June 25, 1863, The New York Herald
Mr. DeKay Mortimer’s Letter.
NEW ALBANY, Ind., June 20, 1863.
The people of this portion of the State have been little dreaming of a visit from the rebels, though they have long been prepared for it. It may well be imagined that the events of the past two days caused much astonishment. Less than a year ago a small force of the enemy entered Indiana from Kentucky, and after a stay of twelve hours recrossed and escaped. This time they manifested their regard by making a more extensive ride and a longer stay. They entered day before yesterday, and are still with us. They have acted so nobly that we are now showing them every attention in our power. We are feeding and lodging them, and at the same time carefully watching the hotels where they stay. No one designing to do them any harm shall be allowed to get near them. We do not know how long they may stay with us. Some of them manifest a desire to go to Kentucky; but we are not yet through with our hospitalities.
Last week a raid was made into Elizabethtown, Ky., by what was then supposed to be a force of guerillas. They did little damage except to plunder the stores and help themselves to whatever portable property struck their fancy. Horses suffered particularly, they being a self-moving article of plunder. Medicines, wearing apparel and boots and shoes were also much in demand. After a stay of a few hours in the town, the rebels moved off to the southward, and it was supposed they had retired to the Cumberland river. They stated that they belonged to Capt. Hind’s company of the Second Kentucky cavalry, and were attached to Morgan’s brigade. They were well armed with sabres, carbines and revolvers, and uniformed in the regular uniform of rebel cavalry. They were estimated from eight to one hundred and thirty strong – probably much nearer the former number.
After leaving Elizabethtown nothing more was heard from them until on Thursday last. Word was brought that five hundred rebels were crossing the Ohio, near Leavenworth, sixteen miles below this point. Hardly had the news become circulated before another messenger arrived confirming the statement of the crossing, but placing the rebels strength at three instead of five hundred. The Ohio is now quite low, and at Leavenworth it spreads out for nearly a mile in width and becomes very shallow. It is at this point that boats frequently run aground during low stages of water.
After crossing the river the rebels made no delay, but pushed rapidly forward for a raid into the river counties. Crawford, Orange and Washington counties lay before them, and into these they pushed as rapidly as possible. They moved in a compact body, throwing out scouts on each side, for the double purposes of guarding against surprise and bringing in any good horses that might be found. This portion of Indiana abounds in good horses, and from indications the rebels had been well apprised of this fact. They knew the names of such farmers as had fine stock, and were earnest in their inquiries for a Mr. Braxton, who resides near Paoli, in Orange county. On reaching Paoli, about six o’clock on Friday evening, the immediately commenced a search for horses and medicines, and before leaving they ransacked every store, taking whatever they wanted. They found Mr. Braxton, and, not content with taking his best horses, made him a prisoner.
Most of their own horses were thin and broken down, and as fast as they found fresh ones they changed saddles and abandoned their former steeds. Nearly all the horses they left bore the brand “M. C.,” such as is placed upon all the animals of Morgan’s cavalry. They had evidently seen hard service.
Before arriving at Paoli the rebels entered the town of Vallini, Orleans county, the first that lay in their route after leaving the river. Here they demanded food of the citizens, and threatened to burn the town in case the demand was not complied with. The citizens were not prepared to accommodate such a large number of guests, and the delay in the preparation of dinner incensed the rebels so that the fulfilled their threat of setting the town on fire. As soon as they had done so they moved off, and by the exertions of the citizens a portion of the village was saved from destruction.
From Paoli, the rebel moved towards Orleans, keeping up their system of stealing as they proceeded. Shortly after leaving Paoli they made a halt of several hours for the purpose of gathering in horses from places some distance from the road. News of their movements had spread like wildfire, and their numbers were magnified to a wonderful extent. The Home Guard in all the larger towns had been assembled, and made ready to meet them. Two companies from Mitchell, about one hundred strong, started as soon as they could be got together, and reached Orleans about one o’clock yesterday morning. At that time the rebels had completed their halt, and were moving towards Orleans. Hearing of their advance, the Mitchell Home Guard moved out from Orleans to meet them. About three o’clock they encountered them three miles out from Orleans, and a brisk skirmish ensued. For fresh troops the Home Guard fought well; but their enemies had the advantage of long service. The Home Guard were repulsed, with a loss of three wounded and twelve captured. The skirmish lasted about an hour.
The encounter with the force from Mitchell convinced the rebels, that their movements were known, and they beat a retreat in the direction of Salem without attempting to enter Orleans. Shortly after the fight they met Mr. Williams, a respectable elderly gentleman, well known in Orleans county. Mr. Williams was riding a fine horse which the rebels coveted. They ordered him to dismount and give up his horse, and on his refusal to do so he was shot through the head and left dead in the road.
