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WE
publish below an illustration of the ENTRY OF THE REBEL
RAIDER MORGAN INTO TILE TOWN OF WASHINGTON, OHIO, on the
occasion of his late raid into that State. The famous bandit
levied pretty freely on the defenseless towns and villages
through which he passed, directing his men to provide
themselves with food, clothing, horses, and whatever else
they wanted. In these respects he treated loyal men and
Copperheads with perfect impartiality—robbing some opponents
of "this Abolition war" very thoroughly. We gave in our last
number the fact of his capture. We now append the following
interesting account of the last excursion of the famous
bandit, from the Columbus Journal of July 30 :
Yesterday afternoon, in accordance with orders of the War
Department, John Morgan and twenty-eight of his command were
placed in the Ohio Penitentiary, where they are to be
subjected to close confinement until the rebels see proper
to release the officers of the Streight and Grierson
expedition, now inmates of the Libby Prison at Richmond. The
prisoners arrived on the afternoon train from Cincinnati,
which stopped at the State Avenue crossing, thus saving the
trouble of marching them from the depot. A detachment of the
Provost Guard had been detailed to keep the road from the
track to the Penitentiary clear of people —a measure that
was absolutely necessary, considering the large crowd that
had collected. It required but a few minutes for the Guard,
under command of Lieutenant Irwin, to conduct the prisoners
to the Penitentiary, where General Mason turned them over to
N. Merlon, Esq., the Warden, who received his charge with as
much grace as the circumstances would allow.
The
examination of the prisoners which followed was a tedious
process, but was not devoid of interest. It was conducted
with due regard for the feelings of the prisoners,
and
at the same time it was very minute. One fellow was
compelled to hand over a watch he had concealed in one of
his pantaloon legs, between the lining and the cloth, while
others handed over articles, including greenbacks and "
Confederate scrip." These things will at the proper time be
returned to those from whom they were taken, unless they
were a part of their stealings in their late raids. Morgan
himself had several hundred dollars in money, and what he
considered as money, the greater part of which consisted of
greenbacks.
As
the examination of each prisoner was completed, he was
marched to the wash-house, where he was required to give
himself a "scrubbing," and from thence he was taken to his
cell. Morgan, who was the first one to pass through this
ordeal, did so with as much indifference as he could
command, which, however, was but little; for as he passed
into the ante-room that leads to the cells, his step was far
from being as firm as one would expect, not-withstanding his
efforts to the contrary. The prisoners are to be governed by
the rules of the prison, which will prevent them from
talking with each other. Their beards have been shaven in
accordance with these rules, and they will doubtless find
themselves otherwise inconvenienced by them. They will
receive the same treatment as other prisoners receive, which
is all they ask, and which is better than has been done to
many a Union soldier who has died in some Southern prison.
They will be closely confined to their cells, though they
will doubtless be allowed to take some exercise each day. We
understand that details from the Provost Guard will keep
close watch over them.
There were several other facts connected with this matter,
which we are compelled to postpone for the present. However,
we hope that this retaliatory measure on the part of our
authorities will soon have the desired effect to secure the
speedy release of the officers of Colonel Streight's
expedition, among whom are several citizens of Columbus.
MORGAN'S RAID-ENTRY OF MORGAN'S FREEBOOTERS
INTO WASHINGTON, OHIO. |
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THE CAPTURE AND BOGUS SURRENDER OF MORGAN.
The
following letter appears in the Cincinnati Times:
CINCINNATI, Thursday, July 23, 1863.
I
overtook Major-General Morgan and his entire force, on the
26th inst., at 2 o'clock P.M. On the first sight of the
enemy, I found that he was moving rapidly toward Smith's
Ford. I at once commenced a rapid movement to intercept him.
I succeeded in my attempt. The result was the surrender of
Gen. Morgan's forces to my command.
On
my approach to the road on the enemy's front, I observed a
flag of truce advancing to me. I proceeded to the spot and
asked the bearer what he wanted. He said he demanded a
surrender of the militia forces now advancing. I told him at
once to return to General Morgan, and tell him that I did
not command militia ; that I would not surrender, but
demanded an unconditional surrender of his entire forces, or
I would open fire immediately upon them.
In
a few minutes Captain Neil of the Ninth Kentucky cavalry
(under my command) came up front my left with Major Steel,
of the rebel force, bearing a flag of truce, and stating
that General Morgan's forces had already surrendered, and
they hoped they would not be fired on. I assured Major Steel
that there was no danger while the flag was present.
I
at once concluded that the surrender was complete, and
remarked to the parties that all should remain quiet until
General Shackelford arrived. I then rode forward and met
General Morgan under a full belief that the affair was all
settled.
It
was soon observed by some one that the terms of surrender
were made with Captain Burbridge, of the militia, who was a
prisoner in Morgan's ranks, he permitting Morgan and his
officers to be paroled, and field and line officers to
retain their side-arms. On seeing Captain Burbridge, he told
me that such was the case. I asked at what time and how long
since Morgan had surrendered to him. He said at the same
time I myself had intercepted him. This was quite a trick,
and I paid no more attention to the affair, but turned John
and his party over to General Shackelford, and proceeded to
disarm the prisoners, all except the line officers; I let
them keep their side-arms for the present, until the
Burbridge surrender was further investigated. Burbridge's
surrender was a mere ruse.
GEORGE W. RUE,
Major Ninth Kentucky Cavalry.
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