Campaigns · Morgan's Ohio Raid, Morgan's Second Kentucky Raid, Morgan's Third Raid and Greenville
HistoryCentral · Primary Source & History GENERAL JOHN HUNT MORGAN, CSA VITAL STATISTICS BORN: 1825 in Huntsville, AL. DIED: 1864 in Greenville, TN. CAMPAIGNS: Morgan's Ohio Raid, Morgan's Second Kentucky Raid, Morgan's Third Raid and Greenville. HIGHEST RANK ACHIEVED: Brigadier General BIOGRAPHY John Hunt Morgan was born in Huntsville, Alabama, on June 1, 1825. He was born into a well-known Kentucky family, and attended Transylvania College in Lexington, Kentucky.
After two years, he left the school, having been suspended. Morgan served in the Mexican War; then organized a local militia unit, called the Lexington Rifles, in 1857. In September of 1861, Morgan and his Lexington Rifles became part of the Confederate army. Promoted to brigadier general on December 11, 1862, he became a legendary cavalry commander known for bold raids. Over six feet tall with perfectly straight posture, he always dressed well and maintained polished, gentlemanly manners.
Although he had little formal military training, his innate talents allowed him to excel and earn the admiration of his troops. Morgan and his troops took part in many cavalry raids, ending his career with a 24-day ride through southern Indiana and across Ohio in July of 1863. At the end of the raid, Morgan was captured and placed in the Ohio Penitentiary. Although he escaped from the penitentiary, he was killed in a surprise cavalry engagement at Greeneville, Tennessee, on September 3, 1864.