fusion, and almost capturing their battery,
which had been throwing shells into the ford
and into our camp beyond. One shell alone
killed No. Three and the four horses he was
holding. The artillery would certainly have
been captured had not Colonel Duke fallen,
severely wounded by a piece of shell, and been
carried off the field unconscious. He was re-
moved by Captain Tom, who, with a detach-
ment, had been sent for him. The Eighth
was withdrawn, and crossed without any
further interference on the part of the
Yankees, who seemed not inclined to renew
the engagement.

When the entire command had succeeded
in crossing, and during the advance on the
little town of Boston, a town on the Lebanon
Branch Railroad about ten miles from Bards-
town, we were deployed on both flanks as
skirmishers until we drew near Boston, then
were ordered to Rolling Fork, to notice the
movement of the enemy; for they were in
line on the opposite bank of the river, and
showed no inclination to come over. Re-



74 Kelion Franklin Peddicord

maining some time within short rifle range
and within speaking distance, we finally re-
turned to the advance and reported the situa-
tion to the General. When we entered
Bardstown we captured the small garrison sta-
tioned there, besides a large and valuable
amount of army stores. We remained all
night, snugly and safely housed, and supplied
by the citizens with everything necessary to
the comfort and happiness of a soldier.

Early next morning we started in the direc-
tion of Lebanon, by way of the Springfield
pike, and reached Springfield very late in the
evening. It was cold, and there was a storm
of driving rain and sleet. Then commenced
a night's march long to be remembered by us
for its severity and the suffering it caused.
Finding that the enemy had concentrated a
large force in Lebanon and fortified it
strongly for the express purpose of intercep-
ting our march, the General thought too much
of his boys, and perhaps estimated his cap-
tured stores too highly, to think of moving
against vastly superior numbers, and those
numbers equipped with a large amount of
ordnance, all strongly entrenched and forti-
fied. "Most assuredly not," said our General.



Kelion Franklin Peddicord 75

He did not for one moment intend to advance
on their front, as they thought he would do.

No, the programme for the night was quite
differently arranged, doubtless to their sur-
prise and disappointment. We fed our
stock in and around Springfield, and were on
the road a little after dark, headed toward
Lebanon. We had decided to pass around
Lebanon by taking a side road that passed
within two miles of that city, and intersected
with the pike on Muldrough's Hill, a few
miles south of town. When within four
miles of Lebanon our forces bore off on the
side road in silence, with part of the scouts in
advance, while the others were ordered by the
General to make a feint upon the enemy by an
attack in front. This was done in gallant
style, and the pickets were driven back into
town in great disorder; we even charged
almost into their main line, then stationed
behind breast-works.

Before we left them I imagine they were
deeply impressed with the idea that Morgan
was advancing on the town in force, instead
of marching around it, as he was in reality.
The farce was handsomely executed. A few
men kept them under arms, and frightened
them so that it is not supposed that a man was



76 Kelion Franklin Peddicord

put on extra duty for sleeping on his post
that night. And when daylight appeared we
disappeared, and soon after rejoined our com-
mand, then six miles south of Lebanon, en
route to Campbellsville. After we had re-
ported to the General he sent us to the ad-
vance to join the rest of the scouts.

Our accomplished operator, "Light-
ning" Captain Ellsworth was sent with us
to tap the telegraph line a short distance
ahead. In due time "Lightning"opened his
office; that is, one of the boys climbed a tele-
graph pole and separated a wire, and "Light-
ning" attached his battery to it.

It was truly amusing to hear the "oper-
ator" repeating the dispatches as they went
flying through his office. The operator at
Danville, for instance, informs Campbells-
ville that the picket has just been run in by
"Morgan," and that he has his traps fixed to
leave at a minute's warning. Stanford says,
"Morgan is approaching with three thousand
cavalry and several pieces of artillery. Send
reinforcements." Campbellsville wires to
Danville, "Morgan is now before Lebanon,
engaged in a hot skirmish"; and tells Stan-
ford, at the same time, "All the troops able
for duty have gone from Columbia stockade



Kelion Franklin Peddicord 77

at Green River Bridge." To Lebanon,
Campbellsville says, "Save a few companies
to protect the hospital and the army stores."

