"Not much brighter," says Cunningham, "were the bonfires and illuminations in celebration of the Vicksburg victory, by the Yankees, than our counter illuminations around Vernon. Many old ladies were aroused from their slumbers to rejoice over the brilliant victories recently achieved. Surmises were various and many. One old lady knew that the city of Richmond was on fire; another, that Jeff. Davis had been killed; a third, that the Army of Virginia had been used up. Not one knew that General John H. Morgan was within two hundred miles of them."

From Vernon they proceeded to Versailles, where Cunningham says they captured 500 militia. "Captain P., a Presbyterian Chaplain, imitating his commander's demeanor, rode boldly up to the company, and inquired for the captain. Being informed that there was a dispute as to who should lead them, he volunteered his services, was soon elected Captain, and when the advance-guard of Morgan's men had passed, ordered them into the road, and surrendered them to Morgan."

"Crestfallen, indeed, were the Yanks; but General Morgan treated them kindly, returning to them their guns, advised them to go home, and not come hunting such game again; as they had every thing to lose and nothing to gain by it."

From Versailles they moved on to Harrison, Ohio, where they burnt a fine bridge, and passed in the night around Cincinnati, between that city and Hamilton, and at daybreak on the 14th were eighteen miles east of Cincinnati. Near Camp Dennison, they captured and burnt a train of cars.

"From the 14th to the 19th, every hill-side contained an enemy, and every ravine a blockade. Dispirited

and worn down, they reached the river, at three, A. M., on the 19th, at a ford above Pomeroy, called Portland, at Buffington Island, and commenced crossing."

At Louisville, Kentucky, General Judah had embarked his command on a fleet of steamers, which was increased at Cincinnati, accompanied by the Gunboats Moose and Springfield, Lieutenant Le Roy Fitch commanding, and proceeded up the Ohio, and landed at Portsmouth on the 16th, at four, P. M., and in an hour were in pursuit of Morgan, who was thought to be but little in advance. But he led them on, through Webster, Porter, Centreville, and so on, to Pomeroy.

The advance consisted of the advance guard, General Judah, escort and staff, one section of Henshaw's battery, and the section belonging to the 5th Indiana Cavalry. The 5th Indiana Cavalry, 14th Illinois, part of 11th Kentucky, and 8th and 9th Michigan, all cavalry, composed the main body. Hobson's, Shackleford's, and Wolford's commands were several miles to the left. John Morgan was in the valley below.

Here it was that a fight ensued, which opened rather inauspiciously. Here also the gallant Major McCook received his death-wound, and here also A. A. G. Keyes, of General Judah's staff was captured.

After a momentary check, and some disorder, the gallant 5th Indiana Cavalry, under Colonel Butler, and the no less gallant 14th Illinois, under Colonel Capron, under cover of the fire of a gun of Henshaw's battery, and two guns of the 5th Indiana Cavalry, dashed forward, and quickly changed the aspect of affairs; and Hobson arriving, charged on the enemy's centre and flank, and the gunboats also opening fire, they found

themselves unable to endure it, and broke in wild disorder.

General Shackleford and Colonel Wolford, pressing forward to the scene of battle, were met by 500 Rebels under Dick Morgan and Ward, who attempted to cut through our lines and escape, Our line of battle was soon formed, expecting Morgan's whole force to meet it in front.

General Shackleford ordered a charge, which being made, the enemy fled, leaving several killed and wounded behind. A flag of truce was then sent into the woods, when the Rebs surrendered, and marched out without further loss of life.

"Seeing that the enemy had every advantage of position," says Cunningham, "an overwhelming force of infantry and cavalry, and that we were becoming completely environed in the meshes of the net set for us, the command was ordered to move up the river, at double quick; * * and was moved rapidly off the field, leaving three companies of dismounted men, and perhaps 200 sick and wounded in the enemy's possession. Our cannon were undoubtedly captured at the river."

*

In fact Dick Morgan, Basil Duke, and Colonel Ward, with their commands were captured, numbering over seven hundred men, and as many horses.

Morgan, with the residue of his command, fled in a parallel direction with the Ohio River, keeping out behind the hills, to avoid the gunboats, not approaching the river till he reached Bealville, a distance of about fourteen miles, when, supposing he had outstripped the gunboats, he rode up, with a bold front and demanded of the citizens assistance in crossing.

Under threats they ostensibly complied, yet causing all possible delay; so that by the time 300 of the command were embarked, occupying all the flats and scows that were furnished, the gunboats appeared in sight, yet did not arrive in time to prevent their escape across the river. Some attempted to ford, but were compelled to swim or drown--the latter alternative being the fate of a few.

The inevitable Cunningham says: "My poor mare being too weak to carry me, turned over, and commenced going down: encumbered by clothes, saber, and pistols, I made but poor progress in the turbid stream. But the recollections of home, of a brighteyed maiden in the sunny South, the pressing need of soldiers, and an inherent love of life, actuated me to continue swimming. * * -*- But I hear something behind me snorting! I feel it passing! Thank God I am saved! A riderless horse dashes by; I grasp his tail--onward he bears me-and the shore is reached !"— Farewell, Cunningham.

Lieutenant Fitch reports to Secretary Wells of the Navy, after the Buffington affair, "I followed further up the river, and met another portion of Morgan's force fording, about fourteen miles above, and shelled, and drove most of them back. Several were killed, fifteen to thirty wounded, and twenty horses captured."

Morgan fell back, out of reach of the cannon, and drew up his force, seeming to wait a land attack. Judah and Shackleford were a mile or two in the rear, moving up rapidly; our boys on the gunboats were about to land, to attack the Rebels, when two steamers loaded with infantry, appeared in sight, coming down from the direction of Parkersburg, and they, landing above town, succeeded in getting in Morgan's rear.

Shackleford and Judah coming up, the combined force commenced the attack, completely surprising the Rebels, who had not anticipated the nearness of Hobson's and and Judah's forces; nor were they aware of the reinforcements by the steamers.

General Shackleford's report to General Burnside says: "We chased John Morgan over fifty miles today, (July 20th.) After heavy skirmishing for six or seven miles, between the enemy and the 45th Ohio, (Colonel Carter) of Colonel Wolford's brigade, which was in advance of the enemy, we succeeded in bringing him to a stand, about three o'clock, P. M., when a fight ensued, which lasted an hour, when the Rebels fled, taking refuge upon a high bluff. I sent a flag of truce demanding an immediate and unconditional surrender of Morgan and his command.

"The flag was received by Colonel Coleman and other officers, who came down and asked a private interview. They asked an hour for consultation among the officers. I granted them forty minutes, in which time the command, except Morgan, who deserted, taking with him a small squad, surrendered.

"It was my understanding that Morgan himself surrendered; and learned it was the understanding of his officers and men.

"The number of killed and wounded is inconsiderable. The number of prisoners is between 1000 and 1500, including a large number of Colonels, Majors, and line officers. I captured between 600 and 700 prisoners yesterday. I think I will capture Morgan himself to-morrow."

But Morgan with the remnant of his band continued their flight, but being hotly pursued, had but little time