The Daily Dispatch: April 15, 1862., [Electronic resource]

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Captain John H. Morgan
--Bravery and modesty.

--It is undeniable that true courage and modesty almost invariably gone and in hand — The official report of Capt John H. Morgan of one of his scouting expeditions beyond Murfreesboro', Tenn., which we published some days ago, affords a striking liberation of this. Instant report, Capt Morgan, after recounting what had been accomplished by his little command, says:

‘ "Returning alone in the direction of Murfreesboro', I encountered a picket of six men, who surrendered to me on being summoned, and delivered up their arms."

’ The Atlanta Confederacy gives the following statement of the affair as it actually occurred:

‘ While the brave Captain is so modest in announcing the successful accomplishment of one of the most daring deeds of the war, we must, for the benefit of history and the pleasure of our readers, tell of the affair as it actually occurred.

After having taken 28 prisoners near Nashville with his 25 men, Capt. Morgan started them back in three different detachments — While subsequently returning alone with the intention of overtaking them, as he was crossing the pike he observed some distance in advance a Federal officer. Accosting a countryman who was approaching him from that direction, Captain Morgan ascertained that the Yankee was a Lieut Burns, with a picket of five men, who at the time were in a house at the side of the road. Instantly forming his purpose, Capt. Morgan loosened his revolvers, but to hid his Federal overcoat so as to conceal his own uniform, and galloped up to the picket.

‘"How are matters, Lieut Burns?"’ said Captain Morgan, addressing the Yankee officer.

‘"All right, Colonel,"’ responded Burns.

‘"Where are your men?"’ asked Morgan.

‘"In the house there,"’ replied Burns.

‘"Nice way of attending to your duty, sir. Consider yourself under arrest, and hand me your sword and pistol,"’ said Capt. Morgan.

His order was promptly obeyed, and Capt Morgan then directed Burns to call out his men singly. After requiring them to hand to him their sabres and guns, he ordered them to march.

‘"We are going the wrong direction, Colonel,"’ said Burns, after they had started.

‘"No, It's all right. I am Captain Morgan!"’ said the brave partisan to his now thoroughly frightened captives.

At this juncture Capt. Morgan was joined by one of his men, Mr. Spaulding who had with him four of the prisoners taken earlier in the day. After marching all night they safely reached their command with the ten prisoners.

All this but goes to show what can be accomplished by a caring courageous. yet prudent and discreet man. We should have a Morgan, with his band, to cut off and destroy supplied, burn bridges, teacup roads, and annoy, and cripple the vile Hessian invaders on every mile of road between the Confederate lines and the Ohio river.

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