The National tribune., 1903-12-10

pike, and the Scottsville and Gallatin, to
Nashville, Crittenden's Corps being in ad-
vance, a portion of it on each road.
MORGAN IN AMBUSH.
''If a path be dangerous known,
The dangers self is lure alone.
Determining to harass Rosecrans's ad-
vance division on the Louisville and Nash
vile road by firing upon it from ambush
Morgan selected 200 men for the enter
prise. Anticipating much congenial ex,
element on such an expedition, every field
officer in the brigade wanted to 90. The
chief at first was obdurate, but after per-
sistent solicitation, he permitted Duke and
Gano to accompany him. leaving HutchIn-
son in command of the remainder of the
brigade at Gallatin-greatly to that OIL
GERS disgust.
Reaching the neighborhood of Tyree
Springs, where the Federals were en-
camped, Morgan quietly awaited the COM
ing dawn, and at daybreak. Nov. ), placed
his men in ambuscade on hill, about 10
yards from the road. The position was
not altogether a favorable one for doing
execution. DuL Illeu were W
aim low. The Federal army soon came
marching on, and, presumably. having had
a good breakfast, and being exhiiarated by
the fresh l:aorning air. they were merry
with Jest and song. An unsuspecting SUIT
ler's wagon. leading the advance, was per-
mitted to pass unmolested, the Morgan
men looking upon it sorrowfully ana Wist,
fully. Then came an advance-guard OF
cavalry. followed by the infantry. rolling
along in steady column. When the head
of the Federal column came within close
range of Morgan's position his line arose
and fred. The enemy recoiled, but soon
rallied and charged the hill. They also
brought up artillery. The tight that then
ensuei was spirited but brief, Morgan
Withdrawing to strike across the country
and gain the rear of the column. He had
lost one man killed. The Confederates
never satisfactorily learned what loss the
enemy suffered. Many reports came TO
them. some of which must have been great
ly exaggerated.
MARROW ESCAPES.
Says Duke: I'VE struck the road again
some three miles north of Tyree Springs.
Posting the greater part of his force in
woods on the side of the road, Morgan
took Lieut.. Quirk and two or three others
some distance up the pike. where they oc-
cupied themselves in picking up stragglers,
which were sent back TO the main body
to be placed under guard. In this way
some 40 or 80 prisoners were taken. Sud
denly Stokes regiment came up the road
from toward Tyree Springs and drove the
detachment that was Immediately on the
road, about 80 men, back to the main
body, thus cutting off Morgan and his
party. Couriers were Immediately sent to
him. warning him of his danger, but they
failed to reach him. He was returning,
however, about that time, and quickened
: his pace when he heard a few shots fired.
He was bringing back some 10 or II pris-
oners, and suddenly rode right into the
Federal regiment. When halted and ques-
toned, he unhesitatingy stated that he
was a Federal Colonel, that his regiment
was not far off, and that the prisoners with
him were men he had arrested for strag-
Cling. His questioners strongly doubted
his story, saying that his raiment was un-
like any they had ever seen worn by Fed
eral Colonels; that they knew rebels Of
ten wore blue clothes, but they had never
heard of Federal officers wearing gray.
The prisoners, who knew him, and never
doubted that he now would be captured in
his turn, stood and grinned, listening to
the conversation, but said nothing. Nor
gan suddenly pretended to grow angry
and said that he would bring his regiment
loped away, Quirk following him. Be
fore an effort could be made to stop them,
they leaped their horses over the fence,
and rode at full speed across the country.
In the course of an hour they rejojned us.
and relieved our minds Of very grave ap-
prehensions.
1T is probable that no other man than
Morgan, in such a situation, would have
escaped death OF capture; but his presence
of mind and address, in the midst of
great and imminent danger, We're literally
perfect. / have known many similar es-
capes, where the chances were not SO des-
perate; in every case but this, however,
there was some circumstance to intimi-
date or mystify the enemy. On this oc-
casion every circumstance was adverse
to him. He could expect no res
cue from his friends. for We had
managed so badly that the enemy had
gotten between him and u.s. He was dress
ed in full Confederate uniform. The
enemy knew that a Confederate force was
near by, and it was reasonable to sup
pose that he was all officer of that party.
The prisoners were there to tell on him.
He had nothing whatever to depend upon
but the agdacity and address that never
failed him, anG quality even higher than
courage. l can describe it only as the
faculty of subjecting every one to his will.
whom he tried to influence.
THE prisoners, so or GO in number,
were paroled and started back to Ken
lucky Dy route which wonld enable them
to avoid meeting detachments of their own
army. Returning. we encamped that night
about seven miles from Gallatin.''
MORE TIGHT PLACES.
When Morgan left Col. Hutchinson in
command at Gallatin, he knew that
Woods and Van Cleve's Divisions were
marching toward the place. and know
Ing Hutchinson's indisposition to avoid
battle, he cautioned him not TO make
a hight, if the enemy should ap-
prOach in heavy force upon two
or more roads. Morgan was somewhat
uneasy. He knew Hutchinson would be
ylgilant. but. knowing his proneness to
light under any circumstances, he had his
mlsgivings and, therefore, reluctantly per-
mitted Duke and Gan0 TO accompany him
on his "ambushing expedition" to Tyree
Springs; and, sure enough. Hutchinson
suffered himself to be ''caught in a predica-
ment."
The enemy threatened Gallatin OIL three
sides during the night, but the valiant
commandment refused TO retire. In the
morning, however, the Federal demonstra-
tion became so formidable, that even
Hutchinson, for once, recognized the fact
that there are occasions when discretion
is the better part of va!or He discreetly
sent the brigade toward Lebanon. and to
cross the Cumberland. but, as usual, lie tar
ried behind TO have "a little fun retain
ing with him the advance guard of Dukes
regiment, of which he was Lieutenant
Colonel, and the howitzers Maj. Aston
and Breckenridge, ever ready for adyen-
ture. voluntarily joined him. He planted
the howitzers upon an eminence within
range OF the town. and opened Upon an in
.aniry regiment when it turned into the
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