The National tribune., 1900-04-26
Fighting THEM OVER.
What the Veterans Have TO Say
About Their Campaigns.
co. G'S REPULSE.
Waiting for Morgan's Men, Some of Them
Met with a Wonderful Adventure

EDITOR NATIONAL. TRIBUNE: One of
the most welcome visitors have is THE
NATIONAL TRIBUNE; nothing gives me
more pleasure than to read the sketches of
the Fighting Them Over column. They
recall many incidents. sad and merry.
frequently read accounts Of ludlcrouS adj
venture by the old boys, and would like to
recall or relate one.
Co G., 9TH Ohio Cav. was recruited and
mustered in at Portsmouth. o.. Sept. 2S.
1862. This was the company to which !
belonged. We went into camp al what was
known as Camp Portsmouth. We were
armed with muskets that no doubt had seen
service in the War of 1912.
About this time it was reported that John
Morgan was going to make a raid into
Ohio, and in all probability would attempt
to cross the river at the point where we We're
on guard: 1t was not UNCOMMON TO see
fires away across on the X Kentucky hills.
which those who knew said We're made by
Morgan's pickcts.
We observed that our officers were IN
easy, for fear of an attack in the night.
Orders were given to double the pickets and
also TO establish posts farther up the river.
Being Seventh Corporal in line of pro-
motion | was assigned a Corporars guard
and ordered on the outpost, with orders at
nightfall to take position as close to the
waters edge as possible, that we might
hear the dip of oars should the enemy
attempt to cross, and i'll case any person
should try to pass or repaSS without giving
the countersign, to take him dead or alive.
A Lieutenant was Officer Of the Guard
and with the reserve was stationed in Il
covered bridge about a half-mile in our
rear. This was the first time that any of
us had been on picket duty, and we really
felt honored to think such a rcsponsibiiit
had been given us.
1t was beautiful Autumn night but the
moon disappeared early, and We could
not distinguish objects at any great dis
tance by sight; consequently we depended
upon hearing.
We sat very quiet, indeed. scarcely talk
ing above whisper. The night was wear
ing away. All of Il sudden we heard Il
great cracking among the high weeds on
top of the bank Immediately behind us.
This made our blood run cold, and before ]
could rally my men a portion OF the high
bank fell in and with it what We thought
was half Of Morg&n's command. From
the grOanS that We're heard we believed
good many of them had been killed. but we
did not stay 10 see. 1t being the first re-
pulse that Co. q had ever mef with am
proud 20 say at this late day that every man
on the post with he escaped TO the reserve
alive, though some OF them had forgotten
their guns.
Our Lieutenant formed line of battle, and
anXiou3iy We awaited tic coming OF the
enemy. Daylight appeared, and =, recon-
noijsance was carefully made in tlc di-
reation of the mysterious happcniu" of the
night. Every pTecaUt:on Wa3 taken that
we might not be led into ambush. Not
meeting any resistance 10 our advance we
came to the ground, and instead Of &losgaas
men it was found tnat an old blind white
horse had accidentally gotten too close 10
the banks edge while feeding and had
tumblcd over.-WILIIAM BATTERSON,
Corporal, Co. G, 9Th Ohio Cav, Hebron,
KY