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

When time has sufficiently elapsed
between the day that men made his
tory and wrote it, and the coming Of
the historical romances, then will
deeds of imaginary heroes of these
writers of fiction revolve around the
standards of Morgan and his men,
the great partisans and raiders from
the Bluegrass Of Kentucky. OF the
careers of all the great riders Of the
South, Morgan's was without question
the most daring and romantic, around
whom will ever be woven web of
romance, by the writer's Of song and
story of the future.
With the exception of Kentucky the
sentiments of the two Sections, were
so closely defined, so clear cut, the
armies so near in touch that there
was little room between for romantic
incidents or partisan events. It was
all real, and stern war. But with
Morgan and his troopers it were diff
ferent. In that State, and especially
in Morgan's own section, the people
were about equally diveded between
secession and loyalty to the old In
ion. His command being semi~inde-
pendent, ranging over vast areas of
territory, sometime in front of the
enemy, most often on their flank and
rear, his daring exploits will give fine
play to the Imagination and pen of
romance writer's.
His was not band of mere guer-
rillas like Quantrell's in Missouri, nor
Mosby's in the Shenandoah valley,
watching the outpost for Lee, but an
army, at times from three to five
thousand strong, and these men, he
led through his native State, and his
banner with an army behind it, was
the only one that ever foated beyond
the Ohio, he overran and ravaged two
of the most populous States of the
North. He was, without scarcely an
exception. always within a hostile
country, where an enemy forever
lurked. He crossed great rivers, at
places unknown before as passable,
plunging through mountain fasteness-
es where the dreaded 'bushwacker"
fired from every cliff and crag, fight
ing his way, and overcoming all OBJ
stacles, by the force of his military
genius, his indomitable will, and the
resolute prowess of his men.
Gen. John Hunt Morgan was born
in Huntsville, Ala, in 1925, the place
being named after his maternal grand
father. His father moved, while Nor
gan was quite a child, to Kentucky,
and chose as his home the Bluegrass
section of that State At nineteen
years of age We find young Morgan
in Mexico, lieutenant in the famous
Kentucky Rifles commanded by
Col. Humphrey Marshall. After the
end of that war, Morgan entered COM
mercial pursuits in Lexington, and
continued therein, successfully, too, to
the breaking out of the War Of Saces-
sion. Then he entered the arena, for
which nature had peculiarly endowed
him. Gen. Morgan was of gay and
cheerful disposition, sanguine and dar-
ing, even beyond the point OF prudence,
dependency and depression, even in
the most critical moments of his life,
we're foreign to his nature. He had
nerves of steel, great powers of dis
elimination, could change his plans OF
attack or retreat, with lightning
swiftness, and perfect confidence. In
personal appearance he was as
civilian, handsome, as an othcer ne
was simply superb, his carriage and
demeanor, as perfect as soldier bred.
His eyes were small, penetrating,
rather than piercing, Of a greyish blue
color, and had the powers to win the
confidence of men, without an effort,
and stir their blood at will.
On the wrole he was the gay, de-
honaire leader ~ the most dashlng
and carefree horsemen the world mas
even seen. the dread Of his enemies,
the pride of his countrymen, and the
idol of the South's womanhood.
When the South asserted her rights
and the trumpet blast Of war was
enc 1itable. it was naturally believed
that on account Of associations, kin
5rod blood, identity Of ideas and com