The National tribune., 1901-12-19

as stated. to traverse Ohio-be was go
ing to Burlington Island. To have crossed
the river at Cincinnati would have short
ened the raid by many days, would have
released the troops pursuing us, and nave
abandoned the principal benefits expected
to be derived from the expedition.
AN EMBARRASSING NIGHT MARCH.
"In this night march around Cincin-
natl we met with the greatest difficulty
in keeping the column together. The
guides were in front with Gen. Morgan,
who rode at the head of the Second Bri-
gade. Consequently that brigade had no
trouble; but the First Brigade was en-
barrassed beyond measure. Cluke's regi-
ment was marching in the rear Of the
Second Brigade, and if it had kept closed
up we would have had no trouble, for
the entire column would have been di-
rected by the guides. But this regiment,
although composed of superb material and
unsurpassed in fighting qualities, had
been under lax and careless discipline
from the period of its organization, and
the effect of it was now observable. The
rear companies struggled, halted, delaying
the First Brigade, for it was impossible
to ascertain Immediately whether the halt
was that of the brigade in advance, or
only Cluke's stragglers, who when or
dered to move on would do so at Il gal
| lOp. A great gap would thus be opened
between the rear of one brigade and the
advance of the other, and we who were
behind had to grope our way as best we
could. -.- .--.....
when we would come to one of the
many roads that occur in the suburbs of
large city, we would be compelled TO
consult all sorts Of indications in order
| to select the right road. The night was
intensely dark, and we would make small
| bonfires of bundles of paper and splinters
of wood TO light our way. The horses
| tracks on roads so much Travelled gave
us no clew TO the route which the ad-
vance brigade had taken, but we could
trace it by noticing the direction in which
| the dust settled or 'hoated.' When the
night is calm the dust stirred up by Il
column of cavalry will remain suspended
in the air for a considerable length OF
time, moving slowly in the same direction
| that the horses which have disturbed il
are travelling. We could also trace the
column by the SLAYER dropped from tht
horses mouths. 1t was u terrible, trying
march.
| Strong men fell out of their saddles
and at every halt the officers, themselves
| exhausted, were compelled to move con
tinuaIy about in their respective com
panies and shake and pull the men who
were soundly sleeping in the road. Not &
few crept off into the fields and slept unit
| in astonishmcnt they awoke to find them
selves prisoners. The rear of the Firs
Brigade was prevented from going t.
pieces principally by the energetic exer
tions of Col. Grigsby. Maj. Steel wa
sent in the extreme advance TO driv
pickets, scouts and all detachments of tn
enemy which might be abroad from tn
road.
when day dawned we had passe'
Ill. Ill. Al
principal suburban roads and were uea
the Little Miami Railroad, the last poin
where we thought we were likely to en-
counter serious danger. Those who hav
marched much at night will remembe
that the fresh air of morning almost in
/ yariably has IA cheering effect, awakening
and inyigorating the tired and drows
marchers. 1t had this effect upon ou
men, and relieved US also from the necek
sity of cropping our way.
I'VE crossed the railroad without eI
countcring opposition, and halted to fee
= the horses in sight of Camp Dennisor
: After short rest here and picket ski
: mish We resumed our march, burning |
Z this neighborhood a park of GovernmeI
: | wagons. That evening we were at Wi
[ | liamSburg % miles east of Cincinnati
: having marched, since leaving Summan
s vile, in Indiana, more than so miles i
e 50 hours-the greatest march that eve
e Morgan had ever made. Feeling con
n paratively safe here, Gen. Morgan pc
e mitted the division to go into camp an
= remain during the night"
S On all long cavalry raids, and especial
e on an expedition like Morgan's Ohio raj,
e the impressment, or exchanging of horse
{ is u military necessity. The pace thi
s Morgan had set soon wore out the Kel
I tucky horses, many of them Thorough
, breds and peculiarly adapted 10 servit
: on long and exhaustiDg expedition ini
I the enemy's country.
t Very reluctantly, even tearfully, Mo
gan's men abandoned their faithful equiI
n friends. When they 'swapped" them Il