RAIDS AND ROMANCE

OF

MORGAN AND HIS MEN.

CHAPTER I.

the determination.

"The cause is a noble and just one, my son, and if you have decided, you must go, I will no'longer oppose you."

Thus spoke Mr. R. to his eldest son Charles, a youth of nineteen years of age, as,the two stood in consultation beneath a large elm tree in front of their dwelling, in Jefferson county, Kentucky, near the city of Louisville.

It was the evening of the 23d of September, 1861. It were an unnecessary task to attempt an extended history of that eventful period in that gallant old State, now the wild theatre of dark injustice and lawless tyranny. The lofty but unsuccessful struggles of those of her sons, who boldly and at all sacrifices, have dared to oppose the reckless encroachments of a despotic Administration upon their constitutional rights, are but too familiar to every generous heart that has pulsated in sympathy with her now down-trodden people.

The heel of the despot crushes her sons to the earth; his cruel hand has torn from them their liberties, and dyed itself in their blood. But they were born freemen! And when injustice and hate have done their work of purification; when K^ntuckians convinced through suffering of the great   rror of that party-spirit which now controls them, and of the unnatural prejudice which blinds their reason   when they shall see clearly and appreciate fully the policy and aim of this dreadful war, which, if prolonged, must ultimately carry ruin to every homestead throughout both sections   they will then arise in their might, and like Samson Agonistes, rend with one fearful effort the fetters that now bind them.