From the many conflicting dispatches one
might have thought there were fifty Mor-
gans, each Morgan with a force before each
town, in ten counties square! In reality, the
boys seemed nonplussed, they were reported
in so many places at the same time, and doing
so many different things. They even doubted
their own identity. To satisfy themselves,
and to prove that they were not mistaken as
to their whereabouts, some of them were
found pinching themselves to discover
whether they were members of Morgan's
Cavalry or not.

Having obtained all the news afloat we
mounted and double-quicked into Campbells-
ville, reaching there a little before sunset, and
capturing two or three companies of infantry,
three hundred invailds in the hospital, whom
we paroled, and also capturing a large
amount of commissary and quartermaster
stores, and, I might add, a few dry-goods
stores, all of which, when the General arrived,
were in charge of the scouts.

Meanwhile, our horses had been housed in
the hotel and livery stables, and had every-



7 g Kelion Franklin Peddicord

thing they liked, and plenty of it, before
them. The boys, likewise, feasted on the
captured stores and the luxuries so bountifully
provided by the ladies. "Lightning" was in
his office the principal part of the night, being
located on a conspicuous woodpile in the
center of the street. Early the next morning
we were on our way to Columbia, which place
we reached about 4 o'clock in the evening,
and there we stayed till dark, feeding our
horses, as well as ourselves, resting, and shop-
ping at the several dry-goods stores. We
did our shopping here because we knew that
it was our last chance for some time to come.
And here, too, two hospitals, containing
about two hundred invalids, with a few well
Yankees, were captured and paroled.

At dark we mounted, and were soon on our
way to Burksville, on the Cumberland River.
This was the last night of the year 1862.
Many incidents occurred to remind me of the
fact, but they were so numerous that I have
not the patience to pen them. It was one of
the severest nights we had marched. Ten
miles from Burksville we descended into a
pleasant valley, through which runs a beauti-
ful creek. The creek was frozen hard.
There were many handsome farms and farm-



Kelion Franklin Peddicord 79

houses along this stream, and most of these
were brilliantly lighted up when we passed
them, though it was past midnight. But
when we remember the people were sitting
up to give the New Year a fitting reception,
it was not strange.

We found as many as four houses in which
the young people had collected to "trip the
light fantastic," and neither the night nor the
command will ever be effaced from the mem-
ory of those same young people. For, fortu-
nately for the scouts, and unfortunately for
those attending the parties, "ladies not ex-
cepted," the horses which had carried them to
the party carried many of the boys away.
Such a temptation could not be resisted by the
scouts, especially as the horses were in such
good position for leading off.

Was it not almost a "blot" upon the char-
acters of the bold cavaliers, their leaving the
young ladies to "foot it home" next morning?
It may have been, but as "our" now excellent
President so often says, "Not if we know our-
selves, and we think we do." I may mention,
by way of apology, perhaps, that the next day
we would be in Tennessee, and hence in our
own lines, and such acts would not be per-
mitted by the Confederate States. Besides



go Kelion Franklin Peddicord

that, when we started on this raid thirteen of
our company had been left behind because
they were not mounted, and they had our
promises that we would bring each a
"charger."

Very many were the complaints made to
the General, when he passed half an hour
later, concerning the horses. He told the la-
dies, who insisted that their horses must have
been taken by some of his men, that if his
scouts had really taken their fine riding-
horses he would have every one of the men
shot without the benefit of a court-martial.
It seemed as if many of the ladies believed the
General was in earnest, for they, the tender-
hearted, afterward begged him to spare our
lives, but please send their riding-horses.
This he promised to do, I have no doubt.

On the General's reaching the town, about
4 o'clock in the morning, he found us in
quiet possession. We had taken it without a
struggle at 3 o'clock, when we commenced
to cross the river, on our way to Livingston,
Kentucky. Nothing of interest happened
during the march. The excitement of the
raid was fast expiring, and the boys were nod-
ding as they rode along. Tired nature must



Kelion Franklin Peddicord gx

have rest, and nature certainly had been se-
verely tested during the past two weeks.

Livingston was gained before dark, and,
passing through the town, we camped sev-
eral miles on the road leading to Smithville,
which town was reached, without excitement,
on the succeeding day. Remaining near the
town over night, the scouts received orders
the following morning to march to Liberty,
a distance of fifteen miles, which place we
reached on the yth of January, and we re-
mained there, on outpost duty, until April.

