The National tribune., 1902-08-07

greatly outnumbered and overpowered.
The entire garrison was captured, beside
a considerable quantity of stores and Il
number Of wagons and teams.
In the course of the fight Gen. Morgan's
command, consisting then of about 200
men, got possession of the town; their
success seemed to have completely over
thrown all discipline; the right Of pri-
vate property was lost sight of; soldiers
forced their way into the bank and car
rie1 off $4,000 in gold and silver coin
and currency; private citizens in their
homes We're despoiled Of their valuables.
For a time there was reign Of terror.
This sudden lawless action Of his troops
was certainly not ordered by Gen. Nor
gan; in fact, it is quite well settled that
he knew nothing Of the robbery of the
bank until some time after the event.
Nevertheless, this act of pillage excited
the indignation Of many of his OWL Off
GERS, who looked upon it as serious re-
fection upon the entire command.
Gen. Morgan remained at Mount Sterl-
ing during May s. At night he moved
out toward Lexington with his principal
force, leaving Coils. Gitner and Martin
with their commands of infantry to mount
their men on captured horses and follow.
Gen. Burbridge without delay had found
the line of Gen. Morgan's march, and had
pursued him without pause On the even
ing of June he was within 10 miles of
Mount Sterling when he received infor-
nation from Col. Brown of the capture
Of that place and that MOrgan's forces
were still there. Gen. Burbridge ordered
an attack for o'clock on the morning Of
June 8.
Col Brown, with the 45th Ky. and the
18th Mich. Cav, had the advance, and
was to attack the camp on the left. Col
Ratliff, of the 18th Ohio Cav, with the
9th and 3gth Ky. M'td Inf. and one
battalion Of his own regiment, was to at
tack the other camp. while Col Hanson,
of the 9th Ky. with the 10th KY, two
battalions of the 18th sOhio Cav. and two
12-pounder hOwitZers, constituted the re-
serve. The attack was Il surprise, but
the Confederate forces rallied promptly
and made a rigorous defense. At the end
of two hours fighting they gave way.
These forces. however, were soon rallied
and made n heroic attack upon Gen. Bur-
bridges command and kept up the fight
for about two and half hours longer,
when they were repulsed at every point
with considerable loss. 1t was soon
learned that Gen. Morgan had moved
against Lexington the evening before.
Gen. Burbridge found that his men
were much exhausted. so he decided to
delay his march upon Lexington until the
next morning, June 10. This necessary
delay of Gen. Bnrbridges movement gave
NeI nofSdH HUNTS tHe StdTt. IL Is
miles from Mount Sterling to Lexington.
LEXINGTON LOOTED.
Gen. Morgan entered Lexington ut
dawn of day June 10 without serious re-
sistance; the garrison was small and was
unable to combat with the superior num-
| bers of the enemy. Capt. j. Baty Dick
son, Assistant Adjutant- General to Gen.
! Burbridge, and acting by his authority,
placed Col. Wickliife Cooper, 4th Ky.
Cav, in command of the garrison. Col.
| Cooper skirmished with Gen. MOrsan's
advance, but having gathered together
most OF the Government property under
the guns Of Fort Clay, drew his men into
this work and held it firmly, Gen. Nor
gan making no attempt to capture the
| works.
But the capture of Lexington was a
| great relief 10 Gen. Morgan's command
They seized about 1000 fresh horses,
with which the entire command was re-
mounted, besides securing quantities of
clothing and shoes for their men. The
Government stables and railroad depot
were burned. All of this was accom-
plished in few hours. and the General
marched away with his reunited com.
mand, not, however, until some of his
troops robbed bank, as they had done
two days before at Mount Sterling. Some
of Gen. Morgan S officers and men seemed
unable to discriminate between private
robbery for the benefit Of the individual
and the capture of horses, provisions, etc.
to supply the actual needs of the army
Gen. Morgan moved in the direction OF
Georsetown, sending detachment
against Frankfort. Morgan had not been
gone four hours before the advance guard
OF Burbridge's command entered the city