Raiding with Morgan

by Byron A. Dunn

  CHAPTER VIII.

  THE CAPTURE OF GALLATIN.

  Morgan's command had not been encamped at Livingston more than two orthree days when, to every one's astonishment, a couple of soldiersbelonging to Captain Mathews's company came riding into camp, one on FredShackelford's famous horse, Prince, and the other on a well-known horse ofColonel Shackelford's, called Blenheim.

  Calhoun, hearing the cheering and laughter which greeted the soldiers asthey galloped in waving their hats and shouting, ran out of his quartersto see what was occasioning the excitement. He could hardly believe hiseyes when he saw the well-known horse of Fred. Then his heart gave a greatjump, for the thought came to him that his cousin had been waylaid andkilled. But if so, how did the soldiers come to have Blenheim too? To hisrelief he soon learned the truth of the story, how from Crab OrchardCaptain Mathews had sent back two of his company to capture Prince, andthey had returned not only with Prince, but with Blenheim. Mathews was inhigh spirits as he appropriated Prince. Jumping on his back he gallopedhim through camp, showing off his fine points, and declaring he couldoutrun any horse in the brigade. A match was soon arranged, but Prince soeasily outstripped every competitor that soon no officer was found who hadthe hardihood to enter his horse in the lists against him.

  Blenheim was awarded to Conway, much to his satisfaction. He could notforego the opportunity of crowing over Calhoun, thinking he would be vexedover the capture of his cousin's horse.

  "Why do you come blowing around me?" asked Calhoun, nettled by his manner,"I am neither the keeper of my cousin nor the keeper of his horse."

  "Oh, you were so careful of his precious person when I took him prisoner,I did not know but your carefulness might extend to his horse," repliedConway, with a sneer.

  Calhoun felt his blood boil, but controlling himself, he replied: "You didnot take Captain Shackelford, and I am surprised that you should make sucha statement. You forget that I was there before you."

  "You would have let the fellow go," snapped Conway.

  "Just as Colonel Morgan did, on his parole," answered Calhoun.

  "It was your fault that he slipped through my fingers," exclaimed Conway,angrily, "but my time will come. I have swore to see him hanged beforethis war is over, and I shall."

  "Catch your rabbit before you skin him, Captain," replied Calhoun, withprovoking coolness; and the laugh was on Conway, who turned away with amuttered oath.

  Conway had entertained a secret dislike to Calhoun ever since their firstmeeting, partly because he had been chosen by Morgan, instead of Conwayhimself, to go back to Kentucky, and partly on account of his being Fred'scousin. But after the affair at Colonel Shackelford's house, he tooklittle pains to conceal his dislike. Many of the officers of the brigadenoticed this, and predicted that sooner or later there would be troublebetween the two.

  But Calhoun was not through with being bantered over the capture ofPrince. Captain Mathews came riding up and with a flourish said: "Ah!Lieutenant, I reckon you have seen this hoss before; what do you think ofhim?" Now, Mathews was a rough, rollicking fellow, and quite a favorite inthe command. He and Calhoun were good friends, and so Calhoun answeredpleasantly: "He is the best horse in Kentucky. I know it, for I was oncebeaten by him in a race. But," continued Calhoun, with a laugh, "my adviceis to guard him very carefully, or Captain Shackelford will get him back,sure. That horse has more tricks than you dream of."

  "I am not worrying," replied Mathews. "One of your scouts has just had tofork over five dollars to one of my men, on a bet they made at CrabOrchard that I could not get the hoss. Perhaps you would like to bet Ican't keep him?"

  "Yes, I will go you twenty-five that Captain Shackelford will have hishorse back in less than two months," answered Calhoun, dryly.

  "Done!" exclaimed the Captain, gleefully, and the stakes were placed inthe hands of Captain Huffman. The bet afforded much amusement to theofficers, but all of them looked upon it as a very foolish bet on the partof Calhoun.

