The National tribune., 1901-12-05


of the woodland cantonments into the
road
"Yet more! yet more, how fair arrayed
They file from out the hawthorn shade,
And sweep so gallant by!
With all their banners bravely spread,
And all their armor flashing high"
Now. here comes Gen. Morgan, fol-
lowed by a glitteIing train of well-mount-
ed staff officers. The men cheer. su-
perbly mounted, the General rides to the
front, hat in hand, bowling and smiling
his appreciation OF the tiattering ovation.
Perhaps no General, North or South, sur
paSSed Gen Morgan in the striking pro-
portion and grace of his person, and the
ease and gracefulneSs of his equestrian
ism. Always tastefully and handsomely
dressed, and having the air and manner
of a cultivated and polished gentleman
his appearance was ever strikinGly at
tractiye Marching from Alexandria to
the Cumberland. crossing the river near
Rome, Morgan went into camp two or
three miles beyond, near the Carthage
and HartsyiIle turnpike. Adhering to his
custom of avoiding no combat, when ad-
vancing, where he could reasonably ex-
pect, victory, Gen. Morgan planned to at
tack the Fedcrals fortified at Carthage.
THE FIRST FRUITS.
While tarrying near the Carthage
uartsvile road, Morgan learned that the
st0r-route mail. guarded by a small es-
cort, passed that way two or three times
n week. 1t was also said that plethoret-
icaIly loaded suffers wagons frequently
accompanied the mail. availing them
selves of the protection Of the military
escort OF course, the Confederates could
not let a good thing like thar pass a9-
moleSted and unappropIlated. Col Naro,
with two or three companies OF his regt-
ment. moved TO within 20 yards of the
turny,ike at a point some Two
miles from the encampmeut and probably
eight from Carthage, and quietly awaated
the coming of the expected cavalcade. de
had not long to wait. AT the twilight
hour the vehicle carrying the mail, sew
eral suffers wagons, and an escort about
so OF 100 strong meTTily, unsuspecungiy
and unguaroedly came, marching along
When the procession came opposite
Wards position, within easy range, IN
stentorian voice he ordered his men 70
fire. The unexpected hostile voice, sud
denly indicating danger, amazed and ter
rifed the cavalcade, which momentarily
halted. The second volley from the mys-
terious Confederates dispersed them m all
directions IN great confusion. Not shot
was fred by the escort, not bugie note,
not drum was heard, the soldier guard
seemingly caring little for the security OF
declining to sacrifice themselves in an ef-
fort to protect avaricious suffers from
spoiation by Morgan's wicked cavalry
men. Nearly all of the escort got away,
the mail and suffers wagons, however,
falling an easy prey to the rapaclous reb-
els. In a corner Of one OF the wagons
was found corpulent, speechiessly-
alarmed sutler. who indicated by signs
that q bottle he was carrying concealed
should be placed to his lips. The sutler
was revived, and the Confederates testi-
fed their joy thereat by becoming more
or less exhilarated themselves.
MORGAN REcRossEs THE CUMBERLAND.
That same evening Morgan was in
structed by Bragg not to attack Car
thage but instead to march rapidly TO
Monticello, in Kentucky, south of the
Cumberland and east of Burkesvllle, to
intercept a raiding force of Federals
which had entered East Tennessee and
was threatening Knoxville. Promptly
the Cumberland, but heavy rain falling,
and his line of march being through an
exceedingly rugged country, he was Sc
riously delayed, arriving at Albany three
days late, the enemy having already
passed out of East Tennessee by way Of
jamestown.
a HAZARDOUS CROSSING.
There was a vexatiOus delay on the
south side of the Cumberland, retardlng
the northward march. Dukes Brigade
was encamped along the river from Op-
posite Burkesville to Irish Bottom, and
Johnsons Brigade was in Turkeyneck
Bend some - miles in direct line from
BurkesvilIe. There they remained three
or four days awaiting the arrival Of Gen.
Morgan. who, becoming impatient at the
non-aT1iral of expected supplies and am
munition, had gone to McMinnyille to
hurry them forward.
Twelve miles distant on the other side
of the river, at Marrowbone, was Judah's
cavalry. recently moved thither from
Glasgow. The river was at flood tide,
n rushing torrent OF water. OF course,
there were no fords anywhere. Many a
commander more timorous and less reso-
lutte than Morgan would have hesitated to
cross a swollen river in the face of On
ensmy.
The story of the crossing of the Cum
berland, which began on July 2, is best
told by Gen. Duke, who commanded one
of the two brigades. From data that he
has kindly placed in my hands quote:
"The First Brigade had, with which TO
cross the men, their accOuterments and
artillery, only two crazy little flats that
seemed ready TO sink under the weight of
ii single man, and two or three canoes,
igate in pacific waters, much more diff
cut in q turbid stream Col. johnson
was not even so well provided. The First
Brigade crossed at Burkesyille and
Scots Ferry, two miles above, Johnson
crossing at Turkeyneck Bend.
''Nidets posted at intervals along the
river bank would have given Gen. Judah
timely information of this bold crossing
and he would have been enabled to strike
md crush or capture the whole force
But he depended upon the swollen river
10 deter Morgan. forgetting that Morgan
invariably did that which was least e1
pected of him.
''As soon as Gen. Morgan learned Of
the strange supineness and lack Of yigi
lance of his foe. he FASTENED the crossing
of the river. About or 3 p. m. the en-
emy began to threaten both brigades, bu
did not advance with determination. The
9Th ky. and 9th Tenn. had all crossed a
BurkesvIlle by this time, and portions o.
the other regiments were also across, al
well as two pieces Of artillery. Gen
Morgan found this force, and led il 4
attack the enemy threatening Burkes
vile. He placed a portion OF it in am
bush at a point about Il mile from tn
town, and when the head of the Fedora
column approached fired volley tha
made it recoii. Then charging. he drov
the enemy back in confusion, never pei
uniting them TO halt until they reache
their encampment at MarrOwbOne. ii
attacked the camp, but was Tepulsed b
the artillery and reserve forces there"
This prompt and bold movement o
AfNrss4n ole had fh. aTa - pa1i in