• 'V 



448 



A HISTORY OF CAVALRY. 



[PEEIOD V. 



sprang over the fence, and ran close up to them, as they 

 endeavoured to retreat rapidly through the gaps in the 

 fence by which they had entered, and poured in such 

 another volley that the rout was completed. However 

 they re-formed and came back, but only to be repulsed 

 again." 



They were then pursued by the mounted men, who 

 followed them for some three miles, when Johnson 

 rallied in a strong position on a hill, dismounted his 

 men, and formed them up to check the pursuit. The 

 pursuers followed up swiftly, and seeing the disposition 

 made by the enemy, rapidly formed up, dismounted 

 under cover of a hill, charged and carried the position 

 on foot. 



The Federal force on this occasion was carefully picked, 

 and composed of the best cavalry in the Federal army, 

 and placed under General Johnson, who was selected as 

 their best and most dashing cavalry officer, and sent out 

 specially to destroy Morgan's command. It will be seen 

 that Johnson relied on the sabre. He was totally 

 defeated, and he himself and a large body of his men 

 captured. General Duke bears testimony to the great 

 gallantry displayed by both oflficers and men of tlie 

 Federal force, and after referring to their attempt to use 

 their sabres, he says General Johnson " was evidently a 

 fine officer, but seeded not to comprehend 'the new 

 style of cavalry ' at all." 



This contempt for the sword is very peculiar. In- 

 stances can be found without number of cavalry who 

 would rather themselves rely upon their firearms than 

 their sabres, but there is no war recorded in history in 

 which the charge, sword in hand, at speed, did not exert 

 a great moral influence upon the enemy until we reach 

 the novel experiences of the American Civil War. 



In July, 1863, General Morgan made his boldest and 

 most extensive raid through Kentucky and Indiana, and 

 but for a sudden and totally unexpected swelling of the 

 Ohio river, which rendered all the fords impassable, he 

 would have been entirely successful. After doing great 

 damage in the enemy's rear, he was at last cut off" on the 



