Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1918-11-14
PoisOsL "reminiscences Of the Civil War
1861 70 1866.
[BY L. N. PERKINS.
(C,ontinued.)

-
Mr.. Editor: have commenced i
writing i >ari.S Of article, for
your paper, which are my per-
sonal recollection of the Civil
War, aud ill be d. scriptive of
-nmr uf Gpn John II Mo"gan's
udv"nfUr- Lt Whoe" c,'Ilnnnfl /
Was un active participant from
the fall of 1862 to the close Of
tho war. NJ only opo, Ogv for in
trnding on your columns my in
dividal experiences is, l have
been repeatedly urged to do so,
not only by personal friends. but
BY the Chapter Of the U. D. c. in
adjoining counties. From the
best information procurable, |
am the living representative OF
ral:Morgan's command any
where in this section of the coun-
try.-L. N. PERKINS.
During December 1852 General
Morgau's division was stationed
near Stones River Bridge, nine
miles from Murfreesboro, on the
pike leading tn Hartsville, Tonn
winch place Wgs on tue soutb
bank OF Cumberland river. There
was a camp OF Federals, about
twenty-five hundred III humber
on the north side Of the river OPP
posite nartsyll1s. 1t seeIns that
Gen. Morgan had correct infor-
nation of the number and loca-
ton IN general. So he decided
to give them u surpriss attack,
and capture Tie whole command.
He made application and recelv'
ed in addition to his own COM
mand Two companies al infantry
to assist in the job. So on the
9Th OF December we made ready
to start on the trip. The morn
ing vas cold with Il brisk north
wind blowing and a sklff OF snow
on the ground. The infantry,
who were also Kentuckians and
had been prisoners OF war and
recently exchanged, started very
early with two pieces OF artillery
following them. About 9 O'Clock
the whole command started on
the march. We overlook the in.
fantry and dismounted and walk
ed till about sun down, so the in
fantry could rest by riding. The
distance from Stones river to
Hartsville is about 25 miles. 1t
seems that the plan was to ap
prouch the enemy at night, cut
of and capture Ill the picSets
and not let them know we were
near them till they werein a trap
Soon after uightfall, the brigade
to which 1 belonged left the pix
and took an old road through
the woods in order to get in tn
rear OF the Yanks. We crossed
Cumberland River, which wa
deep and the ice running t hick
The moon was shining bright.
aud very cold. After crossing
the river be built fires, using ar
old fence that was convenient TO
wood. After the men had all sal
ely crossed the river, rested AM
warmed a while, we started Of
the, march again. 1t was no'
nearly daylight, and very 500
we heard the booming OF canno
which seemed to be a mile or tw
from us and up tie river; th
rattle of musketry was 500
heard also and We knew the bat
tie was on and We ought to b
there. In all my experience wit
cow boy and cavalry riding,
never saw such riding as we di
that morning. The road VIZ
Glazed with slick ice a great po
ton of the wav, and frequently
horse would fall down and ro
of the road, button We went, ar
py about sunrise. or a little 8
ter, we were ready to participa
in the encounter. We we're cor
p!etely in rear OF the retreatir
Yankees. who were being press