if you have any greenbacks just shell them out; | hours. In the mean time their pursuers were that's all!" gaining upon them.

It is difficult to realize, in our own quiet homes, the intense anxiety, and often terror, which filled the hearts of the quiet farmers in southern Ohio when the tidings came, "Morgan

Thus the traitor was righteously robbed. It surely was right that he should pay his share to support that cause which his heart espoused. At the little town of Vernon Colonel Lowe commanded two thousand militia, hastily as-is coming, and we are in his path!" We must sembled from the surrounding country. Morgan sent in a flag of truce, demanding the surrender of the town. "Come and take it," was the intrepid reply. Women and children were removed, and the intrepid Colonel made preparations to defend the unfortified place with his raw recruits to the last possible extremity. This resolute show of fight put Morgan on his discretion. He burned the bridges, and did all the damage he could outside of the place, but concluded not to risk an encounter which so seriously threatened him with a repulse.

On, on Morgan's men rode through the counties of Indiana, and the Union troops were eager in the chase after them. The rebels had greatly the advantage over those who were chasing them; for in every town the pursuers found the exhausted horses which the rebels had cast aside, providing themselves with every fresh steed upon which they could lay their hands. The bridges which spanned the streams wherever the rebels wished to cross were burned behind them, so that the patriots were compelled either to swim or ford the streams or to construct new bridges.

On the night of the 13th of July General Hobson ordered his men into camp at Harrison, on the boundary-line between Indiana and Ohio. His horses were thoroughly worn out, and the poor soldiers were in a condition not much bet

ter.

draw upon our imaginations for a picture of the scene in Jaspar. Physicians, lawyers, clergymen, laborers, all joined the bold yeomanry in the effort to repel the invader. And this strangely-mixed crowd, drawn thus suddenly from their firesides, fought bravely and successfully with the rebel raiders. They taught the rebels a lesson of the courage of the Hoosiers which they did not soon forget. The rebels by this brave resistance were compelled, after the loss of several hours, to abandon their path through the town, and by a circuitous route to press on their way.

Again at Jackson the backwoodsmen fought the raiders; and again, by this timely check, the pursuers gained two hours upon the rebel band. The chase now became intensely exciting. The country is level, intersected by numerous little streams, all fordable at this season of the yearthus affording no obstruction to the march, but adding greatly to the beauty of the landscape. The weather throughout the whole pursuit had been delightful. A cloudless sky, an invigorating atmosphere, plenty of food for man and forage for horses, kept up the spirits of the pursuers, and fitted them for a contest with Morgan, if they could only get near enough to strike him.

As the patriots pressed impetuously along the For four days neither men nor horses had track of their flying foes they could almost hear, enjoyed a night's rest, and had not even had the in advance of them, the tramp of their horses' encouragement of a brush with the foe. That hoofs, with the mingled din of fife and trump night all slept soundly; and while the pursuing and drum. It was evidently Morgan's plan to force were dreaming of home, the rebels rested advance directly upon Chester, and from there for an hour near the thronged streets of the city to cross the river into Virginia. He would thus of Cincinnati. Incredible as the statement may escape his vengeful pursuers, who were now very appear, it is positively asserted that the rebel uncomfortably near to him. The raiders began chief, in disguise, entered the city, and, in com- to give indications of alarm. General Hobson pany with a traitor friend there, actually attend- was close in their rear. General Judah, who ed a ball given by one of the ladies of the place. had left Portsmouth on the 16th, was vigilantly The eager pursuit of the patriots allowed the keeping himself between the rebels and the river rebels to make but a short tarry in the vicinity to cut off their escape by crossing the stream. of the Queen City. They were not strong enough Almost abreast, the two bands of Generals Judah to venture into its streets. Onward they press- and Morgan, by parallel roads, rushed along ed, burning bridges, destroying railroads, and their race-course. The shores of the beautiful stealing all they could lay their hands upon. banks of the Ohio echoed to the tramp of these Thus they left their desolating track behind warrior horsemen. But no effort was made by them as they rode through the rich counties of either party to bring on an engagement. The southern Ohio, unobstructed and unopposed, patriot officers knew that the rebel force was not until they came to the little town of Jaspar, in in one compact mass, but scattered over many Pike County. There the citizens collected, and, miles of country, and they wished to bag the cutting down trees, built a barricade in the road. whole game at once. Morgan, now eager only Morgan came up and contemptuously opened for escape, wished to avoid a battle, because his fire upon the little band of citizens, expecting supply of powder was very low. General Hobto scatter them as dogs disperse the flock. But son was too near his heels to admit of his tarrythough these citizens were outnumbered nearly ing in the towns he passed through long enough ten to one, they fought bravely from behind to replenish from the powder-houses his extheir intrenchments. The rebels, in their un-hausted caissons.

availing assault, were thus detained four precious Many of the rebels, from sheer exhaustion,

were utterly unable to keep up with the march, | the island. About three hundred yards above and, straggling behind, were picked up by the this road there was a private road, leading into patriots. These reported that the rebels were some large corn-fields and separated from the in excellent spirits; that they were confident public mountain road only by a large wheat that they would continue their raid successfully field. until they entered Virginia, and that then they would, aided by General Lee, make a brilliant march upon Washington. They seemed to cherish no doubt that they would be able to outwit Generals Hobson and Judah, and triumphantly effect their passage across the Ohio. But

"The best-laid schemes o' mice and men

Gang aft a-gley."

