The National tribune., 1903-12-10

happy when he found the adyance-guard-
the flower of his regiment-and his pet
hOwitZers safe. Morgan and the whole
party then turned toward the Cumberland
crossing it at ford lower down than
where the brigade had crossed, and that
afternoon, Nov. 8. the greater part of the
brigade encamped near Lebanon on the
Murfreesboro pike.
From this date until December, Nor
gan's command was kept very busy.
Rosecrans had occupied Nashville, and
manifested desire to learn how matters
stood outside. The consequence was that
Morgan was in daily combat with some
part of the Federal army. Detachments
of his command were continuously scout
ing and skirmisliing, and a number of ex-
petitions, more or less fortunate, were I'M
der.aken. A number of prisoners were
taken. they being brought in from some
quarter every day. OF the innumerabIe
scouts, one is especially deserving of men.
ton.
Maj Breckenridge had driven force
of Federals from Lebanon and followed
at some distance out the Hartsville pike
Breckinridge sent a scouting party com
manded by Serg't Mccormick to find
where the enemy had halted. Billy Pey.
ton. one of Morgan's little orderlies, who
had killed an officer and brought off lis
horse and pistol, day or two before, i'm
pany Mccormick. and as he was q boy of
fascinatingly persuasive manner. he was
allowed to so along as a sort of military
adviser" The party went through the
woods and found the Federals encamped
on the river bank Is miles from Lebanon.
Returning by the main road, the scouting
party encountered videt, about half
mile from the camp This videt answered
questions freely and satisfactorily. He
said the picket base was only a short dis
tance off. farther out the road, he having
been on duty between it and the camp. He
also said that all the pickets had been
notified that scouting party would short
~ leave the camp and pass through them
on that road. Mccormick at once deter
mined, Billy Peyton concurring. that his
squad should represent that Federal scout
ing party. Carrying the prisoner with
him, a man tightly gripping his throat to
prevent his making any inopportune dis
closures, Mccormick and Peyton rode
throngh tie pickets, receiving and return
ing their salutes.
In the latter part of November. Col.
Clnke and Chenault. with their regiments,
reJoined the brigade. Mai. Robert
Stoner's battalion was transferred from
Marshalfs brigade TO Morgan. About the
same time, the men of the 'old Squad
ron, who had been captured at the ia
nous Lebanon Races" also returned
they having been exchanged after being
in captivity seven months. When they
had last seen Morgan's command IL was
less than half a regiment. 1t was now q
brigade, composed of five regiments and
two battalions.
QUIRK's SCOUTS.
There were about 60 of these exchanged
men, members of the "Old Squadron. !"
ana Morgan now organized them into a
H.
regiment: Lieut.. Thomas Onirk was as
promoted to Captaincy and appointed TO
command them, they being thereafte
known as "Quirk's Scouts" They were
young fellows, intelligent. and ever ready
10 engage iE any enterprise, however
arduous or hazardous it might be. Their
service under Quirk was similar, in many
respects, to that which they nerformad
when they were in the "Old Squadron. !"
commanded by Capt Morgan. However
they were not always engaged in scouting
expedition. Often when Morean's com.
mand was hotly engaged, 'Quirk's Scouts"
were to De found in the midst of the fray.
Capt. Quirk, as l remember him, was
small, attenuated young fellow. his an
pearance being decidedly boyish and sur.
gestIve OF daredevil spirit. A bundle of
zones, nerves and sBews, he was quick
ana restless in manner, and capable Of
great endurance. Being absolutely INNER
yious to fear, his gaHantry was superb
Upon one occasion, he got into sight
place., the story of which is briefly re-
lated by lone who was there"
Captains Quirk and Davis. the latter
Col Breckinridge's aid, started ont ON
what they called fancy trip Meeting
Federal cavalry, they unhesitatingly
charged them. The enemy had prepared
an ambuscade, which Quirk's men saw I'm
time to avoid, but Quirk himself, Davis
and Tom Murphy, being splendidIy mount
ed, were some distance ahead of the men,
and rode right into the ambuscade with
out seeing it, or suspecting its existence
They galloped through the gantlet of fire
-Quirk unhurt, Davis wounded and can
tured, and Murphy escaping with what
he called a HI of a jolt the Jolt be-
ing the butt Of a musket in his stoma ch. !"
AT another time, Quirk dashed through
battalion of cavalry which was dis
mounted and formed across the road.
Having gone through unsca thed, he turned
and charged through them again, but this
time, riding with his head bent low, he
caught two balls on the of his Uranium,
which, coming from different directions,
traced neat and accurate angle upon his
scalp. The wounds were not serious, but
they would have stunned most men. How
ever, a head that had been built in County