During this period, from January yth to
the first of April, we had, for the better part
of the time, no support nearer than McMinn-
ville, thirty miles distant, where the General
had his headquarters, with a part of his com-
mand camped near him, the most of it being
stationed at Woodbury and Readyville, and
on the enemy's left flank. For the enemy
was in possession of Murfreesboro, and "Old
Rosey" was in command there. Our com-
pany was on his left, and something like
twenty miles from Murfreesboro. General
Bragg's forces were in Tullahoma.

The stirring incidents, daring scouts, hot
skirmishes, and spirited engagements in



82 Kelion Franklin Peddicord

which we took part during .the winter cannot
be related, as I would desire, on account of
space. But I will mention a few.

Seldom, if ever, were we idle while our
camp was in Liberty. The field which the
General had intrusted to our surveillance was
so extensive as to keep us almost constantly
in the saddle. We watched the movements
of the enemy night and day, and we skir-
mished with him daily, sometimes near Mur-
freesboro, or near Lavergne, Nashville, and
in the vicinity of Gallatin, Huntsville, Car-
thage, and Lebanon. This was a mammoth
undertaking for one company, yet we suc-
ceeded in gaining the approbation of our
General.

By our vigilance, our daring scouts and
rapid movements, we kept the General thor-
oughly posted as to the whereabouts of the
enemy. Very often the report would reach
him, "The scouts are cut off !" but he would
always reply, "They will cut on again!"
Such a thing had so often happened without
our failing to report, or without in any way
causing us to be detained, that he had no
fears as to our success, and our safe return
at the proper time, together with all the nec-
essary intelligence. It did not matter how



Kelion Franklin Peddicord 83

severe the struggle, how long it lasted, or
how desperately it was contested, it was
called then, and it will be called in the writ-
ten history of the great struggle, "only a
skirmish." Yet in no part of the service is
daring gallantry and real pluck better illus-
trated than in these hand-to-hand encounters.
There is in them a greater display of cour-
age than there is in a general engagement.

Besides all this, it is a deplorable fact that
the number of brave comrades killed in "only
a skirmish" is not few. Indeed, there are
often enough killed to startle those who have
had no experience in the "art of killing."
This fact is not to be effaced or forgotten
when considering these so-called "skir-
mishes."

Well, now for some of the incidents of
those months, incidents which may not be re-
lated in their proper order, but which are
true.

"Once upon a time" General Morgan, with
a small escort, reached Liberty, and, taking
a part of the scouts who wore blue overcoats,
started in the direction of the City of Rocks.
Many were the surmises of the boys as to
the General's intentions, but most of them
came to the conclusion that they were to pay



g^ Kelioii Franklin Peddicord

Nashville a visit in person. But it was all
surmise, for he alone knew the purpose.
When we came to the river we saw a Yan-
kee scout on the opposite bank, within hailing.

In his quick way the General demanded,
"Whose command is that?" They replied,
"Morgan's scouts from Nashville. What
command is that?" The General replied, in
a real New England tone, "Ninth Kentucky
Cavalry from Murfreesboro," and added,
"Have you any late papers?" When the
Yankee officer, whose name was Morgan, re-
plied that he had, the General remarked that
he would send some of his men over for
them. As the Stone River was very high,
we crossed in a ferry-boat, some half a dozen
of us, in charge of "Captain Tom." When
we gained the opposite bank we rode care-
lessly up the slope, filed right and left, and
enclosed the captain and six of his men be-
fore they suspected or had time to say us
nay. Of course the late papers were soon
in our hands.

There was one man a little distance off
whom we could not encircle, and on seeing
our action he took wing to flee away, but he
was not quicker than one of our scouts who
pursued him. It was a hot but short chase,



Kelion Franklin Feddicord 85

for the scout's second shot from his six-
shooter unhorsed him. He proved to be an
Indian, having long black hair. His steed
he rode like "a thing of life."

