The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1910-11-15

go with her sister States of the |
South. But unlike Virginia, she hesi-
tated, hoping that she might remain
neutral, but in thus halting, hesitating
and hoping, she damned herself to the
ravages and horrors Of an internecine |
war. While all the other Southern
States were taking their places in
the ranks of Secession, and preparing |
to join their colors with that of the |
lone "Palmetto Tree" Kentucky stood
undecided, hugging the delusive hope
of neutrality. While the other States
were arming and bracing themselves
for the fray, Kentucky lay supinely
by, until her towns and cities were
garrisoned by Union troops, or "home
guards companions composed Of
men of Union sentiment. Kentucky
paid dearly for her apathy. AS the
sounds of war began to roll along the
border, thousands and thousands of
loyal KentucHans 5uck1ed on t"
loyal Kentuckians buckled on their
armor, evading the watchful eyes OF
Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston, then
farming at Bowling Green, KY. Nor
gan was detained for a short time, by
the fatal Illness of his wife, but as
soon as the sad obsequies were over,
he drew his blade for the South. He
was at that time captain of volun-
teer company Of State troops, the
Lexington Rifles" and he planned
with the most trusty of his men to
escape to the South, with their horses
and arms. This was all admirably
planned and executed without hitch.
Daily accessions were made to his
ranks, by squads and companies. He
was put at once to service in scouting
in front of Johnston, and north OF
Green river. Both North and South
were bending all their energies, to
the building up the two great armies,
which were at later day to try con-
clusions along the fields of Corinth,
eliminating in the bloody days of
Shiloh.
I will omit the many escapades of
Morgan and his men around Bowling
Green, as we'll as his daring in cover
ing Johnston'e retreat southwark !
Gen. Buell., of the Union forces was
organizing great army in Johnston's !
front. Sherman was along the foot
hills Of the Cumberland mountains, !!
while Grant was operating upon the
Cumberland and Tennessee rivers,
near their junction with the Ohio The
Confederate fortresses, Forts Henry"
on the Cumberland, and "Donaldson" !
on the Tennessee, were heavily man
ned with seige guns, and with forces |
sufficient to warrant the belief that |
they were impregnable.
But Grant with his overwL Ginning
numbers, and military genius, over
came there strongholds, capturing
them and most Of their defenders, af-
ter weeks Of assault and shelling
This opened the rivers for Grants |
gunboats, and army, to the rear of !
Johnston, and forced the Confederate |
commander to fall back, and ask for !
reinforcement, to oppose the combin-
ed armies of Buell. and Grant On his
retreat Morgan and his squadron pro-
tected the Confederate rear. So we'll !
did he accomplish this important and !
hazardous service, that he was i'm
mediately brought into notice of his
superior officers. /
Mcclellan, with the brightest off,
GERS of the East, was at this time or
ganizing and perfecting the "Grand |
Army of the Potomac" to oppose the
army of Northern Virginia, to be
commanded later by Lee, The object
in the East was the capture of Rich !
mond, that of the West, the cutting
in twain the Southern Confederacy, or
driving Johnston's army to the Gulf. !
The latter would have been far more !
fatal to the South, than the former,
for with our railroad connections sew
cred, the armies of the South could not
have lived a month. So the greatest |
of efforts on the side Of each nation
were put forth, to accomplish the OBJ
jects, for which these mighty armies
were concentrated. The Union army
Of the West was commanded by such !
men as the cautious and painstaking
Gen. Carlos Buell., the relentless Sher- !
man, the accomplished and knightly |
Lew Wallace, immortalized as the |
author of Ben Hur," the bold and /
rugged Grant, to be in latter years
as the victor of ADDOmattOX. These i