The National tribune., 1902-01-02

ton Island, says:
''The scene in the reaF of the lines en-
gagged was one OF indescribable confusion
While the bulk of the regiments which
Gen. Morgan was drawing off moved from
the field in perfect order, there were many
etracglers from each, circling about the
valley in q delirium of fright, changing
the direction in which they gallOped with
every shell that whizzed or burst near
them. The long train of wagons and am
balances dashed wildly in the only dlrec-
ton which promised escape, and becoming
locked and entangled with each other In
their flight, many were upset, and terri
fed horses broke loose from them and
plunged wildly through the mass. Some
of them, striving to make their way out OF
The valley at the northern end, ran foul OF
the section of howitZers attached to John
sons Brigade, and guns and wagons were
rolled headlong into the steep ravine. DC
Casionally Il solid shot or shell would strike
q wagon and bowl it ever like tumbled
ten-pin. All this shelling did little dam
age, and probably not more than 70 men
were killed by the musketry, the enemy
losing about the same number; but the dis
play of force against us, the cross fire and
our lack of ammunition seriously dIsheart-
ened the men, already partially demoral-
izcd hy the great and unrcnittIng fatigue.
1.-THE left flank Of my line between
which and the river there was an interval
of at least 300 yards, was completely
turned the 9th Ky. being almost surround
cd. This regiment, commanded by Mai.
William Bullitt. an officer of calm and per
feet bravery, behaved nobly, standing the
heavy attack of the enemy like baShon.
At length, seeing that Gen. Morgan had
successfully withdrawn from the Yaliey
with the remainder of the division, Col.
Johnson and myself determined upon con-
suitation, to withdraw simultaneously.
''The men were remountcd without con-
fusion and retreated in column of fOurs
from right of companies, and for quite
mile in perfect order The 9th hy. FORMED
10 the rear into line three times, and with
empty guns kept the pursuing cavalry at
bay. However when we approached the
other end of the valley and saw that there
were only two avenues of escape, the men
broke ranks and, rushed for them. In
moment each was blocked. The gunboats
sought TO rake these roads with grape and.
although they aimed too high to inffict
much injury, the hiss of the dreaded mis-
siIes increased the panic. The 9TH Mich.
soon came up and dashed pell-mell among
the fugitiveS. Col. Smith. Capt. Campbell,
Capt Thorpe, myself, and some 50 other
officers and men were forced by the charge
of this regiment into ravine on the left
of the road and soon afterward captured.
Cant Thorpe at an earlier date, had saved
me from capture, ultimately to share my
fate.
"About 700 prisoners We're taken from
us ia this fight. Among the officers cap
tured were Col Ward, Col. Dick Morgan,
I1ieut.-Co Huffman, who was severely
wounded, and Majs. Bullock and Bulttt.
fOn the next day, the 20th. the prisoners
mentioned above were marched down the
river bank, some 10 miles, to the transport
which was TO take them to Cincinnati, and
ef.n ctr Yra1 off
aboard OF her.
81 portion of the 9Th Tenn. had been
put across the river, in small hat, before
the fight fairly commenced. and these men,
commanded by Capt. kirkpatrick, impress
ed horses and made their escape. Col.
Grigsby and Capt. Byrnes also crossed
the river at Burlington and escaped.
''Between ], 100 and / 200 men retreated
with Gen Morgan, closely pursued by
Hobson's cavalry, the interchangeable VOL
ford. as usual, in the lead.
"Some 800 OF the command crossed the
river at point about 20 miles above Buff
fington. Here, Col. johnson and his staff
swan the river but two or three of the
latter were drowned III the attempt.
MORGAN WOULD NOT DESERT HIS
COMMAND.
Tie arrival of the gunboats prevented
the entire force from crossing. Gen. Nor
gan had gained the middle of the river.
ard. having u strong horse, ccnld
have reached the other shore with
out difficulty, but seeing that the bulk of
his command would be forced to remain
ON the Ohio side, he returned to it From
this time. for six days, it was a continual
race and scramble. That men could have
endured it, after the previous eKhausting
marches. is almost incredible.
''Ihe brigades were re0rganized, Col.
C4uke being placed in command OF the
Iat ~. .f.as. of tis.s. Irgf nala
brigade not more than 400 strong. The
bold Ciuke' had need Of all his yigor and
audacity in these six days of trial. 1t is
impossible for the reader to appreciate the
true condition in which these soldiers were
placed. Worn down by tremendous and
long sustained eXertion, encompassed by
multitude Of foes, and fresh ones spring
ing up in their path at every mile, a.
lowed no rest. but driven on night and
day: attacked, haTTassed, Intercepted at
every moment; disheartened by the disas
fers already suffered, il required great
nerve. energy and resolution to struggle TO
the very last against capture Mai. Web
Der. commanding the Old Regulars had
hong been suffering from painful and eN-
hauSting disease, and when hc started 4
upon the raid he could not climb into his
saddle without assistance: hut he could
not endure the thought of not accompany
iue the expedition. He was one of the
very best officers III the Confederate cav
airy. aud his ideas of duty Mere almost
fanatical. Al through the long march,
hc rode AT the head of the Regulars
without nuI1nur escaping his lips 10 tel
of the pain that paled his manly face but
could not bend his erect form: an officer
describing his umiiinching steadiness. call
ed him the Iron Man
CONSTANTLY PRESSED ny THE FEDERALs
'Once. when there seemed leisure for
il. Gen. Morgan called council of his
officers. White il was in session. the
enemy were sBsjrnIshing with both the ad-
vance and rear guards, and were upon
both flaHks. \ bullet struck within two
inches of the Generals head while he was
cOurjeously listening ~ opinion. When
the council was closed Gen. Morgan
moved the column back toward 'Blenner-
hasSeIts Island where he had previously
attempted 10 cross the river. Although he
was not marching on the main road.
clouds of dust marked his course, and also
that OF his enemies, and in that way the
exact position Of all the columns was
known to each. That night Morgan
halted with bold mountain on one side
of him and the enemy on the remaining
three sides. His pursuers evidently
thought that the morning would witness
his surrender, they making no effort TO
compel him to yield that evening. But
when the night had fairly fallen and the
camplires of his foes were burning bright
ly. lac formed his men Dartiully aSceudad