  "That twenty-five is gone," said Huffman to Calhoun, as he pocketed thestakes, "but I am sure of having fifty dollars for at least two months."

  "I reckon I shall lose," said Calhoun, "but Mathews had better not letShackelford get sight of his horse."

  "Why?" asked a dozen voices in concert.

  "Because that horse is up to more antics than a trick horse in a circus.You will see, if we ever run across my cousin in our raids."

  "I don't know what you mean," said one of the officers, "but your cousinwill have a fine time getting that horse away from Jim Mathews."

  "Wait and see," was Calhoun's answer.

  It was not many days before they knew what Calhoun meant. A few dayssufficed to rest Morgan's command, and it was not the nature of Morgan toremain long idle. He had to be doing something. It was known that theConfederate armies were about ready to make the long-talked-of forwardmovement into Kentucky. In fact, General Kirby Smith had already set outfrom Knoxville to invade Eastern Kentucky, and General Bragg was nearlyready to take the initiative from Chattanooga.

  The Federal army in Tennessee was scattered, and owing to the raids ofMorgan and Forrest, the men were on short rations. General Buell was athis wits' end. He knew that General Bragg was preparing to advance, butthought he would not attempt the invasion of Kentucky before attackinghim. He therefore looked for a great battle somewhere in Middle Tennessee,and concentrated his forces for that event.

  Before Bragg moved, Morgan decided to strike another blow at theLouisville and Nashville Railroad, and this time right under the noses ofthe Federal army. Gallatin is only twenty-six miles from Nashville, andMorgan decided to attempt its capture. In order to spy out the land,Calhoun entered the place as a country lad. He found that it wasgarrisoned by a Federal force of about four hundred, under the command ofColonel Boone. The discipline was lax. In the daytime no pickets were out,and Calhoun found no difficulty in entering the place. He made himselfknown to a few of the citizens, and they gave him all the informationpossible. To them the coming of Morgan meant deliverance from a hatefulfoe.

  It did not take Calhoun long to find out the station of every picket atnight. The camp of the Federals was on the fair-ground, half a mile fromthe city. Colonel Boone was accustomed to sleep at a hotel in the city; infact, his wife was sick at the hotel. Colonel Boone knew that Morgan wasnear, and was fearful of an attack. He telegraphed both to Nashville andto General Buell at MacMinnville for reinforcements, but no attention waspaid to his demand. Instead, he was ordered to send nearly half of hisforce away to intercept a drove of beef cattle which it was reported theConfederates were driving down from Kentucky.

  That the citizens might not know that his numbers were depleted, ColonelBoone did not send this force away until midnight, thinking no one wouldsee them depart. But sharp eyes were watching. Nothing was going on inGallatin without Calhoun's knowledge. He lost no time in reporting toMorgan, and the attack came swiftly.

  Knowing the location of every picket post, Calhoun was able to effecttheir capture without the firing of a gun, and Morgan rode into Gallatinwithout the knowledge of the Federal force, which was only half a mileaway. Colonel Boone was captured at the hotel. The first intimation he hadthat Morgan was in the city was when he was commanded by Calhoun tosurrender. A demand was now made on the camp that it should surrender,which it did. Thus without firing a gun Gallatin, with the entire Federalgarrison and all the military stores which it contained, was captured.

  Losing no time, Morgan ordered the companies of Captain Mathews andCaptain Conway, together with Calhoun's scouts, to take the stockade whichguarded the tunnel six miles north of town. The attack was successful, thestockade surrendering after a slight resistance. The tunnel was now in thepossession of the Confederates.

  A long train of cars which had been captured was piled with wood, rails,and other combustibles, set on fire, and run into the tunnel. The sidesand roof of the tunnel were supported by heavy woodwork, and the
wholetunnel was soon a roaring mass of flame. The wood being burned away thetunnel caved in, and it was months before a train ran through fromLouisville to Nashville. Morgan had effectually blocked the road. Highlyelated with their success, the command returned to Gallatin, Mathews andConway riding at the head of the column. To Calhoun was committed the careof the prisoners, and he brought up the rear.

