MOUNT VERNON, KY., July 29, 1863.
Lieutenant-Colonel DRAKE:
Scott’s, (James O.) Nixon’s, Ashby’s, (W.P.) Owen’s, (G.W.) McKenzie’s, and (C.T.) Goode’s, and part of the Fifth North Carolina Cavalry (Battalion), six pieces of artillery, and not over 2,000, all told, and mounted, are all that passed London, and no more coming, from the best information we can get. I saw a man whom I know to be a Union man who corroborates the above, and also states that he was in Tennessee when Scott started, and that he did not have over 1,600 men, and that there are from 500 to 800 men at each gap — Cumberland and Big Creek — all infantry, and that Buckner went from Knoxville to Chattanooga, and did not leave more than 1,000 men at Knoxville. This I believe to be true. Carter is at Cumberland Gap, with about 400 cavalry.
J.W. McKEE.
**********
LEXINGTON, July 29, 1863 — 9.30 p.m.
GENERAL: I sent courier to Sanders, informing him of the condition of things at Paris, and directed him to proceed there by the shortest road. I have now information from his advanced guard, 4 miles from Winchester, that the enemy is still in force there. Have notified Sanders by courier, and directed him to rout the force at Winchester and then go to Paris. He is in the right position. I think the enemy’s force consists of Scott’s, (George N.) Folk’s, Ashby’s, (W.P.) Owen’s, (G.W.) McKenzie’s, and (C.T.) Goode’s (commands), part of the Fifth North Carolina, and six pieces of artillery — not over 2,000 all told, and all mounted. (These) are all that passed London, and no more coming; 500 to 800 infantry are yet at Cumberland and Big Creek, and 400 cavalry at Cumberland yet, under (James E.) Carter. Enemy captured telegraph instruments at Winchester, and may be getting our messages.
GEO. L. HARTSUFF,
Major-General.
General AMBROSE E. BURNSIDE.
**********
LEXINGTON, July 29, 1863.
GENERAL: No news during the night. I have concentrated 2,200 mounted men and a battery; will move them against the enemy soon as possible, not later than noon to-day. Many of the troops are now much fatigued, and a great many horses are without shoes. Will remedy all deficiencies as far and soon as possible. Will put either Sanders or Hascall in command. I do not believe the enemy has yet crossed the river. If he does, or if he remains until to-night, I think we will add them to Morgan’s command. Troops arrived at Paris at 12, and here this morning.
GEO. L. HARTSUFF,
Major-General.
General AMBROSE E. BURNSIDE.
**********
LEXINGTON, July 29, 1863.
GENERAL: The enemy took Winchester about 10 a.m.; his whole force has left Richmond. Reports of his strength are still, as at first, quite contradictory. Sanders is on the Winchester pike, with directions to watch well in the direction of Paris, and to push forward with all possible dispatch till he reaches the enemy. I believe the enemy’s strength is from 2,000 to 2,500, with eight pieces of artillery, under Scott. Four thousand infantry are reported in Knox County, Kentucky, but informant does not believe report.
GEO. L. HARTSUFF,
Major-General.
General AMBROSE E. BURNSIDE.
**********
PARIS, July 29, 1863.
GENERAL: We have fought the enemy two hours. They are repulsed on the Winchester pike, but we fear they are going to attack us on the Mount Sterling pike. They are about 2,000 strong. We can’t hold the city against such a force, but we can and will hold the bridges until you send us re-enforcements, if you can. Advise us. We will abandon the bridges, and fight our way toward Lexington, but we can hold the city and whip them if you send us some help. We need cavalry very much. General Burbridge is assisting me in the command.
THOS. L. YOUNG,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding.
Maj. Gen. GEORGE L. HARTSUFF, Lexington.
**********
PARIS, July 29, 1863.
