John Hunt Morgan and His Raiders

6: Christmas 1862

6 CHRISTMAS 1862 N EARLY DECEMBER, direct from running interference for General Bragg in Kentucky, Morgan and his Raiders were back at Murfreesboro. Buell's army had returned to Nashville, but without its testy commander. Because of his reluctance to pressure Bragg during his withdrawal from Perryville, Buell had been relieved of his command and the assignment given to General William S. Rosecrans. Bragg's army had straggled into Murfreesboro on November 20 and 21. Within little more than a two-day march to the west was Rosecrans and the Federal army, also going into winter camp. As Bragg's army began to set up their tents, Morgan was bustling about with plans of his own. He explained to the general that his scouts probing in the vicinity of Hartsville, forty miles north of Murfreesboro, had discovered a Federal storehouse loaded with supplies. Despite the fact that a contingent of 2,500 Federals stood guard, Morgan assured Bragg that he could capture it. That was only one of his plans. A week after the raid on Hartsville was over, he planned to marry Miss Martha Ready. With 1,250 men Morgan rode off toward Hartsville on that cold, blustery morning of December 7, 1862. From the window of her parlor, Mattie Ready watched. "By 59 the grace of God, one day I hope to call myself the wife of John Morgan," she once had confided to a friend. Now, with the wedding just a week away, she could only pray that God's grace was still with her. Through freezing cold that made travel difficult and most unpleasant, the men took turns, some walking and some riding. At Hartsville, the Federals put up a determined resistance, but with his usual Kentucky luck Morgan quickly scored another victory. In addition to 2,000 prisoners, he captured several wagonloads of supplies , including hundreds of pairs of excellently made shoes and boots, sorely needed by the Confederate soldiers . He also took back to Murfreesboro two artillery pieces that became a permanent part of his battle equipment . These would be with him when he crossed the Ohio River in 1863 to take the war to Yankeeland. Back in camp at Murfreesboro there was great rejoicing , and the Hartsville Raid was talked of as being the most brilliant of Morgan's entire career. Every man who participated was justifiably proud of the way it had been carried out despite the severe winter weather. Even General Bragg, who never had been one of Morgan's greatest admirers, in a congratulatory message wrote: "The intelligence, zeal and gallantry displayed by [Morgan and Colonel Hunt] will serve as an example and an incentive to still more honorable deeds. To the other brave officers and men composing the expedition, the general tenders his cordial thanks and congratulations ." On Friday after the Hartsville raid, a special train arrived from Chattanooga. The next morning the Murfreesboro Daily Rebel Banner carried an item headed "ARRIVAL O F THE PRESIDENT," reporting that "Mr. Davis reached our city last evening and occupied quarters at the residence of Mr. Lewis Maney." Bragg's army was astir early Saturday preparing for a full-scale presidential review. During that event President Davis announced promotions for a number of the 60 officers in the command. Among them were Morgan, promoted to brigadier general, and Basil Duke, to full colonel. Morgan was pleased with his new rank but the important event as far as he was concerned took place the next day, Sunday, December 14, when he and Martha Ready were married in the big parlor of the Ready residence. The entire house was profusely decorated with Christmas greens—mistletoe, holly wreaths, and cedar boughs festooned with ropes of popcorn and tinsel or adorned with wax angels. A huge, lavishly decorated cedar Christmas tree stood at one end of the room. Leonidas Polk, wearing the full dress uniform of a Confederate general, slipped the robes of an Episcopal bishop over it to perform the ceremony. Morgan's attendants included Colonel Horace Ready, brother of the bride and member of Hardee's staff, and Colonel George St. Leger Grenfell of Morgan's own staff. Present for the event was one of the most important assemblages of top Confederate brass seen outside of Richmond up to that time. Four generals were there— Bragg, Hardee, Cheatham, and Breckinridge—and a host of lower ranking officers. One other important person was...