The Mitchell Home Guard rallied and attempted to pursue the retreating rebels but as they were on foot their pursuit was of little avail. A full company of home cavalry from Crawford county, led by Major Woodbury, started from Leavenworth in pursuit as soon as he could muster his men. By daylight yesterday the rebels passed through Hardinsburg, in Washington county, and after plundering the stores in that place left for King’s Mills, in the direction of the Ohio river. Two hours after they had departed, Major Woodbury came up, and without halting, pushed on in pursuit, in the hope of overtaking the marauders at the crossing of the river. At King’s Mills the latter delayed a half hour to plunder a store and on arriving there in pursuit Major Woodbury found he was only a half hour behind his game.
The place where the rebels crossed the Ohio on their entrance into the State was at Blue Island, in sight of Leavenworth. They reached this point about two o’clock yesterday. They had left several of their men on the opposite bank of the river, and the plan as arranged was for the latter to be at Blue Island at daybreak this morning, with a ferryboat to take them across. The reception by the inhabitants and the pursuit by Major Woodbury, not having been looked for, hastened their departure about fifteen hours, and consequently the ferryboat was not ready at the crossing place. At the ford they discovered a force of Home Guards, so strongly posted that their hope in crossing by that means was cut off. The steamer Izetta had just reached Leavenworth, and the Home Guard at once placed a piece of artillery on board and moved up the stream. They opened fire on the rebels and forced them to go still higher up, where the water was deeper. A small boat happened to be passing down at the time, and the rebels hailed her in the hope of capturing her, thus obtaining means to cross the stream. As the Izetta was firing on the rebels, the descending boat suspected their character and refused to land.
At the same time the land force of Home Guards moved up the bank of the river so as to get in the rear of the rebels. These Home Guards were from Leavenworth, and were commanded by Major Clendenin, a resident of that place, who served in one of the earlier Indiana regiments. As soon as the rebels saw the approach of Major Clendenin’s force, they at once plunged into the river, and attempted to reach the island by swimming. The Izetta opened upon them with her artillery and with her small arms as soon as she came within range. At the first fire of the latter four of the rebels were killed outright, and as many more wounded, so that they were unable to swim, and were drowned in consequence.
Major Clendenin’s men were not long in reaching the scene of action, and, opening fire, they added to the havoc caused by the Izetta, and as the boat passed between the island and the rebels the latter saw there was no hope of escape. They turned their horses’ head towards the Indiana shore and threw up their hands in token surrender. One of their number produced what had once been a white handkerchief, and waved it vigorously until he reached dry land. The leader of the band took off his sword and advanced, holding it by the hilt, as he looked around for some one to whom he could deliver it. The entire mob, seventy in number, were models of dripping meekness. One only of the entire party crossed the river to the Kentucky shore. He was welcomed by a citizen of that State, who at once took him prisoner.
Just as Major Clendenin was receiving his prisoners and taking an account of the captured property. Major Woodbury, with his cavalry, made his appearance. They were deeply chagrined at not having been present at the capture, to which they had so largely contributed. The honor of the affair is to be divided equally between Major Clendenin, Major Woodbury, and the Home Guard from Mitchell. The latter, by their resistance, and Major Woodbury, by his pursuit, completely broke up the plans of the rebels. By driving them to the river fifteen hours before the appointed time, they threw them out of the plan that had been made for crossing, and enabled Major Clendenin to complete the capture.
Five horses were lost in the attempt to cross the river; but the remainder fell into our hands. Those that were stolen from the citizens are being returned to them. The captured arms were loaded upon the Izetta, and will arrive here to-night.
The prisoners are now here, but will be sent to Louisville. They say that if their plans had succeeded they would have broken the railway between New Albany and Mitchell.
There is some dispute as to whether they will be held as regular prisoners of war or as guerillas. They claim to belong to the Second Kentucky cavalry and properly attached to the rebel army. The matter will be decided at Louisville.
Yesterday morning a force of four hundred convalescent Home Guards left this place for Orleans, but did not arrive there in time to take part in the skirmish. New Albany was prepared for an assault, and had the rebels possessed the courage to attack us they would have met a warm reception. All along this border we are on the lookout, as raids similar to the one just completed have been threatened for a long time.
It is rumored that there is another band of rebels a short distance back of Henderson, who are preparing for a raid into Indiana. If the people in that portion of the State exercise proper vigilance they need fear nothing for the result.
The present raid will have an excellent effect in uniting the citizens for the defence of their homes. Party and political differences are forgotten in the common cause in which all are interested.
Only a week ago in Orleans there was resistance to the enrolment on the part of several citizens. It was hoped that the rebels would have reached the residences of these individuals and given the anti-war men an opportunity to know what a rebel soldier is. It is not likely there will much resistance to the draft in that vicinity in future.
The various bodies of Home Guards that took part in the capture have scattered to their homes. They are ready to come out again at the first emergency.