CHAPTER VII.
CALHOUN TAKES FRED PRISONER.
After leaving Midway, Morgan did not march directly to Paris, but haltedat Georgetown, a little city twelve miles north of Lexington. The citizensof Georgetown gave Morgan's command the same joyous welcome which they hadreceived at almost every place visited; for Morgan came to them not as anenemy, but as a liberator.
From Georgetown Morgan resolved to attack Cynthiana, which lies north ofParis, having heard there was a considerable body of Federal troopsstationed there. Sending a small force toward Lexington to keep up thefiction of an attack upon that place, Morgan moved with the main body ofhis force upon Cynthiana.
Here was fought the fiercest battle that Morgan was engaged in during hisraid. Cynthiana was held by Colonel John J. Landram of the EighteenthKentucky. He had under him about four hundred men, mostly Home Guards andraw recruits. Landram put up a most gallant defence, and the battle ragedfor an hour and a half with the greatest fury. It was at last decided by afurious charge made by Major Evans at the head of his Texas rangers. Theentire force of Colonel Landram was killed, wounded, and taken prisoners.Colonel Morgan lamented the loss of some forty of his bravest men. Calhounwas not in this fight, having been sent with his scouts toward Lexingtonto watch the movements of the enemy.
From Cynthiana, Morgan moved on Paris, and the place surrendered without ashot being fired. Some twenty-five miles of the Cincinnati and Lexingtonrailroad was now in Morgan's possession, and he proceeded to destroy it asthoroughly as his limited time admitted. But he was being encompassed byhis enemies. A large force was moving on him from Frankfort; another fromLexington. Calhoun with his faithful scouts kept him fully informed ofthese movements.
Just in time to elude General Green Clay Smith's forces from Lexington, hemarched for Winchester. His next move was to Richmond. This left all thepursuing forces in the rear. The celerity of Morgan's movements, themarvellous endurance of his men, astonished and confounded his enemies.
At Richmond, Morgan decided to make a stand and give battle to hispursuers; but Calhoun brought word that at least five thousand Federalswere closing in on him. To give battle to such a number would have beenmadness, so he marched for Crab Orchard. On the march Calhoun made adetour toward Danville so as to visit the plantation of his uncle, ColonelRichard Shackelford. He was also in hopes of meeting his cousin Fred. Hehad heard how Fred had interceded for his father, keeping him from beingsent to a Northern prison, and he wished to thank him. He was ashamed ofthe hatred he had felt toward him, and resolved to make amends for it.
His arrival was a genuine surprise, but to his consternation Fredpresented himself in the uniform of a captain of the Federal army. His menclamored to take Fred prisoner, but just as Calhoun had succeeded inquieting them, to his dismay Captain Conway came galloping upon the sceneat the head of his company. He had obtained permission from Morgan toscout toward Danville. His real object was to capture Fred, who he knewwas at home. Once in his hands, he hoped to convict him as a spy. His planwas frustrated by the bold stand taken by Colonel Shackelford, whodelivered Fred as a prisoner to Calhoun with instructions to take him toMorgan. This Calhoun did, and Morgan at once paroled him, although Conwaytried his best to have him held as a spy. Morgan not only paroled Fred,but let him return with the horse he had ridden, although many of the menlooked on the splendid animal with envious eyes. But Morgan would not hearof their taking a horse which belonged to his old friend, ColonelShackelford.
"Why didn't you ride that horse of yours?" asked Captain Mathews of Fred,alluding to Fred's famous horse, Prince.
"Afraid you might keep him," laughed Fred; "you are a good judge of ahorse, Captain."
"Right you are," responded Mathews; "I am sorry I didn't think of thathorse when we were at Richmond. I would have visited you with my friendConway, and taken the horse. Think I will have to return for him yet."
Fred thought little of what Mathews said, but that very night Mathewsdispatched two of his men back in disguise to steal Fred's horse.
From Crab Orchard Morgan marched to Somerset, surprising the place, andcapturing a large wagon-train. It was also a depot for army supplies, allof which Morgan gave to the torch. Here he again took possession of thetelegraph office, and enlightened the Federals as to his movements.
At Somerset Morgan's raid was practically at an end. There were no Federaltroops in front of him; his pursuers were a day behind. After he hadcompleted the destruction of all the United States property in the place,and was ready to leave, he caused the following dispatches to be sent:
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