GENERAL: About 6.30 o’clock the enemy withdrew and retreated. We had no cavalry to pursue. They are trying to flank us by the Maysville pike, but we are ready for them. We will never surrender the bridges. We would like to get 40 rounds of percussion shell, with cartridges for James rifle, 3.80-inch. General Burbridge is here, and gives me great aid by his presence and advise.
THOS. L. YOUNG,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding.
Maj. Gen. AMBROSE E. BURNSIDE.
**********
PARIS, KY., July 29, 1863.
GENERAL: I have found the rebel force, on the Winchester pike, in camp, 3 miles out; reported 250. I would attempt surrounding them, but fear an attack by the other force on the bridge; will reconnoiter, and, if prudent, will attempt it. Their boldness indicates a large force and attack toward day.
S.G. BURBRIDGE.
Maj. Gen. GEORGE L. HARTSUFF.
**********
PARIS, July 29, 1863.
GENERAL: The enemy drove in our pickets at 4.30, on the Winchester pike. We drove them back some 2 miles. They divided their force, half crossing Stoner Creek, with, as I think, the intention of attacking the bridge on the railroad below Paris. They had not crossed the Maysville pike one hour ago. They remained on the Winchester pike. They can cut the road between here and Lexington. I will try and find out what they are about, as 50 cavalry have just arrived from Mount Sterling. If attacked, we will defend the town as long as possible, and then fall back to the bridge and fort, where we can hold in check fully 2,000 until re-enforced. It is reported that they have 1,500 to 2,000. I have not seen over 200.
S.G. BURBRIDGE,
Brigadier-General.
Maj. Gen. AMBROSE E. BURNSIDE.
**********
STATE OF OHIO, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
Columbus, July 29, 1863.
Maj. Gen. AMBROSE E. BURNSIDE, Cincinnati, Ohio:
DEAR SIR: Inclosed please find statements relating to the surrender of Morgan. They present the case substantially as we supposed it to be at our interview last evening.
Very truly, yours,
DAVID TOD,
Governor of Ohio.
(Inclosure No. 1.)
NEW LISBON, July 28, 1863.
Hon. DAVID TOD:
At or near Gavers, I went down and met the flag of truce, by request of Captain Curry, of the Home Guards. They made the statement that General Morgan wanted to pass through our county without any bloodshed. Judge Curry agreed to go and converse with Morgan, escorted by his flag of truce, asking me (Burbick) to go with him. I agreed to do so. General Morgan came out and demanded of Captain Curry to know upon what terms he would let him through. Captain Curry asked upon what terms he wanted to go through. Morgan said if we would let him pass through without firing on him, he would do so, and agreed not to disturb any property. Captain Curry agreed to do so. He then asked Captain Curry to guide him through the country a piece. Captain Curry said he had no horse, and turned around and says to Captain Burbick, “Will you do it?” I agreed to do it. I asked General Morgan how far he would take me. He said he would not take me very far. I asked him if he would let Maus return with me. He said he would. General Morgan asked me the nearest road to Achor. I told him by way of Elkton, and told him I would go as far as Elkton with him. The next thing of any importance he asked from me was if I would accept a surrender of sick and wounded soldiers. (This was 2 miles after we left Gavers, and no other Union man with me except Maus.) He said he had been traveling for forty days, and had a fight every day, and would surrender to me arms, equipments, and horses if I would let them go home. I agreed to do so. We rode together about one-half mile farther. He was falling back from some cause or other. He rode forward, and asked if I would accept a surrender of his whole force. I asked him on what ground he wanted to surrender. He said on the ground that his men and officers should be paroled to go home. He agreed to give up his arms and equipments not excepting his side arms. I told him that I did not understand the nature of a surrender. He then took his pocket handkerchief out of his pocket, and tied it on to a stick that I was using as a riding stick, and told me to ride to his rear as fast as I could ride; that our men were right upon them. I did so, in company with one of his officers (think Captain [E.D.] Warder). General Morgan seeing the condition, saw our forces going around to head him, and that I could not get up in time with my flag of truce. Another flag of truce was immediately sent around to meet them across the fields by Lieutenant Maus, the one that was a prisoner. I came and rode back the length of Morgan’s line, and met our men forming in battle line, Major Rue in front, as I believe. He asked me on what conditions we surrendered. I answered the same terms as stated above. He asked me what the amount of our forces were. I told him I had no force; that I was only a guide, piloting him (Morgan) through the country. Major Rue immediately sent for General Shackelford, who was in the rear of our forces. Then Major Rue advanced forward to Morgan, and escorted him to the rear of his (Morgan’s) line. I rode back through Morgan’s ranks to the rear, and before I returned they had started with the prisoners to Salineville.
