Kelion Franklin Peddicord of Quirk's Scouts, Morgan's Kentucky Cavalry, C. S. A.

by India W. P. Logan

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 “skirmishes.”

Well, now for some of the incidents of those months, incidents which may not be related 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 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 Yankee 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, replied 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 carelessly up the slope, filed right and left, and enclosed the captain and six of his men before 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, 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 reporting this information to the General he ordered 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 “what others had seen,” but what they themselves 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 numbers, driving the rear upon the first regiment hurriedly and confusedly. The rear regiment 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 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 galloped away much to their surprise and mortification.

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.