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renton Turnpike and cut off our army's Reno, Hooker and Kearney.
line of retreat. Towards the close of
the afternoon, our troops began to give
way, and only by the firmness and
spirit of some battalions of regulars
were they enabled to escape from rout
and entire defeat. Night came on,
welcome now more than ever, and under
cover of the darkness the dispirited,
half-starved troops made their way
across Bull Run, by the Stone Bridge,
and took up position on the high ground
at Centreville. Lee did not attempt
any pursuit that night.

The fight was not long, but while it lasted it was very sharp and fierce; the rebels were finally driven back with severe loss. In this engagement Gen. Stevens was killed. Gen. Kearney also, by accident in the dark, when reconnoitring at a critical moment, came near the enemy's pickets and was shot. Both were brave and excellent officers; the latter especially was noted as one of the most chivalrous and effective in the whole army.

As no official record was ever made of the killed, wounded and prisoners on the part of Gen. Pope in this campaign, or on that of the rebel commander, the severe losses on both sides can be estimated only approximately. Our loss was probably not short of 20,000 men, and it may be doubted whether the rebels did not suffer an equally heavy loss;—a sad commentary on the agonizing trial which rebellion had brought upon our native land.

The next day, Sunday, Aug. 31st, Pope asked for a truce to gather the wounded, which Lee refused. He was eager and anxious to follow up his present advantage, and accordingly sent Jackson forward toward Little River turnpike, to turn Pope's right and cut off his retreat. Pope, aware of this movement, fell back; and Jackson, delayed by a heavy storm, did not reach Pope's right till late in the afternoon of September 1st, at which time he made his appearance at Oxhill, near German town. Jackson immediately began an attack, despite the storm and approaching night; it was met by the troops under

Fredericksburg was evacuated by Burnside on the 1st of September; Aquia Creek was also evacuated ;* and the day following, by Halleck's orders, the army fell back within the defences at Washington. Pope's career in Virginia was ended, and Lee, giving up the direct pursuit, made preparations for an invasion of Maryland.

Pope, unhappily, began his campaign by foolish boasting; he thought himself competent to meet and overcome the ablest generals of the rebels; and in his self-confidence, he imagined that he could sweep the whole field before him. But he failed to sustain his pretensions by the expected success; his campaign ended ingloriously, in loss and confusion. It would be unfair to lay the entire blame upon Pope himself. His officers, many of them at least, did not entertain that respect for him personally, or for his abilities, which was requisite to anything like zealous

* McClellan, in a telegram to Halleck, on the night

of the 31st of August, uses very sharp language respect ing Pope and his movements: "To speak frankly, and the occasion requires it, there appears to be a total ab sence of brains; and I fear the total destruction of the

army."

CH. XXI.]

OUR FORCES IN THE WEST.

215

and hearty co-operation with him; and least, he showed good sense, for at the so far as the army generally was con- earliest moment, Sept. 3d, he asked to cerned, he was not the man to inspire be relieved of his command; and, in a them with enthusiasm or spirit needful few days, he left Washington, and reto give a commanding general full con- tired to the more congenial regions of trol over his troops. In one thing at the North-west.

CHAPTER XXI.

1862.

INVASION OF KENTUCKY BY THE REBELS: WESTERN TENNESSEE: BATTLES OF IUKA AND CORINTH.

Position of our forces in department of the Mississippi - Guerrilla warfare - Murfreesborough captured by Forrest-Morgan's raid into Kentucky-Taking of Cynthiana-Pursuit of Morgan by G. C. Smith-Other places attacked-Kirby Smith enters Kentucky-Union defeat at Richmond-Legislature hastens to leave Frankfort-Gov. Robinson's proclamation-Kirby Smith's also-Excitement at Louisville and Cincinnati— Gen. Wallace and citizens of Cincinnati-Bragg's projected invasion of the North-west-Gen. Buell's movements and plans-McCook murdered by guerrillas-Clarksville and Gallatin-Morgan's victory-Guerrillas very bold-Instances-Bragg enters Kentucky-Affair at Munfordsville-Bragg's proclamation and address to the people of the North-west-Tone and effect of it-Gen. Morgan's retreat from Cumberland Gap-Gen. Buell at Louisville-Troops there - Buell sets out after Bragg - Battle at Perryville-McCook's corpsBragg retreats-Efforts to secure his large spoils—Fruitless pursuit of him—Invasion a failure-Gen. Grant and Western Tennessee-Attempts of the rebels-Plans of Price against Grant and Buell-Iuka taken— Plan of attack by Grant and Rosecrans-How carried out - Battle of Iuka-Rebels defeated-Van Dorn's and Price's attack on Corinth - Bloody battle - Our victory-Washburn's cavalry expedition-Dickey's march and success-Rebel raids-Grant's position and public expectations.

