posted by Calhoun and his scouts with regard to every
movement of Johnson. Although he knew that he was greatly outnumbered,
Morgan resolved to give battle and teach the boasting Yankees a lesson.
Early on the morning of August 21 Calhoun came galloping into Gallatin
with the information that Johnson was close at hand. To avoid fighting a
battle in the city Morgan moved out on the Hartsville pike, meeting the
enemy about two miles from Gallatin. The engagement opened at once with
fury. Up to that time it was the greatest engagement fought in the West in
which cavalry only was engaged.
For a time the Federals fought bravely, and for an hour the issue of the
battle was doubtful; then a charge stampeded a portion of the Federal
forces. Thoroughly panic-stricken they threw away guns, accoutrements,
everything that impeded their progress, thinking only of safety in flight.
Plunging into the Cumberland River, they forded it and did not stop
running until they reached Nashville.
The remaining Federal force under General Johnson retreated about two
miles, and then made a brave stand. But nothing could withstand the fury
of Colonel Basil Duke's attack, whose command had the advance. General
Johnson and many of his men were taken prisoners, and the remainder were
scattered.
In this engagement the Federals lost two hundred men, killed, wounded, and
missing. Their general himself was a prisoner. Thus, to their cost, they
found that when the occasion demanded it Morgan would fight. Morgan's loss
in the battle was only five killed and twenty wounded; but among the
latter was the brave Captain Huffman, who had an arm shattered.
Colonel Basil Duke, in this fight, won the highest praise from Morgan for
the masterly manner in which he handled his regiment. It was greatly owing
to the efforts of Colonel Duke that the victory was won.
In this battle Calhoun bore a conspicuous part. Single-handed he engaged a
Federal officer who was trying to rally his men, and forced him to
surrender. When he delivered up his sword Calhoun saw to his surprise that
it was his old acquaintance, Lieutenant Haines.
"Ah, Lieutenant," said Calhoun, "I am glad to have met you again. When the
battle is over I will come and see you."
"Pennington again, as I am alive!" gasped the astonished Lieutenant.
After all was over Calhoun sought him out, and found him sitting dejected
and crestfallen among the prisoners.
"Cheer up, Lieutenant," said Calho
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