The National tribune., 1901-12-12

from Louisville, the march being scarcely
delayed.
GEORGE ELLSWORTH.
The use of the telegraph to deceive the
enemy was a novelty in war introduced
by Morgan and a resource that often
served him in his movements. Attached
10 his staff was George A. Ellsworth, q
Canadian, | think. He was an accom-
plished telegraph operator, a genius, no.
Lightning" Tapping a telegraph line,
for instance, between Louisville and
Nashville, he would connect his own in
strument and wire with the line and take
off the dispatches. If none of interest
came his way, he would send some-hrst-
class romances, of course. If Morgan
had 1000 men, Ellsworth would grayely
inform the Federal officials that he had
1000. By telegraph he located Morgan
detachments promiscuously and had the
main column and detachments marching
in opposite directions from the true lines
of march. His work was so skillful that
it usually carried conviction, often result
ing in an amusing mystificatiOn, mislead-
ing the Federal officers. But when he
was so fortunate as to capture tele-
graph office, and the operator had not run
away. he was in his glory. He would
compel the operator to send some simple
message. Adopting his style of tele-
graphing, and his name as WELL he would
soon be sending fiction right and left, re-
ceiving in return true stOries'-valuable
inf0rmation-much to Gen. Morgan's edi-
after having used the telegraph Office at
Somerset, KY, TO his entire satisfaction,
he concluded before leaving to have a lit
tie fun. He sent complimentary dis
patches TO various Federal officers, the
great editor, Geo. ID. Prentice, and others,
winding up with u general order to Ken
tucky operators:
Headquarters, Telegraph Dept. of Ky.
Confederate States of America.
General Order No. l.
When an operator is positively in
formed that an enemy is marching on his
station, he will Immediately proceed 30
destroy the telegraph instruments and all
material in his charge. Such instances of
carelessness as were exhibited on the part
of the operators at Lebanon, Midway and
Georgetown will be severely dealt with
by order of
&c. A Ellsworth,
military Supt., c. S. Telegraphic Dept"
When Morgan captured the train he
tween BardstOwn and Salt River Bridge
Ellsworth took possession Of the tele-
graph Office and sent a fey rOmances TO
Louisville, receiving in return the intelli-
gence that Morgan was confidently ex-
pected to visit that city.
MORE DETACHATENTs.
While halted, two or three hours, neal
Salt River Bridge, Gen. Morgan detached
Capts. Merriwether and Taylor, and sent
them in advance to capture boats anG
have them in readiness TO transport the
troops across the river at Rrandenburg
40 miles below Louisville Capt. Davis
AdjutantGeneral of Dukes Brigade, was
assigned to the command of a squadron
and directed to proceed to Twelve-Milt
Island, above Louisville capture neces
sary transports, cross the river and "sti
up the natives" and Home Guardians il
that section of the HoOsier State, divert
ing attention, as much as possible, from
MOrgan's main movement, and TO rejoiI
the column at Salem, Ind, about 45 mile
due north of Brandenburg.
On July Z the invaders marched direct
ly west to Garnettsville, equi-distant iron
BraEdenburg and Salt River-about i
miles. Morgan permitted his comman
10 rest at Garnettsville until midnigh,
when the march was resumed, the entir
column reaching Brandenburg at 8 e. m
July s. AT first rather dense fog pre-
vented the Morgan aGyenturers from oil
tanning a clear view of the promise
land" and the Home Guardians ''ove
there"
Capts. Sam Taylor and Clay Merri
wether, detached for that purpose. ha
been signaly successful in securing trans
ports. Gen. Morgan was delighted I
find that his two shrewd and gallant ennis
saries had so faithfully executed his Ol
ders. They awaited him at the whar
with two good steamboats,, one of theI
having been found and captured at tn
wharf With that boat they went on
short cruise, finding and capturing tn
other.
CAPT. TOM HINES.
I1nexpectedly, Gen. Morgan found q
kpdenburg Capt. Thomas IL. Hine:
had been absent from the comman
May. Illness personal appearance
Exceedingly youthful and inoffensive