The scout that shot him, and who was
warmly praised for his gallant conduct, while
disarming him of certain unnecessary articles,
espied, unpleasantly near, a line of battle.
This line had been formed and left there
by the captured officer, who had gone to the
ford to make some observations. On report-
ing this information to the General he or-
dered us to cross back, with our prisoners.
As the ferry-boat could not carry all, three
of the boys swam it on their horses. This
collision with the enemy probably foiled the
plans of the General, for he countermarched,
and, after scouting some, returned to camp.

On another occasion, when our company
was scouting in the direction of Lebanon, on
arriving at the "twelve-mile post" from that
place, intelligence reached us that the enemy
was in force in the little village of Statesville,
which was on our short left, six miles distant.
Being on the lookout for specimens of that
description, it was soon determined that we
would go and see for ourselves. It was a
well-known fact that scouts never reported



86 Kelion Franklin Peddicord

"what others had seen," but what they them-
selves had actually seen "with their own
eyes." Therefore, we filed off on the road
leading to Statesville. advancing at a double-
quick pace. The enemy's rear-guard was in
sight when we reached the town, but was
marching in the direction of Auburn.

Several Rebels who had been badly
wounded by the Yankees, were in town, and
the female inhabitants were in a high state of
excitement, many women running out into the
street to intercept our march, and begging
and imploring us not to advance farther with
such a band, telling us the enemy's force was
very large, and included infantry, cavalry,
and artillery. However, very little heed was
paid to their story, but with "fire-lit" eyes,
color in the cheeks, and a terrific yell, such
as only Rebels could give, we charged at a
pace by no means slow, irrespective of num-
bers, driving the rear upon the first regiment
hurriedly and confusedly. The rear regi-
ment was compelled to face about and form
line to the rear in support of its guard.

This was the principal object for which we
charged, to cause them to show "an inferior
force" their entire number. Before we left
them we had the satisfaction of seeing the



Kelion Franklin Peddicord 87

number of regiments of infantry, cavalry, and
pieces of artillery, all of which took position
to the rear in anticipation of a general attack.
Our purpose attained, with a parting salute
into their main line we disappeared on a left-
hand road leading to Alexandria and back to
the pike we so recently had left. We gal-
loped away much to their surprise and morti-
fication.

It was five miles to Alexandria, seven to
Liberty, making twelve miles in all, and the
enemy when we left was within eight miles of
either Liberty or Auburn on a road that
struck the pike from Liberty to Murfreesboro
at right angles and half way between the
places, and this was the reason for our haste
to report to camp near Liberty, where most
of the brigade had arrived the previous day.

When two miles from Liberty we met Gen-
eral Morgan and staff, who had just come
from McMinnville. His first question was:

"Boys, where are the Yanks?"

It was a surprise to him to receive for
reply :

"General, four thousand, composed of in-
fantry, cavalry and artillery, commanded by
General Hall, passed through Statesville



88 Kelion Franklin Peddicord

scarce an hour and a half ago on the road in-
tersecting with this pike three miles distant."

Thanking us for such prompt intelligence,
he dismissed us with instructions to go to our
quarters in town and report to him at day-
light.

Armed cap-a-pie, not sooner did the first
gray streaks of morning appear in the east
than the company were "fronted into line"
at the General's headquarters, for duty. On
receiving his instructions ever brief and
pointed we moved off rapidly in the direc-
tion of Auburn to execute the orders, "Find
the enemy, attack and hold him in check until
you are relieved by the brigade which will
soon follow you." This done, nothing more
would be required of us during the day.

Down the pike we flew at a frightful rate,
and soon came in sight of Auburn and, a little
farther on, the smoke of the enemy's camp-
fires. Yet, without reining our horses, we
passed through the town, up the pike, and
into a dense cloud of smoke rising from the
deserted camp-fires. But, lo! the birds had
early flown in the direction of Murfreesboro.
Again that oft-repeated command, "Double
quick; forward, march!"

Rowels were used eagerly, and our



Kelion Franklin Peddicord 89

chargers, with nostrils distended, answered
with increased speed. Arriving at farm-
houses on the way we were told that the
enemy was only a short distance ahead, and
that the officers were hurrying their men for-
ward by reminding them that "Morgan will
get you," etc.

With videttes in the van we overtook them
at Milton, ten miles from Murfreesboro.
They discovered us almost as soon as we
espied them, informing us "gently" of the
fact, with a round of grape and canister shot,
and thereby wounding one of the vidette's
horses severely. The second shot exploded
but a short distance above my head, while I
was leading the company, "Captain Tom"
being with the videttes.

