. and he and a
aumaer Of men escaped by that route just
before tie point Of the blue crescent swung
into tie road. The prisoners had also been
sent ahead on the Augusta road.
While falling back on the town saw Gen.
Morgan on hIS step trotting roam horse.
gong toward the Augusta road. He was
sklmmng along al an easy pace, looking
up at our broken lines, and softly whistIing
! was glad 10 see him getting awav for
had he been captured he would doubtless
have iafed badly, as the Fedarais had not
forgiven him for his daring escape from the
Ohio prison.
Luck came my way. While in the town
drLlted about here and there and was
thinking OF taking the river route TO free
dom or death, when a tall, fine-lookinp Off
Ger, stranger 10 me, at the head of a small
squad OF men, dashed up and said he knew
the topography Of the country, and that he
could flank the enemy without crossing
the river. He spoke rapidly, scarcely
halting. Ten or Is of US followed him
His name was Berry, Lieutenant of the
Second Brigade, think. Icannot describe
the route we took. | had never been i'm
Cynthana before, and have never becn
there since that awful morning. Berry
"quadrupie-quicked" us through obscure
streets and by devious and isolated nail.
ways, until finally we crossed a deep, mar
row stream, tributary 10 Licking River,
called Indian Creek, as | remember. We
galloped across bluegrass pastures and
through woodlands until we came into the
Augusta road, some distance in the rear of
Gen. Morgan Notwithstanding column.
Hunyng on, we overlook Can't. Warren
Montfort, Of JesseS,s battalion, who was in
command OF Morgan'S rear-guard.
ConfederateS and prisoners alike were
gong at a quick-step march. The prison.
erS, many ol Whom had tramped all the way
from Mt Sterling, sharing our hard
marches, were anxious to be paroled. that
they might return TO their homes They
Were afraid the FederalS would oyertake
and capture us before we should have the
opportunity TO parol them. Inoticed a nice
looking little prisoner not more than II or
!s years of age, limping along, seemingly
In distress. He very gratefully accepted
my invitation 10 get up and ride. / shared
my horse with him until we arrived at CLAY
Village, where the prisoners were paroled.