The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-10-01

n ILL.,
Morgan. asking him how many men were
commanded by Morgan, they at the same
time remarking that the mischief he was
doing could be accounted for upon no other
supposition than that he had control OF
large force. Wood answered, also In con
fidence q that, although he had co-operat-
ell with Morgan for two or three weeks,
he was entirely ignorant of the strength
of his command: that while he was cog
INFANT of all that occurred under Morgans
immediate supervision, he was frequent
ly astonished by hearing from his Chief
accounts of enterprises which had Deeh
undertaken by his orders in quarters re-
mote from where he was in person operat-
ing. Wood saw the impression that pre-.
vailed among the Federal officers and
shaped his .'confdentiar' answers to con-
firm them in their belief. The real truth
was that at that time there were not IN
the vicinity of Nashville more than 3OO
Confederate soldiers. Of this number
Morgan could control only his own squad
ron and the so men with Wood, although
others, stragglers and furloughed men
from the Texas Rangers, Starne's, Nc
Nairy's and other cavalry regiments often
Joined him, enjoying the activity and ex-
citement of his peculiar expeditions.
Many of the Federal soldiers killed
around Nashville, and whose deaths were
charged to Morgan's men, were, IN reality,
killed By the so-called Independent Parti-
sans. most of them men living in the
neighboring country.
GEN. Mitchell ANGRY.
When Morgan's flag of truce party, just
mentioned, arrived at the Federal picket
line, it was met by an expedition consist
ing of infantry, cavalry and artillery, en-
route for Murfreesboro with the intention
of capturing or dispensing Morgan's ina
~, Of tta
truce flag was announced to Gen. Mitch
ell he became very angry and declared that
he believed Morgan had obtained informa-
tion of his plans and had resorted to the
ruse of the truce flag to Illustrate them.
The General was too good a soldier not
to know that Morgan's action was perfect
~ legitimate, but it made him mad all the
same. Gen. Mitchell was also aware that
he could not blame Morgan for having
been permitted to go far enough to see
what he wished to conceal. 1t is the right
and positive duty Of an officer in charge
of a flag of truce to so as far as he is per-
mitted. Gen. Mitchell could have refused
to receive Morgan and his flag, and had he
so chosen, he could have ordered it back.
Gen. Mitchell seems to have had great
confidence in the success of his expedition,
if it had not been met and checked by
Morgan's flag. Morgan's friends, and
Morgan himself, however, doubted wheth-
er Gen. Mitchell, accomplished officer, and
profound strategist that he was, would
have succeeded in the object of his move
nent, even if the untoward incident of
the truce flag had not interviewed. He was
going to travel by daylight through coun-
try full of Morgan's friends, and upon a
road constantly watched by his scouts. Un-
der such circumstances he could hardly
have surprised Morgan sufficiently to cap
ture him, but, of course, he was strong
enough to drive him away from Murfrees-
boro, in which event, however, Morgan
would simply, within brief period, show
up" again at some other place at an unex-
pected time. There was much facetious
talk among Federals and Confederates re-
garding Morgan's ascertaining by flag of
truce that Gen. MitchePs army was going
to capture him. / think myself that Gen.
Mitchell was justifable in letting his an
CRY passions rise.
FAIR LAND.
'Where smiling Spring its earliest visit
And parting Summers lingering blooms
delayed
The country around Nashville, in which
Morgan mace himself famous as q parti-
san ranger, is region of unsurpassed pro-
ductiveness, teeming with every crop that
the agriculturist may desire to cultivate
pEODdDIs Inc IuOSl ltIllie anu wealthy
portion of famed Middle Tennessee. 1t
is indeed a beautiful land, especially when
"The bloom is on the alder
And the tassel ON the corn"
The fine turnpikes, dense growtbs of
timber, cedar glades, springs and small
watercOurses, made ii an ideal country, for
the operations of partisan cavalry. Nor
CAMS men found in it, everywhere, sup
plies for themselves and horses, the gener-
GUS citizens Withholding nothing that
would conduce to their comfort and pleas
ure.
CAPTURE OF GALLATIy.
Having received orders to follow and re-
join the army, Morgan determined, day
or two after the flag of truce episode, TO
make an incursion in a new field, desiring
to deepen the impression on the minds OF
some of the Federals, at least, concern
ing his ubiquity.
The little town of Gallatin is about eigh;
miles due north of the Cumberland River,
on the Louisville & Nashville railroad.
30 miles from Nashville, and by the mosl
direct route, 30 miles from Murfreesboro.
The town, at that time, was of no military
Importance, except in minor way-iI
being Immediately upon the line of com
munication between Louisville and Nash
vile, the roads from Kentucky, the rail
road and the telegraph running through it.
Morgan resolved to rapidly make the
march of 30 miles, necessary to transfer
his command from the southeast to tho
northeast side of Nashville. and, if posi-
bic, occupy Gallatin and hold it some two
or three days, his Interior object being tc
place himself in telegraplic communic:l-
ZION with the Federals at Louisville and
Nashville. Leaving Murfreesboro at moor
he passed through Lebanon late in tho
afternoon, and went into camp near tia
place at night. Early the next morning
he crossed the Cumberland at Cano,
Branch Ferry, and by 10 o'clock had
reached Gallatin, which fortunately ht
found ungarrisoned. With the exccptio:
of a clerk or two in charge of unimpor
tant military stores, and the telegraph
operator, the people were his friends. Til.
town and environs had a reputation TO.
good cheer and upon this occasion Their,
were brought forth, as if by magic, al
kinds of substantial and dainty food
Floral offerings, also, appeared in bewild
ering array.
MORGAN AND THE TELEGRAPH OPERATOR
Accompanied by Lieut-Col Wood. Nor
gan repaired to the telegraph office, wher
the operator unquestioningly exteDde,
courteous greeting, installing Morgan 70
Federal officer, he having Introduce
himself as such. Promptly complyin;
with Morgan's request, the ''lightnin;
clerk" placed himself in communicate,
with Nashville, asking many questions o
military character, and, without della,
receiving answers to them. Having Of,
tanned the latest and most important new
from Nashville Morpa, inti,n.taH N 4,