I was captain of no militia, volunteer, or any other force of men, but was appointed that Sunday morning as captain by the men that went out with me on horseback, there being some 15 or 20 in number. Charles Maus, who was taken prisoner, was appointed first lieutenant. The person whom I supposed to be Major Rue is about 6 feet high, about thirty-five years of age, hair black, a very heavy black beard or whiskers, and was riding a dark-colored horse.
Respectfully,
JAMES BURBICK.
Attest:
L.W. POTTER.
(Inclosure No. 2.)
NEW LISBON, July 28, 1863.
Hon. DAVID TOD:
DEAR SIR: I submit to you the following statement:
On Sunday morning I went out as a scout, and, in advance of the New Lisbon Home Guards, we met the rebels a mile north of Gavers, and I returned to our forces (the New Lisbon Home Guards), about 1-1/2 miles from where I had been. I remained there until the rebels passed Gavers, and was then sent, by order of Judge Curry and General Roller, to Salineville, to inform them there of their movements to the river and their numbers. Robert Sterling accompanied me. About 1 to 2 miles from Salineville we met a cavalry force ahead, and, coming up, found they were Company F, Eighth Michigan, Lieutenant Wells in command. He immediately took me as guide, and Sterling went to Salineville with the message. We turned in the road leading into the road from Highlandtown to New Lisbon, and followed up the Highlandtown road to the road leading from Gavers to West Point. This brought us close on to them in their rear. I do not know anything further about the surrender until Morgan and his staff came up to Patterson’s house, in charge of some officers. At Patterson’s, I spoke to Shackelford, or the person whom Lieutenant Wells said was Shackelford. Lieutenant Wells also pointed out Morgan to me. When we rode up to the rear, the rebels were standing in the road, just dismounted. The Union forces were disarming them.
Respectfully,
P.W. HARBAUGH.
(Inclosure No. 3.)
NEW LISBON, July 28, 1863.
Hon. DAVID TOD:
Having been taken prisoner last Sunday morning by Morgan’s forces, about three-quarters of a mile above Gavers, and being present with Morgan at the time of the surrender, I submit the following statement:
After being taken prisoner, he inquired in our Home Guards, then stationed at or near Gavers, would respect a flag of truce. I answered they would. He (Morgan) said he did not want to shed any blood, and to pass along civilly through. I agreed to go down with the white flag. I went down with a white flag, accompanied by three of Morgan’s men, one an officer, to where the Lisbon Home Guards were, under Captain Curry. I inquired for Captain Curry, and he came down. The rebel officer told Captain Curry that they desired to make an agreement, if they would not fire into Morgan’s men, they would not fire into them, and that they would pass through the country peaceably. Judge Curry asked if he would respect the property. He said he could not promise that; he would have to see the commander himself. Judge Curry said to send for their commander. He remarked to Judge Curry that the commander was but a little way off, and would escort him safely to the commander under a flag of truce. Judge Curry asked if any one might accompany them. The officer replied as many as pleased to go. Judge Curry and James Burbick went to Morgan. After they got there, there was some conversation that I did not hear. I heard Morgan say to Curry, “Captain, let one of your officers go with me a piece; he can fall out of our ranks whenever he pleases.” Morgan then turned to me, and asked names of officers here. I replied, “There is Captain Burbick on horseback.” Morgan told me to ask Captain Burbick if he would go with him a piece. Burbick rode up, and he assured him that he could leave at his pleasure. Burbick fell in, and we started off. Nothing of any importance occurred, excepting asking questions concerning route, &c. After we left Gavers and had ridden a couple of miles on the road to West Point, a kind of uneasiness was among them, and they inquired what the dust meant on the Highlandtown road. I told him I did not know. They rode very slow, and seemed to converse back and forward a great deal. They rode very slow, and as the dust came nearer, they halted altogether. Burbick then rode back, and says he, “Charley, they are going to surrender to us.” Burbick then took a white flag at the front of Morgan’s division, and rode down the road we had come up (Morgan’s rear). Morgan hollooed for another