The National tribune., 1901-03-21

BISCUITS DOWN hAZOR'S TROUSERS"
Not having been with Morgan in his
earlier operations, fact that | much re-
gretted, l shall not attempt to write a
history of his deeds prior to the time when
L was transferred to his command. Some
time ago, Capt. Theodore +. Allen, Of the
Ith Ohio Cav, who followed Morgan
through Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio,
wrote and had published in THE Ma
TIoNAL TRIBUNE an admirable history of
that most famous of Morgan's raids. Fol
lowing Capt. Aliens account of the cap
ture of Morgan, l wrote detailed mar
rative of the escape of the General and
six of his officers from the Ohio prison,
which also was published in THE Ma
TIoNAL TRIBUNE.
MORGAN DEFEATS AYERILL.
Having reorganized his command, May,
1864, Gen. Morgan again turned his eyes
toward Old Kentucky
Her forests and her valleys fair
Her flowers that scent the morning air."
His merry troopers sang of the Promised
Land, a Canaan flowing with milk and
honey-the old Kentucky home. They
were longing to see loved ones, to whom
they were almost strangers. The dangers
and privatiOns that would necessarily at
tend the march were not considered
Home, home, sweet home," was the glad
refrain
Though the future was veiled
And its fortunes unknown,
We impatiently waited
Till the bugle was blown"
While we were actively preparing for
the long ride over the mountains, formid-
able barriers between us and Gods
country" we received intelligence of the
approach of Gen. Averill, who, | think.
was acting in concert with Gen. Hunter
on the noted raid TO Lynchburg. Gen.
Morgan promptly ordered the sounding of
boots and saddles" and away we went
to meet Averilrs raiders-Greek against
Greek, as it were-raidcr against raider.
Striking the main Virginia Valley turn
pike at point between Glade Spring and
Marion, and not knowing just when or
where we should meet Averiil's cavalry,
coming from the east, we formed fours
and marched rapidly toward Wytheville
Morgan, the beau sabreur, leading the
way, and his Kentuckians cheeriIy singing
the Texans song:
THE race is not to them that's got
The longest legs TO run,
Nor the battle to that people
That shoots the biggest gun"
A short distance beyond WythevilIe. at
| Crockett's farm, we "collided head on
with the enemy. In the quick, sharp tone
of voice familiar TO his men, Morgan or
dered n charge, which rolled the Federals
back in the road in much confusion. We
had about 1000 effective men, and had
somewhat the advantage, Averill evidently
not having expected us to meet him at that
place. To Morgan the unexpected" had
| not happened, and the prompt charge, en-
| livened by the ''infernal rebel yell''
seemed TO disconcert the enemy, they
| being Immediately placed on the defensive
They soon began retrograde movement
at times rallying, but the Confederates
| quickly drove them from each successive
| line of defense they attempted to estab
| lish. Virtually, it was a running fight
| lasting until night, at which time, Ayeril
being in rapid retreat, We abandoned the
| pursuit. This being Gen. Morgan's first
tight since his escape from prison, the
| signal, easily won victory, had an inspirit
| ing effect ON officers and men, and in
creased their longing for the contemplated
trip to Kentucky. Alas, we were des
tined to return from that same Kentucky
ride with dropping, torn banners, such a.
characterized Averills retreat from
Wytheville. The casualties in this figh
were not very numerous on either side
Maj. Nathan Parker, the most idolized of
ficer of the 4th Ky. Cav, was killed
When Shot he fell to his knees. waved WI hi,
sword, and feebiy cried: Charge them
my brave boysn'
An instance of grim humor was the fol
lowing:
A 18th Kentuckian" found the deac
body of one of AverilfS men, and, Will,
examining his effects" discovered a jour
nal in which the soldier had kept dali,
record OF current events. There was n,
entry for that day. The Kentuckian, de
string TO complete the record, wrote there
in: May 10, 1864. l was killed today"
A "MIsFIT' AND A FIGHT.
Henry Razor and Jerry Leggett wer
"4th Kentuckians." Razor had drawn :
new suit of butternut clothing, which, a
usual. was a misiit. The trousers, es
pecially, were ridculously ludicrous-th
waist being about four sizes too large an,
the legs apparently abbreviated for higl
water. Being in quest of square meal