  When about half-way to Gallatin, Calhoun heard the report of a singlepistol shot in front, then a rapid succession of rifle shots. The head ofthe column seemed to be thrown into confusion, and the whole command cameto a halt.

  Fearful that an attack had been made by a Federal force coming fromNashville, Calhoun gave orders to shoot down the first prisoner whoattempted to escape, and prepared to resist any attack that might come.But no more firing was heard, and the column began to move again. Soon anofficer came riding back and told Calhoun a story that interested himgreatly.

  Mathews and Conway were riding at the head of the column, when, as itreached a cross-road, a peculiar sharp whistle suddenly pierced the air.Mathews's horse gave a prodigious bound, unseated his rider, and dashed upthe cross-road. Conway's horse bolted, and in spite of Conway's efforts,followed.

  A boy sprang out of the bushes into the road, and Mathews's horse stoppedby his side. He fired at Conway, hitting him in the shoulder. To savehimself from being shot again, Conway flung himself from his horse. Theboy sprang onto Mathews's horse and rode away at full speed, followed bythe other horse. An ineffectual volley was fired at the boy. CaptainMathews's arm was broken by the fall.

  HE FIRED AT CONWAY.]

  "So Captain Mathews has lost his horse?" asked Calhoun, with a faintsmile.

  "Yes, he will quit blowing now."

  "And I have won twenty-five dollars; but I am sorry Mathews had his armbroken."

  When Calhoun reached Gallatin, Captain Conway had had his wound dressed,and Mathews's arm was in splints. Conway was in a towering passion. Heblamed Calhoun for his ill-luck, saying if it had not been for him, FredShackelford would have been hanged as a spy. From this time he did not tryto conceal his hatred of Calhoun.

  Captain Mathews took his misfortune more philosophically. "It was a blamedsharp trick on the part of young Shackelford!" he exclaimed. Then turningto Captain Huffman, he said: "Give that money to Lieutenant Pennington; hehas won it. But I give you all fair warning I shall get that hoss back. Myreputation depends upon it. Then to think that I, who prided myself onbeing one of the best hossmen in Morgan's troop, should be thrown. Bah! itmakes me sick," and his face took on a look of disgust.

  "I warned you," said Calhoun, "that that horse was up to tricks. When Fredgives that whistle he will unhorse any rider who is on his back. I haveseen Fred try it time and time again with his father's nigger boys asriders, and Prince never failed of unhorsing them. When Fred gave thatwhistle his horse would have gone to him, or died in the attempt."

  "I am sorry you didn't let Conway hang him," replied Mathews, gentlyrubbing his broken arm, "but I will get even with him, see if I don't. Iwant that hoss worse than ever."

  A few days after the capture of Gallatin, a Federal force moved up fromNashville, reoccupied the city, committed many depredations, and beganarresting the citizens right and left, accusing them of complicity withMorgan. When Morgan heard of this he at once moved to the relief of thedistressed city. Attacking the rear guard of the enemy as it was leavingthe place, he not only defeated them, but drove them to within seven milesof Nashville, capturing the force at Pilot Knob, and burning the highrailroad trestle at that place. He also captured a train of cars andliberated forty of the citizens of Gallatin who were being taken toNashville as prisoners. They had been used with the greatest cruelty bytheir captors.

  In this raid Morgan captured nearly two hundred prisoners. Notwithstandingthe provocation was great, considering the way the citizens of Gallatinhad been used, Morgan treated his prisoners kindly and paroled them.

  The Federal authorities, now being thoroughly alarmed, resolved to crushMorgan. To this end a brigade of cavalry was organized at MacMinnville,placed under the command of General R. W. Johnson, and sent against him.Johnson thought that Morgan was at Hartsville, and marched against thatplace. But when he reached Hartsville and learned that Morgan was atGallatin, he at once marched to attack him there, confident of easyvictory.

