in the Confederate
army. General Hardie asked that he be made a Major-General. Hardie knew
Morgan, and appreciated his worth, but for some reason President Davis
refused the request.
CHAPTER XI.
MORGAN'S SECOND GREAT RAID.
General Morgan was allowed but ten days' rest after his return from his
great victory at Hartsville. General Rosecrans had finished repairing the
Louisville and Nashville Railroad, and trains were running again between
the two cities. Reports had been brought to General Bragg that the Federal
troops at Nashville were suffering greatly for want of food; that military
stores of all kinds were short; and he thought if the road were again
broken, Rosecrans would be forced to fall back on account of supplies. Who
so willing and able to break it as General Morgan?
But there was little use of trying to raid the road south of Bowling
Green, for it was guarded by thousands of men. To cripple the road
effectually meant another raid clear through the state of Kentucky. To
this General Morgan was not averse.
When his men heard that another raid was to be made into Kentucky, their
enthusiasm knew no bounds. What cared they for the dangers to be
encountered, for long rides, for sleepless nights, and the tremendous
fatigue they would be called upon to endure? They were to stir up the
Yankees once more; that was enough.
"Kentucky! Ho, for Kentucky!" was their cry, and they shouted and sang
until they could shout and sing no longer for want of breath.
Bragg was fully alive to the importance of the expedition, and was willing
to give Morgan all the troops he could possibly spare. Morgan was soon at
the head of the most formidable force he had ever commanded. It consisted
of over three thousand cavalry, with a full battery, besides his own light
battery.
The task which had been assigned him was indeed a perilous one. It was to
ride almost to the very gates of Louisville, and to destroy the immense
trestle works at Muldraugh Hill. This done, the Louisville and Nashville
Railroad would again be effectually crippled for weeks.
He set out from Alexandria, on December 22, and in two days he was in
Glasgow, Kentucky. The citizens of Glasgow had come to look upon Morgan as
a monthly visitor by this time; therefore they were not surprised at his
coming. Here he met with the first Federal force, which was quickly
scattered.
Remaining in Glas
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