OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE. [CHAP.XII.

They responded to the call, and joined us this morning by forced marches with a force of 184 men, to which they are hourly receiving accessions. To-morrow I shall expect re-enforcements of some 200, making in all 800 effective men, of which number 100 cavalry from Camp Dick Robinson and 100 from Hustonville and Liberty.

This morning I received information that the Confederate forces were forming another encampment at Travisville, distant from us 13 miles; accordingly I ordered Captain Morrison to take the effective force under his command and proceed to that point, and after reconnoitering sufficiently to satisfy himself that the number was not too great to justify an attack, to take them by surprise, order a surrender, which, should they refuse, to fire upon them.

In obedience to my orders he proceeded to that point as directed. In about two hours after Captain Morrison left camp Lieutenant Adams joined us, as also the Home Guards of Hustonville Cavalry. I ordered a detail of 15 men from the company under command of Lieutenant Adams and 30 from the Hustonville Home Guards, which were placed under command of Major Brents, and he ordered to proceed to Travisville, to support Captain Morrison in the event he was repulsed; but before reaching that point Captain Morrison had surprised the camp, finding about 100 troops, which, being ordered to surrender, fled,when they were fired upon and 4 killed, the balance effecting their escape by fleeing to the hills.*

* * * *

They also took 4 prisoners, 2 of whom, as also 2 horses, were captured by Thomas Huddleston, a private in Captain Morrison's company; after accomplishing which, to use his own expression, "He looked for more, but they had all fled."

Among the officers with Captain Morrison were Lieutenant Miller, Sergeants Hay, Carr, Chilton, Smith, and Howard. The prisoners were brought this side the line, when, after taking a solemn obligation to prove faithful to the United States Government, hey were released.

The promptness with which the Hustonville Home Guards obeyed my order to join in the hazardous expedition is deserving of honorable mention. But for our timely arrival the Confederate troops, I have not doubt, would now have been in possession of this place, as they were to move in this direction on yesterday.

This morning their plan was to gather their forces at Camp Monroe, when they were to divide their forces into three divisions; the smaller force of cavalry was to make a feint upon this place, while the other two divisions were to move one on Monticello and the other on Burkesville, Cumberland County.

I have ordered the blockade of the road leading to Monticello, by the destruction of a bridge, the felling of timber, &c., while I have also ordered the Home Guards of Cumberland to hold themselves in readiness to meet the attack; and should they attempt to execute their plans, if we can repulse the party attacking this place, we will move in the rear of the party attacking Burkesville.

Should they delay the attack until I shall be sufficiently strengthened by re-enforcements to move from cover, I shall proceed to blockade all the passes leading into this place and erect a fortification. So soon as that is accomplished I shall leave some one in charge and return to camp.

The cavalry from Camp Dick Robinson is too much fagged to return for several days.

---------------

*List of property captured omitted.

---------------