The Snyder signal. (Snyder, Tex.) 1887-????, 1912-11-08
One of Morgan's Men


$500 men at Saltville, in western Virginia and
Kirkpatrick came to him there. 1t was in April,
1864.
About May the enemy began TO advance upon
him. A heavy force of infantry cavalry and ar
tery came to. the Dublin depot, not far from
the New River bridge The Yankee cavalry,
commanded by General Averhill advanced upon
Saltville. The rest of the force was under Cen
eral Crook. The lead mines near Wytheville were
also in great danger, and communication with
Richmond was threatened. General Jenkins was
falling back before General Crook at Dublin De
pot. General Morgan placed Kirkpatrick in COM
mand Of one battalion and Captain Russell over
another, and sent them against Aver Colonel
Aston commanded the two battalions. They
advanced toward Averill, and turned in the drec-
ton of Wytheville. General Morgan followed
upon the track of the enemy TO the junction OF
the Jacksonville and Wytheville and Jefferson
and Grab Orchard roads. Averl took the Crab
Orchard road. General Morgan moved directly
through Burks garden TO Wytheville On the
nth, Morgans command reached the little town
of Wythevlle, and the terrified women and chill
dren clapped their hands with joy, The town had
once been captured by the Yankees and partly
burned, and they dreaded repetition Of the out
rage. At 3 80 p m. the Yankees engaged Colo
mel Crttenden at the gap. Morgan Immediately
put his column in motion and marched IN the d.
recton of the firing. Reaching the gap he filed
to the left, moved around the mountain and
through the skirtng woods and formed in line
on the right flank OF the enemy, occupying an
open field extending from Gtners LETT to the
mountain. The enemy Immediately Withdrew
from the mouth Of the gap and was posted upon
commanding ridge. Morgan dismounted his
men and advanced under a sharp fire from sharp
shooters On his men swept at a doublequck,
driving the sharpshooters before them. They then
raised the rebel yell and charged the ridge, driv
ing the enemy pell nell from the position. They
rallied about one-haf mile from the ridge and
took refuge in the dwelling and buildings on Mr..
Crockett's farm but were shelled from this po-
sition General Morgan himself assisting in hand
ling his single piece OF artillery The enemy was
then charged, General Morgan leading the as
sault The enemy held out until nightfall, and
then retreated in disorder, leaving 200 dead and
wounded upon the field Morgan lost in killed
and wounded fifty men. He captured 100 pris-
oners and $50 horses, besides a large number OF
muskets and 500 rounds of ammunition.
Colonel Smith, who reinforced General Jen-
kins at Dublin Depot, performed a work which
was praised by General Morgan. He reached
Dublin about 10 a. m on the roth and found the
general severely wounded and his men in full re-
treat He pressed on toward the front through
the retreating mass, reporting 10 Colonel Nc
Causland who had succeeded General Jenkins
He was CALAMITY struggling with rear guard
10 check the advancing army. Colonel smith
formed his command in the woods on the left OF
the road and scarcely had he perfected this ar
ranPement when on came the pursuing enemy
He poured an unexpected volley into them which
drove back the foremost asailants. Smith and his
men then eaped from the woods and pressed his
success for over an hour, killing Is Federals and
wounding twice as many more. He then called
off the pursuit and marched back 10 Dublin and
Joined Colonel McCausland and his retreatng
men. They moved to New River bridge, crossing
lust before sunset and encamped on the opposite
bank
Here the Fedcrals approached in overwhelming
force, with cavalry, infantry and artillery shellng
the camp The Confederates withdrew from the
Among our killed was c. S. Cleburne brother
Of General Pat Cleburne lie had just been pro-
NOTED 10 captain for gallant conduct, and was
one of the bravest Of the brave. His loss was
mourned by all the boys, and his memory will
endure as long as there is descendant OF any oil
Morgan's men.
on the a7th day Of May, 1904, Morgan COM
nenced his last raid into Kentucky leaving Aver
IN and Crook behind awaiting reintorccments. Ills
division consisted of three brigades. The first
was under Colonel Giltner LOO strong, COM
posed of young kentuckians. The second was
composed Of men from Morgan's old squadron
three small battalions. commanded by Lieutenant
Colonel Bowles. Major Cassell and Kirkpatrick,
and II was 600 strong, commanded by Lieutenant
Aston. The third brigade was composed of two
battalions commanded by Colonel Martin and
Major General George R. Diamond. Il was
about 800 strong, commanded by d. Howard
Smith.
II was decided that artillery could not be drawn
over the rough roads and none was taken. Nor
cans total number of men and officers aggregated
$500.
(stories Of Morgans men will appear once a
r,onth IN this magazine section.--Editor)