The National tribune., 1903-12-03
g. MORGAN LINGER IN KENTUCKY.
"And bark again! some pipe of war.
Sends the bold pibroch from afar.

cient Col. AShby m charge Oh ueh.
Smiths rear-guard, and, with character
istic confidence in his own resources Gu
loose from the army and boldly marchea
back to the ever attractive undulary fields
Of Central Kentucky, his first objective
point being Lexington. His command
consisted of the regiments of Duke and
Gano, and Breckinridge's battalion-about
1900 men, Clukes and Chenaults regi-
ments having accompanied Gen. Smith
This dash of Morgan's was wholly un-
expected by the Federals who, very ma
turally. were under the impression that all
(. Confederates were endeavoring to get out
Of Kentucky as rapidly as possible. and by
the shortest route.
In the movement towards Lexington,
Morgan sent Gano and Breckiuridge by
way of the Richmond pike, while he him
self accompanied Duke, marching by
country roads. both divisions having start
ed from Gum Springs about / p. m. Lieut..
Tom Quirk had been scouting in the vicin-
ity Of Lexington. and reported that the
city was garrisoned by regiment of cav
airy and that Gen. Granger was at Paris.
Is miles distant.
PERsoNATING woLFORD.
Morgan and Duke crossed the Kentucky
= River below Clay's ferry, and found
themselves in a part of the State with
which neither they nor any of their men
were familiar. It was dark and guide
was a necessity. The Confederates
i, learned, in some way, that they We're in
land of Union sympathizers, and by
reason Of that fact they anticipated some
difficulty in securing the services OF a
guide upon whom they could confidently
rely. Morgan, resourceful as usual. rode
to the nearest house, where he smillngiy
introduced himself as Col. WOlford."
knowing, of course, that the gallant Wol-
ford was an eminently popular officer in
any Union section of Kentucky. The gen.
ing, and when informed that "WOlford's s
cavalry was in urgent need of guide to
Lexington. he promptly announced his
readiness and willingness TO act as guide
himself Col. WOlford warmly ap-
plauded the good citizens loyal spirit and
gratefully accepted his services. The
guide knew the country so well that by
taking short cuts' he arrived at point
within three miles of the city, and about
mile from the Federal encampment,
shortly after midnight. Morgan then
halted and awaited daylight, Gano and
Breckenridge having been instructed to at
tack at that time.
THE GUIDE HoRRIFIED.
All along the march, "Col. Wolfords"
obliging conductor, riding by his side, had
been entertainingly loquacious, and Vol
ford" to encourage him, adroitly led him
to express his opinion regarding Morgan.
His remarks concerning that chieftain
were decidedly uncomplimentary. some of
them even vituperative. "WOlfOrd" was
amused, and occasionally interjected GEN.
tence, to make the speaker stick to his
text''-''the outrageous doings OF Morgan
and his men," When the command halted
near Lexington. Morgan had no further
use for a guide, and no hesitancy IN re-
veaIing his identity to him who had been
his "elose friend in the darkness Of the
night The horror of the guide was only
equaled by his amazement and can be bet
ter imagined than described. Laughingly
telling him that he knew he would have
no difficulty in finding his way back home,
Morgan turned him loose, and, much to
his surprise, generously permitted him to
retain his horse-a very good one.
OLD ACQuAISTANCEs.
The cavalry which Morgan was about
to attack was the 4th Ohio Cav. 'Auld
acquaintance ne'er forgot" whom the
Morgan men had frequently met on the
fitting grounds down in Tennessee. That
same 4th Ohio Cav. was now to be
taken in" The main body was at Ash
land, about two miles from the town, en-
camped in the eastern extremity of the
woods in which stands the Henry Clay
mansion, on the southern side of the Rich
mond pike. One or two companies, acting
as provost guard, We're in the town. ] tell
the story of tse serio-cOmic battle that en-
sued as / get il from Gen. Duke, he hav-
ing been prominent in the fight and ais
experience peculiar.
"As daylight approached. put my regi.
ment in motion again, detaching two com
panies TO enter the town, under command
OF Capt. Cassell and capture the provost
Il. Al. n
as Gen. Granger might possibly be march
ing from that direction. Two other COM
panies, under Capt. BOwles. We're sent TO
take position on the Richmond pike, at n
point between the town and the Federal
camp, and about equ-distant from them
This detachment was to intercept the
enemy should they attempt to retreat from
Ashland to the town before we could sur
round the encampment, also to maintain
communication between the detachment
sent into town and the main body of the
regiment, in the event of our having to
engage other forces than our friends, the
4th Ohio Cav. Having made these dis
positions, / moved the remainder of my
regiment upon the enemy's encampment.
FRIENDS MORE DANGEROUS THAN ENEMIES.
Just as We entered the woods and were
within 800 yards Of the enemy, firing was
heard upon the Richmond pike. Thinking
that Gano and Breckenridge had engaged
the Federals, we advanced at a gallop In
accordance with the plan previously ar
ranged, Breckenridge was to attack on
foot, and Gano. mounted, was to support
him. keeping his column on the pike
Breckenridge was in line and advancing
directly upon the enemy's front, and he
opened just as my men, formed in column
OF platoons, charged upon the rear. ] was
upon elevated ground, about 100 yards
from the enemys position Oh one side;
Breckenridge was about the same distance
off on the other side, the 4th Ohio Cav.
boys being in a slight depression between
us; therefore I received the benefit of
Breckinridge's fire, at least in great part
l saw a cloud OF smoke suddenly puff out
and rise like wall pierced by flashes of
flame. and the next instant the balls came
whizZing through my column, fortunately
killing no one. This volley settled the
enemy and repulsed me.
Not caring to fight both Yankees and
rebels. l wheeled my column and took
safer position further back, contenting my
self with catching the struggling prisoners
who sought 10 escape. Breckinridge. how
ever, did not enjoy his double triumph
long. The howitZers had been sent to
take position on the right Of the enemy,
to he used only in case of stubborn re-
sistance. They happened, on that occas-
ion, to be under command OF Lieut. Cor
bett, who was constituti0nally unable to
keep out Of every fight that he could pos-
sibly get into. About the time that
rtI Iua'o tat,