Raiding with Morgan
Page 10
Morgan sent this dispatch to lead the Federal authorities to believe thathe was returning from Kentucky. But the strange part of it is that Forrestdid on that very day attack and capture Murfreesboro, and of this factMorgan was entirely ignorant.
Leaving the telegraph and railroad intact, so as to have the Federalsremain in ignorance of what he had done and where he was, Morgan rejoinedhis command and set out for Lebanon, a ride of over forty miles. The placefell, almost without struggle. Dashing in at the head of his scouts,Calhoun took possession of the telegraph office. This was at three o'clockin the morning. Unsuspicious of danger the regular telegraph operator wasat home asleep, and Ellsworth was once more installed at the instrument.
It seemed that the day before Colonel Johnson, commanding the place, hadtelegraphed for reinforcements, saying he feared an attack. The firstdispatch that Ellsworth received was:
"What news? Any more skirmishing?"
To which Ellsworth answered: "No, we drove what few cavalry there wereaway."
The next was: "Has the train arrived yet?"
"No. How many troops on train?" asked Ellsworth.
"About five hundred," was the answer.
This was what Morgan wanted to know, and he at once dispatched a column tointercept the train. But the train scented danger, and backed with allspeed toward Louisville.
At Lebanon immense stores fell into Morgan's hands. Two large warehousesfilled to overflowing with clothing, rations, and the munitions of warwere given to the flames. Five thousand stand of arms were among thetrophies; Morgan picked out the best of these to arm his men.
The destruction of Federal property being complete, Morgan started north,going through Springfield and Mackville to Harrodsburg. Here he met with amost enthusiastic reception. Nothing was too good for Morgan's men.
While at Harrodsburg Calhoun greatly wished that Morgan would make adetour and visit Danville, but this Morgan refused to do, as it would takehim too far out of his route and give the Federals time to concentrateagainst him. Thus Calhoun was prevented from entering his native town intriumph.
Morgan had caused the report to be circulated far and near that he had aforce of five thousand and that his object was the capture of Frankfort.From Harrodsburg he moved to Midway on the line of the Louisville andLexington Railroad. The place was about equidistant from Frankfort andLexington, and from it either place could be equally threatened.
Here he once more took possession of the telegraph office, and Ellsworthwas once more busy in sending telegrams. In the names of the differentFederal officers Morgan telegraphed right and left, ordering the Federaltroops here and there, everywhere but to the right place, and causing theutmost confusion. The poor Federals were at their wits' end; they knew notwhat to do, or which way to turn. The whole state was in terror. The nameof Morgan was on every tongue; his force was magnified fivefold. GeneralBoyle, in command of the Department of Kentucky, was deluged withtelegrams imploring assistance. He in turn deluged General Halleck,General Buell, and even President Lincoln. "Send me troops, or Kentucky islost. John Morgan will have it," he said.
Lincoln telegraphed to Halleck at Corinth: "They are having a stampede inKentucky. Please look to it."
Buell telegraphed: "I can do nothing. Have no men I can send." ThusKentucky was left to her fears. Never did a thousand men create a greaterpanic.
From Midway Colonel Morgan made a strong demonstration toward Frankfort,strengthening the belief that he was to attack that place, but his realobject was the capture of Lexington.
Calhoun, with his men, scouted clear up to the outskirts of the place,driving in the Federal outposts; but he learned that the city wasgarrisoned by at least five times the number of Morgan's men. This fact hereported to his chief, who saw that it would be madness to attempt tocapture it. Morgan therefore resolved to swing clear around Lexington,thoroughly breaking the railroad which led from that place to Cincinnati,so he gave orders to start for Paris. But he was unexpectedly delayed fora day at Midway by an unfortunate incident, the capture of Calhoun and oneof his men by the Home Guards.