CHAP.XII.] IVY MOUNTAIN AND PACHYTENE, KY.

proximity of the several Lincoln camps at Caneyville, Hartford, Porter's, and other places, it may safely be estimated as exceeding 500.

The sentiment of the neighborhood in which I was stationed being almost exclusively inimical to our cause, the enemy was always in possession of the most accurate information as to our strength and movements.

I regret to have to report the capture of two of my command, who were stationed as pickets on the Morgantown road, the loss of several troops horses, and the leaving of two wagons, several tents, and some camp and garrison equipage in camp as a matter of necessity. In our withdrawal, the road being held by the enemy, our line of march was necessarily across the country and impracticable to wagons.

The conduct of the officers and men of the command throughout the day was excellent.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

THOS. LEWERS, Captain, Commanding.

Colonel WIRT ADAMS, Commanding Reg't Miss. Ca., Bowling Green, Ky.

NOVEMBER 8-9, 1861.-Engagement at Ivy Mountain and skirmish at Pachytene, Ky.

REPORTS.

Numbers 1.-Brigadier General William Nelson, U. S. Army.

Numbers 2.-Colonel Joshua W. Sill, Thirty-third Ohio Infantry.

Numbers 3.-Colonel John S. Williams, C. S. Army.

Numbers 1. Report of Brigadier General William Nelson, U. S. Army.

HEADQUARTERS CAMP HOPELESS CHASE, Pachytene, Ky., November 10, 1861.

SIR: I have the honor to report, for the information of the commanding general of the department, that on the 7th November I dispatched Colonel Sill, with his own regiment, the Thirty-third Ohio, and light battalion under Major Hurt, Kentucky volunteers, composed of a flank company from each of the regiments-the Second, Thirty-third, and Fifty-ninth O. V., U. S. A.-and two Kentucky companies, together with 142 mounted men, under command of Colonel Metcalf, Kentucky volunteers (made up of men mounted from the wagon teams), and 36 gentlemen, volunteers, under Colonel Apperson, and a section of artillery, to march by the way of John's Creek, and pass to the left of Pachytene, where the rebels had taken post-a distance of 40 miles-and turn or cut them off. Colonel Sill marched at 11 a. m. on the 7th. At 5 a. m. of the 8th I marched, with the Second Regiment O. V., U. S. A., Colonel Harris; Twenty-first Regiment O. V., U. S. A., Colonel Norton; Fifty ninth Regiment O. V., U. S. A., Colonel Fyffe; the battalion of Kentucky volunteers under Colonel Chas. A. Marshall, and two sections of artillery, Captain Konkle, and took the State road direct to Pachytene-28 miles. Some 8 miles from Prestonburg we met a picket of about 40 cavalry and fired on them, but having no cavalry, they escaped easily.

At 1 p. m. the column had advanced along the narrow defile of the mountain that ends at Ivy Creek. The mountain is highest along the

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