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| John Hunt Morgan |
Although the Battle of Perryville was a tactical victory for the
Confederates, Gen. Braxton Bragg refused to follow up on it. Ignoring
the protests of subordinates like Kirby Smith, he ordered the army to
fall back to Tennessee through Cumberland Gap. Confederate cavalry
under John Hunt Morgan fought hard to cover his retreat and gain
whatever success they could.
On the morning of October 18th, 150 years ago today, Morgan got word
that there were Federals camped around Ashland, the estate of the
great politician Henry Clay. He was able to completely surprise the
Federals, 300 men of the 3rd and 4th Ohio, catching them asleep with
his 1,800 men. The battle was over within 15 minutes, with four Union
troops killed, 24 wounded and 290 captured. The Confederate success
was complete, suffering few casualties themselves.
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