Life and Military Achievements of Col. John H. Morgan (Chapter One)

The following account was compiled from the journal of one of Morgan's men in the latter half of 1862. No name is given to the man who wrote this information, but it gives us a fantastic look at the touchy and dangerous situation in 1861 Kentucky as men attempted to gain the lines of the their respective sides. The author provides more stories in later chapters which will be posted at a later date.

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The Southern Advertiser

Troy, Alabama

November 19, 1862

Chapter 1:

In laying the life of this gallant partisan leader before the public, I do not propose to give a minute history of his early life, but will refer to the most prominent features of it, and the personal description, that the reader may be better enabled to form a correct opinion of him.

He was born in Huntsville, Ala., in the year 1827; at the age of ten years his father removed to Lexington, Kentucky, where he received a liberal education, and at an early age embarked in manufacturing of jeans, and in the New Mexican wool trade, which occupation he pursued up to the breaking out of the present war.

Col. Morgan is six feet high, weighs 180 pounds, grey eyes and auburn hair. He is pleasant in his manners, quick spoken but always with kindness. He is of a cheerful disposition, which has not only won the admiration of his command, but of all who knew him. He speaks in a kind and gentlemanly manner to his men, which always secures the strictest obedience. He never wears any insignia of office, but has his rifle always swung on his shoulder. On a march he is always found next to the enemy.

When the Legislature of Kentucky passed a law organizing the Kentucky State Guard, Col. Morgan lost no time in making up company for the purpose of preserving the "neutrality" of Kentucky.* He commanded the "Lexington Rifles," a company of infantry, which were considered the best drilled company of the State Guard. He attended several "camp drills" of the State Guard, in which he distinguished himself as an infantry tactician.

*[The author is mistaken in this instance. The Kentucky State Guard was formed in 1860 with neutrality not beginning until the start of the war in April 1861. The southern leaning State Guard and Unionist Home Guard vied for power in an uneasy situation.]

Meantime Gen. Buckner resigned his commission as Inspector General of the State Guard, and the Federals had occupied several prominent positions in Kentucky, and had established a camp of instruction, (Camp Dick Robinson) within fifty miles of Lexington. He seemed to be restless, and had made many devices, by which he could be part in repelling the invaders of his state. Having at length received news of the occupation of Columbus and Bowling Green by Gens. Polk and Buckner, he immediately called a meeting of his company, and began to make preparations to join Gen. Buckner at Bowling Green.

He had a large quantity of grey jeans on hand, and he immediately had each member of his company fitted up with a uniform.

This being done, he devised a plan to bring out their guns that he had drawn from the Government. He had ninety-six Minnie Rifles, and seventy-six men. He resolved to take the guns without the city, in the night, and for his men to meet him at Lawrenceburg, Anderson county, by squads, and to bring their guns, and to travel in the night. This was accomplished admirably, and every gun, cartridge box, &c., were secured; besides getting his fine black mare and horse, and a small express wagon, in which his trunk was brought.

He then took up a line of march for Bloomfield, Kentucky, and on the night of 22d of September, 1861, he camped near a small village called Chaplin, in Nelson County, Ky. He remained here two days and received the hospitalities of the people (for he was dependent on them alone for rations) who liberally rationed his gallant little band.

On the night of the 23d, Captain Utterback arrived from Anderson county, and camped within one mile of Morgan's camp, and the next day came over to see what was Col. Morgan's intentions. Their conference resulted in the removal of our camp within three miles of Bloomfield, and five miles of Bardstown, which camp we called "Camp Charity."

After Co. Morgan had seen all of his men fed, he called a consultation of the commissioned officers of his and Captain Utterback's companies, which resulted in making Colonel Morgan commander of the post.

During the night, 250 joined us, from Woodford, Anderson, Fayette and Spencer counties. On the morning of the 25th, the citizens began to flock in, bringing provisions for us and giving all the information within their power, US to the movements and strength of the Federals, and imploring Col. Morgan to establish a permanent camp at that point, which he concluded to to.

The next night, we received large reinforcements, among whom was Captain Crisp Wickliffe, of Bardstown, and a son of Hon. Charles A. Wickliffe, now a member of the Federal Congress from Kentucky. He had a splendid company, well armed and uniformed.

Col. Morgan remained here until Saturday the 27th. Up to this date his command had augmented to 500 infantry and cavalry, and learning that the Federals had been reinforced by six hundred infantry and three pieces of artillery, he concluded to make up the line of march for Munfordville on Green River, this place being in possession of Col. Roger W. Hanson and the 2d Kentucky infantry. At two o'clock P.M., we were ordered into line, to take up line of march. There was about 300 citizens, male and female, present to bid US farewell, which is long to be remembered by them and Morgan's Regiment.

We marched within three miles of Bardstown, and then taking a Southerly course to the Bardstown and Springfield Turnpike, crossing it, we took the road to Bench Fork river.

We marched all night, and on two occasions falling into a line of battle. At daylight, on the morning of the 28th, we crossed Lebanon branch of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, twenty-miles from New Haven, the headquarters of Gen. Rousseau.

We halted for breakfast, but found that we were near the enemy's pickets, and moved farther down a small rivulet, fed our houses, and tried to buy rations for ourselves, but were informed that the law of Kentucky made it felony to sell anything to rebels so we came up minus our breakfast.

We again took up the line of march, but had not marched far, before we were informed that there was a considerable force of "Home Guards" ahead of us who would resist our passing, but before we had reached the place, the "birds had flown."

We marched until ten o'clock P.M., when we were ordered into camps--our rations consisted of parched corn and about two ounces of fat bacon, which we ate with great satisfaction and laid down to sleep. This camp was in Hart County, twenty miles from Munfordsville [sic], and sixty-five miles from Bardstown.

At daylight we took up lines of march, hoping to take dinner with Col. Hanson, but we were too nearly worn out to march fast. At 7 o'clock P.M., marched into the camps of Col. Hanson amid the roar of the cannon which was fired in honor of Colonel Morgan for having accomplished such a perilous march. We marched under the stars and bars, to the air of "Dixie." Col. Morgan being loudly called for made a short but elegant speech.

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