We pressed steadily on, however, until the
advance opened on the cavalry guarding the
rear. Then right-obliquing and forwarding
into line, leaving our horses in charge of No.
Three, we dismounted to fight, deploying as
we advanced. The enemy's main force could
be seen distinctly just beyond the edge of the
town, the rear-guard holding possession of
the village. On consolidating with the fire
of the advance the cavalry guarding the ene-
my's rear gave way; but soon after a squad



9 o Kelion Franklin Peddicord

of "Web-Foots" was seen hurrying up the
pike to the post which the cavalry had de-
serted.

The boys made the discovery quickly,
warning each other with, "Look out, boys;
here come the Webs!"

We had already gained a position in an
open field, protected by a large fence on our
left and front, and as the infantry advanced
in fours up the pike we opened so hot a fire
upon them that they retreated also. At the
same time their main force was in an open
field, with a regiment on each flank, field and
staff in the center, forming one of the grand-
est "hollow squares" that we ever saw.
Their ordnance was stationed on the pike,
well supported. It was a magnificent sight
and admirably executed. They doubtless be-
lieved that we were about to charge them,
but we had no such intention.

One of the General's aids, Captain Wil-
liams, of South Carolina, informed us the
command was near. Until they reached us
we were under a terrific fire of shot and shell,
with no alternative save to hold our position
until relieved. It was a glad sight to us to
see the Third Kentucky Cavalry take post im-
mediately on our left and rear, followed



Kelion Franklin Peddicord 9I

closely by the Second, which formed on our
right, and the Tenth, which took place on our
extreme left. We knew by this that the
General's eye was upon us, and our anxieties
were over.

The column advanced, and we were re-
lieved with liberty to act as we pleased. Well,
we pleased to go around the enemy and strike
him between that place and Murfreesboro,
which we did successfully, capturing seven-
teen flying cavalrymen, the Yankee general's
horse fully equipped, exterminating a member
of the "Freedmen's Bureau" who was found
in arms against his friends and country, and
then pursued a detachment of cavalry with a
few miles of their main encampment, which
perhaps had been sent for reinforcement.

On returning to the scene of action, the
firing, which had been very severe, had ceased
and we were in some doubt as to how the
battle had terminated. But while passing
near the enemy he took the liberty of throw-
ing a few shells, without injury to any one,
which was good evidence that he was in de-
fiance still. On finding and reporting to the
General, he was exceedingly angry; and well
might he be the ammunition had been ex-



9a Kelion Franklin Peddicord

hausted, many of his "bravest and best" had
fallen, and the enemy was still unconquered.

Our lines went forward with great spirit
and gallantry to their rear, but unfortunately
we compelled the Yankees to take refuge in
one of the best positions to be found any-
where. This was on a hill in shape resem-
bling a pyramid, in the center of a valley, not
connected with the neighboring range, thickly
wooded and naturally fortified with immense
rocks, which afforded ample protection to the
enemy. We found it impossible to dislodge
him from this position, although our troops
fought desperately.

The General justly complained that there
was not concert of action, and seemed deter-
mined to take them, ammunition or not.
But ere the assault began the Yankees were
heard loudly cheering, and we knew reinforce-
ments had arrived.

Quickly turning to the boys, the General
told them to halloa manfully, and such yells
filled the air as were never heard before, I am
sure. He then dispatched an aide to the
officer commanding his artillery, with instruc-
tions to silence the Yankee battery.

In the short space of half an hour nine
men were killed and fifteen wounded surely



Kelion Franklin Peddicord 93

a great sacrifice of lives just to silence a bat-
tery. But they hushed the Yankee and com-
pelled him to "limber up." This was the
conclusion of the battle of Milton.

With sad and depressed hearts we sullenly
withdrew and began our march to camp.
Foiled, but not whipped, we always remem-
bered it as a blank page in our book of suc-
cesses. Although the enemy received heavy
reinforcements, he had not the impudence or
pluck to follow us. Our encampment was
reached late, and we all went to sleep without
being rocked.

To mention all of our actions would be to
write a voluminous history. Such a purpose