flag and the prisoner, and threw down the fence and started me up across the fields in a southerly direction, with a white flag, to meet the Union forces, then coming as hard as they could gallop toward Morgan. One officer and two rebel privates accompanied me. I met the Union forces, and they halted and asked what that white flag meant. I answered that Morgan had surrendered. A Union officer came up to me, and rode with me to where Morgan’s forces were, the whole Union brigade following the officer. I asked the Union officer whose forces, and he said they were under Colonel Jacob. I saw no other Union forces there when we got there. The rebels, nearly all dismounted when we came up with the Union forces, were holding white flags made of handkerchiefs on the end of their ramrods. The rebels then stated that they had surrendered to Captain Burbick and their prisoner, understanding from me before that I was a lieutenant in cavalry of Home Guards.
One of the officers in Jacob’s command, who had come up with me, said, “A damned pretty get-off, after being surrounded on all sides.” When they had taken me prisoner, they had taken my horse and gun; did not take my sword. After Union forces came up, and surrender was made, General Morgan told me to get my horse and gun, as I might have some difficulty in getting them, which I did.
I am no officer of any militia or volunteer company, but, on Sunday morning, was chosen lieutenant of a small squad of mounted Home Guards.
Respectfully,
C.D. MAUS.
(Inclosure No. 4.)
NEW LISBON, July 28, 1863.
L.W. POTTER, Esq.:
DEAR SIR: You have asked me to write down the incidents with regard to John (H.) Morgan’s flag of truce, on Sunday last:
When the flag appeared, near a tree felled across the road, I was called for by name. Burbick was seated on a horse near me. I did not consider him as being under my command, but rather regarded him as ranging on his own hook. I asked him, however, to go down with me to the flag, which he did. When the flag was reached, the officer with it stated that he “had been sent by his commander to say that if he was not fired upon, he would pass peaceably through our town, and disturb neither persons nor property.” My answer to this proposition was that I would confer with Captain Burbick, and give him an answer. I used the title of Captain Burbick for effect, for he had charge of no one but himself. I did, however, take the so-called captain’s opinion, which was that had better accede to the proposition. On returning to the flag officer, I said to him that I presumed that I had a fair guess of his ultimate destination, which was the river, and he could get there without passing through our town, and, if he would agree to avoid the town, it was a bargain. He instantly (the rebel officer) replied that he had no authority to so stipulate, but if I would go forward to the captain, under the flag, he might accede to it. At this suggestion I went forward to where the rebels were halted, when a commanding-looking personage spurred his horse a pace or so toward me. I opened the business by remarking that the point of difference between his flag-bearer and myself was about passing through our town; that I would rather he would avoid it; that he could make the point to which I thought he was aiming without touching the town. The answer he made to this was, “Is that so; can I do it?” To which I replied, “Yes, sir; by keeping the lower road here” (at the same time pointing toward it), and adding that “Captain Burbick here will tell you the same.” (You perceive that the captain went down with me to the rebel force.) The officer to whom I said this last answered with a quickness, “Then I will do so,” and immediately moved forward, with the rebel horde at his heels. As they passed, I asked one whom I took to be an officer if that was Colonel Morgan that I had been speaking with, who answered, “Yes, sir.” I stood in the position, or nearly so, that I had first occupied, until the whole command passed by, when I returned, with some of my men, who had gathered about, to the hill that my company occupied. On our way up I asked what had become of Burbick. I was answered that he went with the rebels, down the road, at the head of the column, which announcement drew forth some remarks of a facetious character, such as “the rebels had got a recruit,” “Burbick had volunteered with them,” &c. I need not state to you, who know all the facts, that I had no force sufficient to risk a fight with the irresistible rebel, Morgan.
