Not a good day for surrendering - another Morgan's Raid story

SWMODave

Sergeant Major
Thread Medic
Joined
Jul 23, 2017
Location
Southwest Missouri
battleofgreenriver.jpg

Colonel David Chenault, 11th KY Cavalry (source)
Colonel Orlando Moore, 25th MI Infantry (source)
As Morgan proceeded northward across the State of Kentucky, he came across small garrisons of Union troops guarding important places. On July 4th, at Green River, near Columbia, Kentucky, Morgan called upon Colonel [Orlando] Moore, of a Michigan regiment, to surrender his force to save the effusion of blood. This Union officer replied that the Fourth of July was not a good day for surrendering, and that his superior officer had stationed him at that point for the purpose of effusing blood, and the effusion would begin right away if Morgan desired.

Morgan accepted the challenge, made the attack, and was speedily repulsed, losing heavily in officers and men. Among the Confederate killed were Colonel Chenault, of the Eleventh Kentucky; Major Brent, of the Fifth Kentucky, and Captain Trebel, of the Eleventh Kentucky. Colonel Moore’s loss was small. Morgan left his wounded in Colonel Moore’s hands.

Morgan did not have time to renew the attack, and withdrew, continuing his march northward. On the morning of the 5th of July, Morgan attacked the Union garrison at Lebanon, Kentucky, upon its refusal to surrender, and with severe loss captured the garrison. In the list of killed was Captain Tom Morgan, a brother of General Morgan’s, who was serving at the time of his death on General Basil Duke’s staff.

Thereafter Morgan avoided direct assaults upon the Union forces which he met in his path, and with skill and adroitness avoided giving battle to the Union troops.

Theodore F Allen
Capt, 7th Ohio Cavalry
Journal of United States Cavalry Association Volume 12
 
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