We Captured a Yankee Brigadier: Morgan’s Men Capture Richard W. Johnson at Gallatin

In 1886, retired General Richard W. Johnson published a lengthy memoir of his services in the U.S. Army including a lengthy section on his history in the Civil War. However, the general skipped over entirely one of the most important events of his career during that war: his capture by General John H. Morgan’s command at Gallatin, Tennessee on August 21, 1862.

          Fortunately, the pen of John Hubbell Carter who served in Co. D of the 2nd Kentucky Cavalry (C.S.A.) fills in this void of the general’s memory with a speech he gave at the Confederate Associate Meeting of Kentucky in April 1898. This was turned into an article shared on page one of the May 26, 1899, edition of the Nelson County Record from Bardstown, Kentucky.

 

Brigadier General Richard W. Johnson had recently returned from sick leave in the summer of 1862 when General Buell dispatched him to Nashville to take command of a band of cavalry tasked with driving Morgan's men away from Buell's lifeline, the Louisville & Nashville Railroad. Johnson, with an extensive prewar service in the U.S. cavalry, seemed the right choice. But the Kentuckian was captured in the final stages of the fight near Gallatin on August 21, 1862, an episode the general chose to pass over in his lengthy 400 pages memoirs. 

          Of all the stirring scenes I witnessed during the three years I followed General Morgan, none formed a more vivid or lasting impression than the one I shall now attempt to describe.

          During the summer of 1862, Morgan and his men had made themselves so disagreeable to the Federal forces in Kentucky and middle Tennessee that General Buell, in command of the Federal army, resolved to get rid of them, cost what it would. He organized a select body of cavalry of 24 companies and placed it under the orders of General [Richard W.] Johnson with instructions to get on Morgan’s track, follow until he overtook him, then attack and destroy his command.

          The first part of his instructions he carried out with little trouble for he got on our trail and after following us several days, finally overtook us on the morning of August 21, 1862, at Gallatin, Tennessee. He made a furious attack and after losing 60 men killed, about a hundred wounded and some captured, he beat a hasty retreat. We followed closely for about two miles where he made another fight in a strong position from which we soon drove him.

          Morgan now divided his regiment into three nearly equal divisions to hem the Federals in and prevent their escape to Nashville. Lieutenant Colonel [Basil] Duke led the division on the right, consisting of three companies and the advance guard of 25 men under Captain Rogers. This guard was known as “Morgan’s Old Advance” and was made up of picked men, two or three from each company of the regiment. The proud cavaliers who followed Richard Coeur de Lion could boast of no bluer blood than coursed through the veins of those gallant young Kentuckians on that bright summer morning. Yet, brave as they were, they were soon to be put to the severest test that soldiers ever have to meet.

          Our division, with the advance in front, moving rapidly across the country, soon came in sight of the enemy column. Straight at them we rode to strike them in flank, but about 150 yards before we reached them, we came upon a rock fence which our horses could not leap. A dozen men sprang down, tore a gap in the fence, and on we went in a run. The delay at the wall enabled the enemy to reach and enter a thick piece of woods a couple of hundred yards ahead of us.


         As we rushed in after them, we saw a little hollow crossing the road at nearly right angles and on the other side, through the trees and underbrush, we caught a glimpse of a line of horses. Instantly from Captain Rogers came the commands, “On the right into line! Dismount to fight!” As we swung from our saddles, a thick line of the enemy rose from the weeds and underbrush, not 20 paces from us, and poured a volley into our very faces!

          Taken completely by surprise, horses rearing and plunging, for a moment everything was confusion. The least doubt or hesitation now on the part of Captain Rogers meant panic, defeat, and rout! But no, he was equal to the occasion. No ambush could unnerve, no danger could appall him, for before the flash of the enemy’s guns had died away, he sprang to the front and like the blast of a trumpet came the order, “Forward, my brave Kentuckians!”

          Never, if I live a hundred years, shall I forget the thrill that, like an electric shock, ran through us at those brave words. Our nerves seemed turned to steel, our blood to flame! The spirit of battle that carries men to the cannon’s mouth, up to, and over breastworks possessed us. There was a yell, a volley, a rush, and with revolvers cracking, we were among them! No, not among them, for five steps before we reached them, they turned in headlong flight for their horses. So rapid was our pursuit that many of them had no time to mount. The right of their line was around onto their center and placed between two fires. General Johnson, his staff, and a number of his men surrendered. The rest were scattered in every direction.

          Neither of our other two divisions came up until some time after the fight was over. We had but 225 men engaged and there is not the shadow of a doubt in my mind but that our brilliant victory was, in large measure, due to the prompt action and unflinching courage of Captain Rogers. A few weeks after this he met a soldier’s death in the desperate fight at Augusta, Kentucky and now lies buried in the beautiful cemetery at Cynthiana and never have the fair daughters of that patriotic town scattered over the grave of a braver soldier or a better officer than Captain “Whip” Rogers.

