Meanwhile, the scouts began their exploits—exploits so much talked of by the command, and so eagerly anticipated. Oftentimes, accompanied by the General, on such occasions impersonating the character of a scout, and to all appearances one of the company, we would dash out on exciting and successful adventures, expeditions carried on in the vicinity of Gallatin and Nashville, and also in the neighborhood of Lebanon and Hartsville, where a brigade of Yankee infantry and a regiment of cavalry were discovered quietly encamped on the north bank of the Cumberland, and near the latter place. The cavalry was commanded by Colonel Moore, and was supported by another brigade of the enemy, six miles distant in the direction of Gallatin.
As soon as this discovery was made, the General put his wits to work to “take them in out of the weather.” It was about the first of December, 1862, and on the morning of the 6th of December orders were received to report to General Morgan’s headquarters immediately, an order we as soon carried into effect.
Kelion Franklin Peddicord
1888
FACING [50]
Having received from the General our special instructions, we moved off in the direction of Hartsville, to be followed, almost immediately, by our brigade of cavalry, and also by the Old Kentucky Infantry Brigade, commanded by General Roger B. Hanson, whose duty it was to hold possession of Lebanon during our attack. The position of the places closely resembled a Y: Nashville at the top and left, Hartsville at the right top, Lebanon at the junction, and Murfreesboro at the bottom. So you will easily see that Nashville, not forgetting Gallatin, is as near to Lebanon as it is to Hartsville, and it would be quite easy for the enemy to intercept our line of retreat. This General Hanson was to guard against.
When the scouts passed through Lebanon, late in the evening, they were met by many ladies, who, woman-like, had anticipated our movements, and urged and implored us to capture the Yankees at Hartsville. And they added, “Be sure to bring them through town so we can see them!” When you learn that most of the boys had sweethearts there, for it is a glorious old place in the estimation of most of our command, you will not wonder that they promised a prisoner on their return.
As we left the town behind us the darkness fell, and our brigade, like a messenger of death, crept silently, cautiously along, in spite of the intense cold. Near midnight we approached the Cumberland. Our forces had been divided into several detachments, preparatory to fording the river, the scouts leading the advance of the center detachment, at whose head rode General Morgan, and closely in the rear came the big guns, excepting the two pieces called the “Bull Pups,” that had so long accompanied the command on its raids and marches.
These “Bull Pups” had been left in charge of an officer commanding a battalion of cavalry, with instructions to make a feint on the enemy from the south bank of the river. He was to take the direct road to Hartsville, and the one leading to the good ford, which happened to be just opposite to the Yankees and within rifle range. The officer in charge of the battalion was to get silently into position, without the knowledge of the enemy, and when the first gray streaks of morning made their appearance he was to attract the enemy’s attention by opening a spirited cannonading from the now celebrated “Bull Pups.” “The first gray streaks” was the signal, too, for the brigade to move into position on the north bank of the river.
When the advance reached the river we found a couple of ferry-boats which our friends had secreted for us. All the other detachments crossed by fording, and they had, I afterward learned, a wretched cold bath. Along with seven scouts I was the first to land. Just before shoving off from the shore I received my instructions from the General in person. He desired me to be both cautious and vigilant, so as not to alarm the enemy, and we were to approach his encampment silently, and to watch his actions until the General’s arrival with the main force.
Crossing quietly and safely, it was not long until we found the Yankee outpost, a cavalry picket consisting of an officer and fifteen men, posted not more than a quarter of a mile from their camp. The picket was in an old carriage-house. One of the doors was standing open and there was a fire near the entrance of the house, and between us and the door. We were already within short range, and we could see the Yankees distinctly as they stepped out to look up the road. It was so very cold, so intensely cold, that they did not dream Morgan would come after them on such a night. Had they not felt so confident surely they would not have dismounted while on picket duty.