  Up to this time the Federals had boasted that Morgan would not fightanything like an equal force; that he always attacked isolated posts withoverwhelming numbers. They were now to learn something different. Morganhad been kept well posted by Calhoun and his scouts with regard to everymovement of Johnson. Although he knew that he was greatly outnumbered,Morgan resolved to give battle and teach the boasting Yankees a lesson.

  Early on the morning of August 21 Calhoun came galloping into Gallatinwith the information that Johnson was close at hand. To avoid fighting abattle in the city Morgan moved out on the Hartsville pike, meeting theenemy about two miles from Gallatin. The engagement opened at once withfury. Up to that time it was the greatest engagement fought in the West inwhich cavalry only was engaged.

  For a time the Federals fought bravely, and for an hour the issue of thebattle was doubtful; then a charge stampeded a portion of the Federalforces. Thoroughly panic-stricken they threw away guns, accoutrements,everything that impeded their progress, thinking only of safety in flight.Plunging into the Cumberland River, they forded it and did not stoprunning until they reached Nashville.

  The remaining Federal force under General Johnson retreated about twomiles, and then made a brave stand. But nothing could withstand the furyof Colonel Basil Duke's attack, whose command had the advance. GeneralJohnson and many of his men were taken prisoners, and the remainder werescattered.

  In this engagement the Federals lost two hundred men, killed, wounded, andmissing. Their general himself was a prisoner. Thus, to their cost, theyfound that when the occasion demanded it Morgan would fight. Morgan's lossin the battle was only five killed and twenty wounded; but among thelatter was the brave Captain Huffman, who had an arm shattered.

  Colonel Basil Duke, in this fight, won the highest praise from Morgan forthe masterly manner in which he handled his regiment. It was greatly owingto the efforts of Colonel Duke that the victory was won.

  In this battle Calhoun bore a conspicuous part. Single-handed he engaged aFederal officer who was trying to rally his men, and forced him tosurrender. When he delivered up his sword Calhoun saw to his surprise thatit was his old acquaintance, Lieutenant Haines.

  "Ah, Lieutenant," said Calhoun, "I am glad to have met you again. When thebattle is over I will come and see you."

  "Pennington again, as I am alive!" gasped the astonished Lieutenant.

  After all was over Calhoun sought him out, and found him sitting dejectedand crestfallen among the prisoners.

  "Cheer up, Lieutenant," said Calhoun, pleasantly; "we are going to paroleyou. You will soon be at liberty."

  "How often do you want to parole a fellow? This will be the third time,"growled Haines. "Curse the luck. I thought we would wipe you off the faceof the earth sure this time. We would, too, if it hadn't been for thatcowardly regiment which broke."

  "An 'if' has stood in between many a man and success," answered Calhoun."How long ago were you exchanged?"

  "About two months," replied Haines, "and here I am in for it again. Iexpected to win a captaincy to-day. If this is the way it goes, I shalldie a lieutenant."

  "Oh, you may wear the star of a general yet, who knows? To change thesubject, have you met the charming Miss Osborne since your return to thearmy?"

  A change came over the face of Haines--one that transformed his ratherhandsome features into those of a malignant spirit. Calhoun saw it andwondered. The Lieutenant quickly recovered himself, and answered:

  "Yes, but trouble has come upon the family. Mr. Osborne refused to takethe oath of allegiance, and as he was looked upon as a dangerouscharacter, he has been sent North as a prisoner."

  "To wear
his life away in some Northern bastile!" exclaimed Calhoun, in afury. "Monstrous!"

  "That is not all," returned Haines. "By some means the house took fire andburned with all its contents. I did all I could for them--tried to save Mr.Osborne, but could not; but I will not relax my efforts to have himreleased. I have some powerful friends in the North."

  Calhoun thanked him, and went his way. But that look which came overHaines's face, what did it mean? It was months before Calhoun knew.