 

Brigadier General John H. Morgan sits proudly beside his new bride, the former Miss Mattie Ready in this image dating from early 1863. 

Writing the day after from Hartsville, Tennessee, General Morgan filed the following report with Richmond providing an official account of the fight at Gallatin

Headquarters, Morgan’s Regt., Hartsville, Tennessee

August 22, 1862

General [Samuel Cooper],

          I beg to confirm my dispatch of the 20th instant, announcing the result of yesterday’s expedition. My command, consisting of my own regiment and a squadron of Texas Rangers numbering about 100 men, returned that day worn out from Gallatin. At 11 p.m., I received information from one of my friendly scouts that the enemy’s cavalry was encamped on the roadside between Castilian Springs and Hartsville, a distance of only 12 miles from my camp.

          Judging from the fact that they had halted by the roadside, I concluded that they intended to march at night and attack early in the morning and I made my preparations accordingly, dispatching scouts on whom I could depend to bring me positive information of the enemy’s movements. A daybreak, my column was on the move and as the advanced guard reached the head of the town, my pickets came galloping in, followed by my principal scout who reported that he was closely pursued by a large body of cavalry.

          Not wishing, on account of the inhabitants, to make Gallatin the scene of our contest, I advanced my column and was greeted on reaching the Hartsville Pike by a heavy fire from that direction. I dismounted the two leading companies to fight and threw them into the woods on the left of the road. The enemy increased his fire and I gradually had my whole command engaged. The fight began at half past 6 o’clock and was maintained without much advantage on either side- the enemy having, perhaps, rather the best of it at first- until about half past 8 when they began to fall back and my men to redouble their efforts. At half past 9 I had driven them four miles and was preparing for a final charge when a flag of truce was brought proposing an armistice in order to bury their dead.

Lt. Col. Basil Duke
2nd Kentucky Cavalry (C.S.A.)

          My reply was that I could entertain no proposition except an unconditional surrender. I learned then that the troops were commanded by Brigadier General [Richard W.] Johnson. During the parley, the enemy had formed into line of battle and were evidently ready to defend themselves from any fresh attack. I divided my force into three divisions, leading one myself in the direction I thought General Johnson had taken. Major Morgan had five companies under his orders on my left while Lieutenant Colonel Duke on my right had three companies and his advanced guard.

          Some delay was occasioned by the non-arrival of my gallant Texas Rangers who formed part of the body under my own immediate orders. They had been separated from their horses during the preceding fight and had not been able to recover them in time to come to the front. On their arrival, we marched on in the direction of the enemy and Colonel Duke’s divisions coming within sight, advanced at a canter and opened fire.

          General Johnson’s forces, being on a good pike, retreated for some time faster than my men, who were on difficult ground, could follow, but after a pursuit of some two miles they were overtaken and compelled to fight. They were dismounted and formed behind their horses. The position they selected was a very good one, especially as they considerably outnumbered Colonel Duke’s force, which was the only one opposed to them. Major Morgan and my own detachment in the eagerness of pursuit had taken too far to the left.

          Colonel Duke reports that on perceiving that the enemy had halted, he formed his three companies and the advanced guard into a column of squadrons, preserving the regular distances betwixt each so as to be able to form into line at command and attack. This was done with admirable precision and coolness by his men and nothing could exceed their gallantry. The enemy was drawn up under the brow of a hill and my men were drawn up above them so that their fire told with effect on the line whilst that of the attacked party went over their heads. After a very sharp engagement of about 15 minutes, they broke and ran.

          General Johnson, his adjutant general Captain Turner, Major Winfrey, and a number of privates were captured, but the main body escaped to the hills, through the woods, and high corn, making for the Cumberland River. Thus ended an action in which my command not exceeding 700 men (one whole company being in the rear with prisoners) succeeded in defeating a brigade of 1,200 chosen cavalry, sent by General Buell to expressly take me or drive me out of Tennessee. We killed or wounded some 180 and took 200 prisoners including the brigadier general commanding and the greater part of the regimental officers. My loss in both actions amounted to 5 killed, 18 wounded, and 2 missing. To all my officers and men my best acknowledgements are due; nothing but hard fighting carried them through.

Sources:

“Whip Rogers: High Tribute to a Gallant Confederate Soldier: The Wonderful Charge,” Captain John Hubbell Carter, Co. D, 2nd Kentucky Cavalry (C.S.A.), Nelson County Record (Kentucky), May 26, 1899, pg. 1

“Morgan’s Official Report,” Colonel John H. Morgan, 2nd Kentucky Cavalry (C.S.A.), Georgia Journal and Messenger (Macon, Georgia), September 10, 1862, pg. 2

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