And interesting Journey.
The
Atlanta (Ga.) Southern Confederacy, of
Augusta 16th, gives an interesting account of a recent trip to New York and back, by
Dr. F. H. Orme, who left
Atlanta on the 10th of Julylast, for the purpose of bringing a couple of ladies to the
South.
The
Doctor, with his lady companions, had succeeded, after many hair breadth escapes, in passing through
Louisville and Gallantin, on his way to
Atlanta.
The
Confederacy thus gives the conclusion of his narrative, which we copy, as possessing all the interest of romance, and as connected with the movements of the gallant
John H. Morgan.
The editor says:
‘
The exact route he (
Dr. Orme) travelled we will not indicate.
He passed over the most rugged and sparsely populated country in
Tennessee.
Often the ladies were compelled to walk up steep mountains — the horses being able only to pull the wagon and the trunks.--Often neither they nor the horses could get anything to eat. One of the horses had nothing to eat for 24 hours. This was owing to the spares population, and also to the cavalry scouts of both sides having exhausted the country of everything that a horse could eat.
Stopping at a hotel in a village one night, this side of the section frequented by the
Yankees, and considering themselves safe, they were aroused and somewhat alarmed at a late hour of the night by an officer with a squad of men riding up and rapidly asking a number of hard questions.
The
Doctor looked out and saw the officer finely mounted, having on a full blue Yankee uniform.
The lady of the house was in great distress when the
Doctor and the ladies arrived in the evening, saying a gang of rebel marauders, but a few hours before, had arrested and carried away her husband, (a Union man,) and she was afraid they had hung him. She was now in greater trepidation.
The officer demanded if any one was stopping at the house, and was informed that a strange gentleman with two ladies was there.
The officer demanded to see the gentleman at once.
Several citizens of the village had collected at the hotel to try to find out who the strange gentleman and ladies were, and where they were going to, but had not directly approached the
Doctor on the subject.
When he came out, in compliance with the officer's demands, they at once gathered around to hear his story and learn what they so much desired.
The officer, however, called the
Doctor to accompany him aside alone, directing the crowd to remain where they were.
The officer then asked the
Doctor who he was, who the ladies were, where they were going, &c. He repli- ed frankly, telling him all — that be was from
Atlanta, giving his real name, and concealing nothing of his identity or objects.
As soon as the officer was satisfied of the truth of his statements, he extended his hand, grasping the
Doctor's most cordially, saying, ‘"My name is
Morgan.
I am happy to meet you. You are the very man above all others whom I could have wished to find."’ He then made particular inquiry as to the strength of the
Federals at
Gallatin and the vicinity; informed the
Doctor he was going there to destroy the
Louisville & Nashville R. R.
burn up the trestle work, blow up the tunnel if possible, and do whatever he might find necessary or proper in his line.
Morgan told him that he would be at
Gallatin on Staurday or Sunday, the 9th or 10th of this month.
Before reaching
London, on the
East Tennessee and Georgia Railroad, he heard that
Gallatin was taken by the rebels on Sunday, and felt sure it was done by
Morgan.
The
Doctor says
Morgan had only 300 men with him, and that
Col. Boone with a regiment was at
Gallatin; but he gave it to
Morgan as his opinion that
Boone's men were so much dissatisfied at the Abolition features the war has lately assumed, and on that account so much demoralized, that his force could be easily overcome by them.
Morgan coincided in this view, and said he was
bound to accomplish the work. We have no doubt he did it effectually on Sunday the 10th inst.
The doctor learned that it was
Morgan's men who had arrested the
Union hotel keeper, and inquired what he was arrested for, and what could be done with him.
Morgan told him the scamp was arrested, only to prevent his running off and giving the
Federals information of his passing through; that as soon as they had taken him to a point where he could give no information to the enemy in time to do any mischief, he would be released.
P. S — Since the foregoing was written the telegraph confirms the taking of
Gallatin by
Morgan.
’