IN a preceding chapter (see p. 179), we gave an account of the evacuation of Corinth by Beauregard and his forces, the capture of Memphis, 1862. and other operations in the

was in command of the main body of the army, to the east of Corinth, moving towards Chattanooga; Gen. Grant held the line from Memphis to Iuka; Gen. Curtis commanded the forces in Arkansas, and Gen. Schofield in Southwestern Missouri. The rebels having largely increased their forces by conscription, were resolved not only to reoccupy Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee and Kentucky, but to invade Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, as their co-workers, under Lee, were doing in Maryland and Pennsylvania.

South and West. The narrative was brought down to the close of the month of June and early part of July, when Gen. Pope was called to the East to take command of the "Army of Virginia," and Halleck was elevated to the position of general-in-chief of the armies of the United States. Follow ing upon these changes, military affairs in the department of the Mississippi In carrying out their plans they pur. were so arranged as that Gen. Buell posed employing extensively the guer

1862.

rilla system of warfare, a system so erals and commanders on many occa lawless and so utterly unscrupulous sions. as to indicate a desperate condition of The months of July and August were affairs among those making use of it. marked by efforts of guerrilla parties In fact, this mode of fighting for or along the borders of Tennessee and Kenagainst a cause was denounced as a tucky, and even in the heart of the latter species of land piracy and highway state. Raids and assaults of this partic robbery, and the men who made them- ular description became quite common. selves prominent and notorious in it— At day-break, on the morning of July the Morgans, the Forrests, the Ashbys, | 13th, an unexpected attack was and the like-were looked upon as made upon the Union brigade, leaders of bands who hesitated not to under command of Gen. T. T. Crittenden, murder as well as plunder in every in charge of Murfreesborough, by a direction. War, under any circum- cavalry force over 3,000 in number, led stances, is a terrible scourge, and with all the restraints placed upon a regular, organized army, there has ever been room enough for acts of outrage and wrong; but the guerrillas, bound by no law, and under no restraint, carried fear and trembling wherever they went. At one time they would dash into a town or village, seizing horses, cattle, and stores, shooting Union men and dragging away whom they pleased; at another, they would attack railroad trains, plunder the mails, burn the bridges, or fire from ambush upon wagons; though frequently dispersed they would suddenly reappear, and, being men of desperate characters and At the same time that Murfreesborough fortunes, no man felt safe while they was thus surprised, there came a fresh were near; the friends of secession raid into Kentucky, headed by the sometimes met with no better treat- noted John H. Morgan. Having ment than those who remained stead- crossed into Kentucky from Knoxville, fast in their loyalty. By the rapidity with about 900 men, he issued, on the of their movements and suddenness of 10th of July, at Glasgow, a proclamatheir attacks, these guerrilla bands were tion to the inhabitants, and called upon able to inflict vast injury upon the them to give him their aid and coun Union cause in Kentucky and other tenance. His proclamation was full of portions of the South and West, and highly wrought appeals, and the usual they gave great trouble to our gen- stuff about "northern tyrants," "the

by N. B. Forrest, a fit compeer of Morgan in these flying expeditions. The Union effective force at the place was only about eight hundred. The sur prise was complete, and after some weak fighting, our men were compelled to surrender. The prisoners, including Gen. Crittenden, were carried to Chattanooga, and a large quantity of ammu nition and stores was brought away or destroyed. Considerable excitement was caused at Nashville by the news of this capture, and though the expedi tion retired to Chattanooga, whence it had come, the vicinity continued to be much harassed by guerrillas.

CH. XXI.]

REBEL RAIDING OPERATIONS.

217

Hessian invaders," the "foreign hordes," its vicinity, and placed under Gen. ctc., and he evidently expected the Green Clay Smith, who set out at once people to "rise, one and all, and to in pursuit of the raiders. On coming clear out dear Kentucky's soil of its up with Morgan's cavalry near Paris, detested invaders." Morgan pushed he defeated them, retaking the cannon rapidly forward to the centre of the and horses captured at Cynthiana, with state and took possession of Lebanon, a considerable portion of the stolen prowhere he freely helped himself to sup- perty. Morgan, though pursued by plies from the abundant government Smith, made his escape into Tennessee, commissary stores, and the property of at the close of July, boasting of his the towns-people. Having destroyed, great success in his expedition. to a considerable extent, the railroad communication with Cincinnati, Morgan, on the 17th of July, at the head of a motley force of about 2,000, with two pieces of artillery, fell upon a body of 340 men at Cynthiana, in Harrison county-volunteers and home guards, for the most part poorly armed and undisciplined, under under command of Lieut. Col. Landrum. This officer dis posed his little force to the best advantage, placing a number of his men at the bridge over the Licking River, and his single artillery piece, a brass 12pounder, in the public square, commanding the different approaches. The rebels came in by every road, street, and by-path; the force at the bridge was soon dislodged, and a furious cav-vance on the 22d of August. After a alry charge having been made into the town it speedily fell into the hands of the enemy.*