The Union generals were not outwitted. And the well-fought battle of Buffington Island, which soon ensued, was a great obstacle to the fulfillment of the career Morgan had marked out for himself. Buffington island is situated in the Ohio River, about thirty miles above Pomeroy. It was selected by the rebels as the point for crossing into Virginia. The reason of this choice was that there are large shoals or sandbars in the river near the island, so that it would be comparatively easy to cross by fording. whole body of rebels under Generals Dick and John Morgan, with Basil Duke, who, as we have said, was regarded as the brain of the enterprise, marched with the speed which anxiety now gave the leaders from Vinton toward Buffington. They reached the Ohio shore, opposite the island, about 2 o'clock Sunday morning on the 19th of July.

The

The rebels encamped in the corn-field on their arrival at this point opposite the island. After a few hours of rest they were all ready to accept the wager of battle with the Union troops, who they knew were pursuing them. The rebels had planted their artillery on a swell of land which commanded the road over the hills along which General Judah's troops were advancing. During the night this patriot force had been pressing along as with tireless sinews. About dawn Sabbath morning they came abreast of the corn-field where the rebels were encamped. heavy river fog intercepted the view. The men could scarcely see a rod before them. The patriot troops were first made aware of the presence of the enemy by the whistling of Minié and pistol balls over their heads. The road was narrow, with fences on both sides, and an impenetrable vapor veiled every thing from view.

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The Union troops, undismayed by the sudden assault, returned shot for shot. But when Morgan opened fire with his artillery the bursting shells threatened great slaughter, and General Judah ordered the bugle to sound a retreat. Just as the trumpet peal gave its unwelcome voice the sun declared himself on the side of liberty and suddenly dispersed the fog. The The people of Marietta, quite an important patriot troops were thus enabled to get the artiltown a few miles further up the river, heard of lery of their command into line. The banner the march of Morgan toward Buffington. The of our country was unfurled to catch the fresh town was thrown into intense excitement. Mer- morning breeze as it came down the Ohio, and chants and clerks, gentlemen and laborers, were to gleam in the first rays of sunshine which came all eager to bear a hand in the chastisement of bursting through the clouds. the audacious raiders. Captain Wood of the 18th regulars had been stationed at Marietta as a recruiting officer. He was persuaded by the eager citizens to take the command and lead them to the fray. At one hour's notice these heroic men started from their homes for the field of deadly battle and of blood. Their only uniform was the halo of patriotism with which each one was enveloped. Their arms were such as they could most readily grasp.

The party from Marietta reached Buffington on Saturday afternoon. Rumors of Morgan's near approach increased every moment. Captain Wood found here a steamer aground, loaded with flour and with but two men on board. The rest of the crew had left. The steamer and its cargo would have been a precious prize for the rebels. Captain Wood seized the steamer, threw enough flour over to lighten her, got up the steam, and ran her out of the range of Morgan's guns.

The river road, along which Morgan came, runs very close along the banks of the stream. On this same road General Hobson's command were now in close and eager pursuit, but a few hours behind. About two miles back from the shore there is a long low range of hills over which there is a road leading to the river near

Exhilarated by the enthusiasm of the moment. the order to retreat was recalled, and instead of it the bugle sounded the inspiriting order to "charge the enemy." With loud cheers the patriots rushed upon the solid battalions of the foe. The fight was desperate. Many prisoners were taken on both sides. In the furious charge made by the patriots death reaped a large harvest from the rebel ranks.

At this time Captain John C. Grafton, of General Judah's staff, was taken prisoner. His captor, a rebel cavalryman, with the savagery which often characterized the rebels, leveled his pistol to shoot him after his captive had surrendered and dismounted. To spring upon the perfidious wretch, tear him from his horse and dispatch him with a pistol-shot, was the work of but a moment. The assassin now lay dead at his feet and Captain Grafton was free-but on foot, and almost alone in the midst of the enemy. Glancing around through the smoke and the tumult of battle, his practiced eye spied a place where the rebel force was weak. With the sword of his fallen foe in his hand he fought his way through the shattered line, reached the shore of the Ohio, and hailing the gun-boat Morse, which had come up from Portsmouth, swam out into the stream and was received on

board. Then, by his knowledge of the position | count of their horses giving out, with no fresh of the enemy, he directed the fire of the steam- ones to be procured at the time. Our arms, er's guns, and thus aided essentially in the dis- the Spencer rifle, proved as before a terror to comfiture of the rebels. the rebels. They thought us in much stronger force than we were, when each man could pour seven shots into them so rapidly. This is the first instance during the war, I think, where the proportion of killed was greater than the wounded. As far as reports come in, at least three killed to one wounded, and this fact is owing to the terrible execution of our rifles."

