Morgan's men and the secessionists.
In
Morgan's rash but daring raid into
Indiana and
Ohio, in July, 1863, his band of guerrillas, after they entered
Indiana, plundered right and left, sparing nothing they could render available.
In their forays, however, they were more severe upon Northern men who professed to be secessionists than upon any others, despising them for their meanness and treachery.
This was especially exemplified at
Salem, Indiana.
After
Morgan entered the town, some of his men went to burn the bridges and water-tanks on the railroad.
They captured on their way two men, one of whom was a Quaker.
The broad-brimmed patriot urged that he
[
415]
as a peaceable citizen attending only to his own business, ought not to be held as a prisoner of war.
“But are you not hostile to the
Confederacy?”
“Thee is right.
I am.”
“Well, you voted for
Abraham Lincoln, did you not?”
“ Thee is right.
I did vote for Abraham.”
“Well, what are you?”
“ Thee may naturally suppose that I am a Union man. Can thee not let me go to my home?”
“Yes, yes; go and take care of the old woman,” said the rebel, releasing the man, whose brave and honest truthfulness won the respect of the foe.
The other captive was not pleased with the speedy release of his comrade in misfortune.
Turning to his captors with the ignoble and malicious spirit which has characterized all of his class, he said, hoping to ingratiate himself with the rebels:
Look here!
What did you let that fellow go for?
He is a black abolitionist.
Now I voted for Breckinridge.
I have always been opposed to the war. I am opposed to fighting the South decidedly.
“You are?”
replied the rebel, contemptuously.
“You are what they call about here a
Copperhead, aren't you?”
“Yes, yes,” replied the Copperhead, insinuatingly.
“That is what all my neighbors call me. They know that I am not with them.”
“
Come here, Dave!”
shouted the rebel to one of his comrades.
“There is a Copperhead!
Just look at him!
Now, old man,” continued he, turning to the wretch, “where do you live?
We want what horses you have to spare.
And if you have any greenbacks just shell them out; that's all!”