A body of mounted infantry was immediately gathered at Lexington and

* Cincinnati, though sixty miles distant, was some

what excited by the news of this capture of Cynthiana, and apprehensions were felt for the safety of the line

of the Kentucky Central Railroad. Col. Burbank, of the U.S. army, took military command of the city,

and volunteer companies were organized. Martial law was proclaimed at Covington, and every effort was made to hasten the sending troops into the field for the protection of the state.

VOL. IV -28.

Henderson, on the Ohio, was also occupied by guerrillas at this same date, who crossed over into Indiana and plundered a hospital at Newburg. Russelville, the capital of Logan County, southwest of Bowling Green, was also taken by guerrillas, on the 29th of July; and the same day, Mount Sterling, east of Lexington, was assailed by a body of rebels. These, however, were driven off by the citizens, and pursued to a considerable distance.

Toward the close of the month of August, a large division of the rebel troops in Tennessee threatened an invasion of Kentucky. Gen. E. Kirby Smith, having his headquarters at Knoxville, in East Tennessee, began his ad

very difficult and fatiguing march, Smith entered Kentucky without opposition, and on the 29th, appeared before Richmond, the capital of Madison County, forty-eight miles southeast of Frankfort. Gen. Manson was in command of the Union troops, which, mostly raw and undisciplined, numbered about 6,500 men. Smith's force was estimated to be very much larger, and, on the 30th of August, after nearly a whole day's fighting, in which our loss was very severe,

he succeeded in completely defeating of Cincinnati, Covington and Newport Manson and his troops. on the 1st of September. Martial law was declared, and the citizens 1862. entered with enthusiasm upon the work of defence and preparations to meet the advancing rebels. So indus triously did they labor that, in a few days, there were not less than ten miles of entrenchments lining the hills and furnished with cannon. For a while it was doubtful what move the rebels would next make. On the 10th of September, it was thought that a battle was imminent, and special activity was displayed in order to be ready for it; but the rebels, finding that there were such means of resistance, and fearing an attack from another quarter, gave up the attempt and retired. Gen. Wallace issued a congratulatory address, but warned the people to be prepared for future emergencies.

The legislature of the state was at this time in session at Frankfort, and so alarmed were the members by this success of Kirby Smith, that, on Sunday evening, the 31st of August, they passed resolutions to adjourn at once to Louisville. The archives of the state, and about $1,000,000 from the banks of Richmond, Lexington and Frankfort, were transferred during the night to Louisville. A proclamation was also issued by Gov. Robinson, who had recently succeeded Gov. Magoffin, and the people of Kentucky were urgently appealed to in the existing critical state of affairs. "To arms! to arms!" he said; "and never lay them down till the stars and stripes float in triumph throughout Kentucky."

The rebel general, having occupied Lexington and Frankfort without opposition, deemed it proper to issue a proclamation, September 2d, disclaiming entirely any purpose of invasion for the purpose of coercion or control, and asserting that they were come, not as invaders, but liberators.

There was, naturally, not a little excitement in Louisville and Cincinnati in the present threatening aspect of affairs. In the former city, citizens, at the call of

It was not long after the failure of Kirby Smith's attempt upon Cincinnati, that a more serious danger presented itself. This arose out of the projected invasion of the North-west by the main army of the rebels in Tennessee, under command of Bragg. Corinth, in Missis sippi, it will be remembered, was evacu ated by Beauregard, at the end of May (see p. 179), the retreat being continued as far as Tupello, in the same state. mayor, enrolled themselves for home Gen. Buell, who had been left by Hal guards; martial law was declared in leck in command of the Army of the the county, and the legislature co- Ohio, after much effort and difficulty, operated with the military authorities extended his lines eastward along the in measures for the defence of the state. Memphis and Charleston Railroad, to At Cincinnati, where the danger ap- Huntsville, Alabama, where he estab peared more pressing, the most vigor lished his headquarters. The rebel ous measures were taken for defence. general, anticipating a further moveGen. Lewis Wallace assumed commandment in this direction on Buell's part

the

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