unopposed. From
Nashville it would be an easy matter to redeem their beloved Kentucky from
the ruthless Northern invaders.

It was but a few days after the battle that there was a social gathering
of Kentucky officers at the headquarters of General John C. Breckinridge.
Conspicuous in that group of notable men was one whose insignia of office
showed him to be only a captain. But he was already a marked man. He had
greatly distinguished himself in Kentucky and Tennessee as a daring raider
and scout, and at the battle of Shiloh he had rendered invaluable service
at the head of a squadron of independent cavalry.

It was but natural that in such a gathering the situation would be freely
discussed. "It looks to me," said Breckinridge, with a sigh, "that if we
are forced to give up Corinth, our cause in the West will be lost. I am in
favor of holding Corinth to the last man."

"What is your opinion, Morgan?" asked one of the officers, turning to the
captain of whom we have spoken.

Thus addressed, John H. Morgan modestly answered: "The General will pardon
me if I differ with him somewhat in his opinion. Corinth should be held,
as long as that can be done with safety to the army. But Corinth itself is
of little value to us, now that the railroad between here and Chattanooga
is in the hands of the enemy. It is not worth the sacrifice of a hundred
men."

"What! would you give up Corinth without a struggle?" asked the officer,
in surprise.

"Not if a battle offered a reasonable hope of victory," replied Morgan.
"What I mean is, that the place should not be held so long as to endanger
the safety of the army. Corinth is nothing; the army is everything."

"Then you believe, Captain, that Corinth could be lost, and our cause not
greatly suffer?"

"Certainly. The further the enemy advances into the South, the more
vulnerable he becomes. Even now, give me a thousand men, and I can keep
forty thousand of the enemy busy protecting their lines of communication."

"Morgan, you are joking!" exclaimed several of the officers.

"No joke about it. I expect to see old Kentucky before many days; and if I
do, there will be consternation in the ranks of the Yankees."

"Do you think you can reach Kentucky with a thousand men?" asked
Breckinridge, in a tone which showed his doubt.

"I shall make the attempt with less than half of that number," replied
Morgan, coolly.

A murmur of surprise arose, and then Trabue asked: "Will Beauregard