The National tribune., 1903-11-19

was killed, and three seized by the bride
rcins as we went ,thrppgh them, were
induced to accompany rs as prisoners. A
few men were stir innlaro.ed when the
alarm was given. Private Conrad re-
manned and parcled them all, then fol-
lowed us through the scattered enemy. A
recruiting officer had been captured that
morning and placed in charge Of Privates
Franks and McVae. They were eating
breakfast when the, enemy entered the
town and were neafly captured. Placing
their prisoner on n .bare-backed horse.
they carried him off asross the country,
taking fences and everything else at n
gallop.
Zone Of my men swhe could not get to
his horse was captured. The enemy's
force was composed of 5he cavalry which
first entered the towns and about 400
infantry with two ,Tpieees of artillery.
After we had gottan put Of the town,
we turned and gall0ped back to it again,
to create. if possible, a diversion in favor
of the three men l supposed to be still
there. We were Immediately driven of.
however, by the infantry. AS we then
moved rapidly after the command, We
met the rear-guard, which always marched
a good distance in the rear of the column,
coming back to reinforce us. They We're
dressed in dark clothing and when they
first came in sight 1 Thought they were
a part Of the enemy which had cut us off.
They also mistook MS for the eEemy and
we charged each other at full. When
within about 80 yards of each other. and
just about to fire, a mutual recognition
fortunately prevented conflict. Soon
afterward l met Col. Hutchinson COM
ing to my relief with the command. After
we had all gone, the enemy shelled the
road Learning that Capt Castleman
had fallen back to Cynthiana, anticipat-
ing an advance of the enemy from Wal
ton, l moved the command to that place
and went into camp, whence l sent the
prisoners and the wounded to Lexington.
l remained at Cynthiana from Sept. 80
to Oct. 4. During that. time l made
several promotions which were confirmed
by an exercise of Gen. Morgan's ap-
pointing power. Thomas Franks, a pri-
vate in the Mississippi company and
member in high standing Of the advance
guard, made Captain of Co. 1. To
succeed the lamented Capt. s. D. Morgan.
Brev. Second Lieut.. VIM. Messick, of
whom great deal remains to be said,
A. Sergeant VIM. Hayes was offered his
choice of the. Captaincy of Co. b,
or the First Lieutenancy of the same COM
pany, with the privilege Of commanding
the advance guard. He unhesitatingiy
chose the latter, like the gallant man that
he was--lOving danger honestly encoun-
tered and honor fairly won.
''On the afternoon of Oct. 4, Gen. Nor
gan returned to Lexington from the
mountain campaign whittier he had been
sent to intercept Gen. G. w. Morgan in
his famous retreat from Cumberland Gap.
a general retreat from Ken
tucky, and anxious to get his command to-
gether he, with characteristic prompti-
tude, dispatched me courier, bidding me
keep careful lookout, and if cut off. to
come by way of Richmond and Lancaster.
He knew that | would be nightly exer
cised by such dispatch. l at once
moved and marched all night. Arriving
1t Lexington l saw unmistakable signs
hat the city. if not the State, was to be
hoped, however that the re- |
reat would only be temporary l ex-
pressed this hope to Gen. Morgan and |
shall never forget his hugh and bitter |
sarcasm with whiche he smoke of the re-
reat. AS he rapidly mentioned the indi- |
'ations which CONVINCED him that we were |
,oing to throw up the game without |
making serious effort to win it, my faith |
gave way and my heart sank. Morgan |
defended Bragg, however, say
ng that his course Vas perfectly consist |
mt, inasmuch as he had ,come into Ken
ucky to escape a fight, and was now
bout to go out for the. same reason, and |
hat, moreover, "a commander.in-c chief
llways did well to avoid battle. no mat
er what was the, spirit of his troops,
when be felt demoralized himself
(To be eontipued)