As soon as the news of Morgan's advance to Buffington Island had reached Portsmouth the Morse, under Lieutenant-Commander Fitch, was towed up stream by the Imperial, and arrived just in time to take Captain Grafton on board and to render its efficient aid in the brilliant victory. At the moment when General Judah's command charged the enemy in front from the road, Lieutenant O'Neil, of the Fifth Indiana Cavalry, with only fifty men, came down by a lane behind the corn-field and gallantly charged two regiments of the enemy. On, on without a pause the heroic little band spurred their horses into the thickest ranks of the foe. Under iron hoofs they trampled the Stars and Bars of the rebel rangers. With every stroke of their sabres and every shot from their pistols death claimed a victim. Blood crimsoned the ground. Horses in the deathagony emitted their appalling shriek. The stillness of the Sabbath was broken by groans and prayers and curses and cheers. Shell after shell came screaming into the rebel ranks, guided on their deadly mission by the cool unerring skill of Captain Grafton.

Captain Ward, with his Marietta volunteers. took charge of the prisoners. Fifteen hundred privates, about one hundred minor officers, and Basil Duke were included in the number. John Morgan, with about five hundred of his band escaped. After resting for a few hours, to refresh the exhausted patriot troops and their horses, the pursuit was again vigorously resumed. A few moments after the feeble residue of the rebels had disappeared, in their clattering flight, the patriot General Shackleford arrived with his command. His brigade was comparatively fresh. They therefore started immediately in pursuit of the fugitive guerrilla chief. Morgan fled rapidly from the scene of his disaster, and, unincum! ered with baggage of any kind, turned his horses heads inland, intending, so spies reported, to make a detour through Muskingum and Guernsey counties, then back to the river, crossing at whatever

About this time the steamer Alleghany Belle arrived at the battle-ground. Her single gun inflicted exemplary chastisement upon the reb-point he could back into Virginia. els. The hero of this gun was Nathaniel Pepper, a boy only eighteen years of age, the son of Captain Pepper of the Alice Dean. This boy, his face flushed with excitement and his lips firmly set in manly resolve and his eyes beaming with patriotic fire, sent death to the rebels with every shot he fired.

The battle raged until nearly noon. Then the raiders, completely routed, fled in utter confusion. Some, in their bewilderment and terror, ran directly along the road where the forces of General Hobson were advancing. Thus the patriot troops, who had followed more than a hundred miles just in the rear of the guerrilla band, took about a thousand prisoners. The rebels, in their flight, left all their artillery on the field, which, with the spoils of their camp, fell into the hands of the victors. Books, stationery, cutlery, women's garments, hoops, hats, caps, and bonnets were strewed in profusion through the rebel camp, together with many jaded, half-starved mules and horses scarcely worth capturing.

The patriot Colonel G. S. Warner, of the Eighth Michigan cavalry, in his official report, says: "During the long tedious march of five hundred and seventy-three miles, which took sixteen days, and that with short rations, they [his command] have endured it, as Michigan soldiers through this war have done, without complaint. With cheerfulness and alacrity have my orders been responded to by both officers and men. was obliged to leave several along the line of march, either sick or worn out some on ac

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As the rebel band neared Athens County the farmers grew intensely excited with patriotic fervor, and resolved that if they could arm but two hundred men they would fight the lawless freebooter. Every road along which the gang were to pass was obstructed as much as possible by the farmers felling trees and destroying bridges. At every impromptu barricade the rebels were stopped at least for an hour. Aged men and young boys rallied for the work. Women ministered with eager hands to the wants of the patriots. Refreshments were always ready, and no man fainted for want of food or encouragement.

Morgan rode as rapidly as possible through Morgan County with General Shackleford close at his heels. On the 24th of July the Union forces chased Morgan fifty miles, when the guerrilla chief, finding Colonel Wolford, with the Forty-fifth Ohio Regiment on one side, and General Shackleford on the other, turned again like the stag at bay, desperately to give fight. For one hour a fierce battle raged. The rebels, however, steadily worsted and hotly pressed, retreated to a very high bluff near M'Connellsville.

General Shackleford sent a flag of true demanding the unconditional surrender of Morgan and his command. A personal interview was held between General Shackleford and the rebel Colonel Coleman. The rebels asked an hour for deliberation. General Shackleford granted them forty-five minutes. There were but three alternatives now left for the maraud