I am, respectfully, yours,
CORNELIUS CURRY.
(Inclosure No. 5.)
NEW LISBON, July 28, 1863.
I send a special messenger (Charles Maus), who was captured by the rebels, and who can give you full details of the surrender, &c., of Morgan and his men. I send also the statement of James Burbick, and a copy made by Mrs. Potter, which is plain and easily read; also a statement of the bearer (Charles [D.] Maus) and copy. I also sent a rough plat of roads, towns, &c., which will give you an idea of their course and how badly they were chased in old Columbiana. The track in red is the court of the rebels after they left Salineville. They divided into two gangs, which I had not designated, one going to Norristown, in Carroll County, and the other to Franklin Station; but the Norristown gang wheeled about, and, by a by-road, met at a cross-roads about 2 miles from Gavers. I, with three other citizens on horseback, armed, was between the two gangs, and, owing to conflicting stories of route, did not get any word of them until below Franklin Station. I rode on horseback 40 miles that day between 8 and 4 o’clock. Some 12 of us started together, mounted on horseback, with directions for infantry and artillery to proceed and make a stand at Gavers. When within 2 miles of Salineville, a messenger met us with word that there had been a fight, and they were making north of the town, through Franklin Township. We sent back scouts to Gavers, to hurry up the infantry; also scouts to McKing’s Mills, and the rest of us to Summitville and Franklin Station. The place in red ink, X, Gavers, is 6 miles from New Lisbon, and about the same distance from Salineville, a direct road leading to the latter point, and lower down a road leading to New Lisbon. At the red mark, I, across the road to New Lisbon, the cannon was planted, timber felled, and the New Lisbon Guards, under Judge Curry, drawn up in line of battle. Here was where the flag of truce was sent, and conference (held) between Morgan and Judge Curry. The rebels then proceeded down to the other cross-roads leading from Highlandtown to New Lisbon, with Maus a prisoner and Burbick a guide. After they had passed the road they became uneasy, and discovered clouds of dust, &c. It was our forces coming up. The black ink dots represent our forces, commencing below Highlandtown, but which road they came in I cannot state. They got on the road from Highlandtown to New Lisbon. At the cross in black ink the forces divided, one taking a road or following the creek by a mill called Laughlin’s, and thus heading Morgan, and the other pursuing straight to the road coming from Gavers, and coming in the rear of Morgan. Here comes the conflicting statements as to the surrender. Maus, with flag of truce, at head of the column, or forces under Colonel Jacob, and Burbick, at rear of forces under Major Rue and General Shackelford. I understand also that Captain Hibbets, of Virginia, Hancock County, was present at surrender, but cannot give you the particulars. It may be if Mr. Maus was to see him he could tell. I think you can rely on statements of Mr. Maus. In order to send him to Columbus, I have furnished him with $7 of funds. Will you see his boarding settled and transportation furnished back to Salem? Mr. Maus will state about a pistol given him. If it is proper for provost-marshal to give it to him, let it be done. I am writing out statements for our county papers, and will send you one.
I have received yours concerning full statement of raid, &c., and will get to work immediately getting up statistics. Excuse this scrawl, and, if you cannot read it, Judge Hoffman can.
Respectfully,
L.W. POTTER.
P.S. — I should have added that 2 miles below where Morgan was captured, near West Point, two companies of Home Guards, well armed and ready to give him a warm reception, were stationed to receive him.
Civil War in Kentucky 
Recent Comments