watering trough of Lake Erie, and fled north through the tier of
river counties, keeping within a few miles of the Ohio. The river
was low, but not fordable except at Coxe's Riffle, a few miles
below Steubenville. Headed at this point also, he struck across
the country and passed through Wintersville, a small village five
miles west of Steubenville. That was a memorable Saturday in
Wintersville. Morgan's progress across the State had been watched
with the most feverish anxiety, and the dread that the village
might lie in his path filled the hearts of many. The wildest
rumors passed current. Morgan and his "guerrillas," it was said,
would kill all the men, lay the village in ashes, and carry off
the women and children. The militia, or "hundred-day men," who
lived in or near the village, drilled in the village streets, and
fired rattling volleys of blank cartridges at a board fence, in
preparation for the coming conflict. On Friday evening word came
that Morgan would attempt to force a passage at Coxe's Riffle the
next morning, and the militia marched to Steubenville to help
intercept him. A bloody battle was expected. About the middle of
the forenoon a horseman dashed into the village shouting,
"Morgan's coming! He's just down at John Hanna's!" and galloped
on to warn others. Mr. Hanna was a farmer living about a mile
south of the village. He had shouldered his musket and gone with
the militia, leaving his wife and two children at home. About ten
o'clock Morgan's men were seen coming up the road. Mrs. Hanna
with her children attempted to reach a neighbor's house, but they
were overtaken and ordered to the house, which they found full of
soldiers. Morgan and his officers were stretched, dusty clothes,
boots, and all, upon her beds, and a negro was getting dinner.
While the third table was eating, a squad of militiamen appeared
on a neighboring hill. Morgan ordered their capture, saying,