be spring of my rations, as General Buell's whole army was coming. He, however, sent me some hard bread. I collected the balance of my provisions from the country. On the 11th of September some deserters, reported to be from Buckner's division of Bragg's army, reached me. I questioned them as to the whereabouts of the rebel army. They stated that Buckner was 7 miles on the way toward Munfordville from Sparta, Tenn., and that Bragg's army was in the immediate vicinity. I telegraphed this information to General Buell at Nashville. Whether he received it or not I cannot say. I have understood since he had left Nashville. Here is a copy of the original dispatch:

Dispatch Numbers 1.

"MUNFORDVILLE, KY., September 11, 1862.

"Colonel J. B. FRY,

"Assistant Adjutant-General and Chief of Staff, Nashville, Tenn.:

"SIR: Two deserters, Irishmen, from Buckner's division of Bragg's army, came in here this morning, and report Buckner, with 10,000 men and Forrest's cavalry, 7 miles this side of Sparta, Tenn., on Sunday last; have two batteries. These men came across the country on mules about 160 miles. I think they tell the truth. Bragg was in the vicinity. I am building fortifications here with two raw regiments. Deserters say that Bowling Green is their point (the enemy's) for concentration.

"J. T. WILDER,

"Colonel Seventeenth Indiana, Commanding at Green RiverJanuary

A number of Kentuckian deserters from the army came and reported that Bragg's whole army was on its way to take, first, Bowling Green, and then Munfordville. That is what is meant in that last clause in that dispatch. On Thursday night, September 11, I learned that the advance of General Buell's army had reached Bowling Green. Trains ran through to Louisville from Bowling Green, I think, on Friday. On Friday night, the 12th, the rebels took possession of the railroad from Bowling Green to Munfordville. The advance division of infantry arrived in Glasgow the evening before.

Dispatch Numbers 2.

"MUNFORDVILLE, KY., September 12, 1862-3 a.m.

"J. EDWARD STACY,

"Chief of Staff, Louisville, Ky.:

"SIR: S. T. Purcell and R. Huggins have just come in from Glasgow, saying that Bragg's army arrived there at sundown last evening. Cheatham is reported in command. I have a force here of 2,600 raw men, with four pieces of artillery and provisions for eight days. What shall I do; fight them or fall back if attacked? They are reported to be from 22,000 to 50,000 strong. I am posted on south bank of river.

"J. T. WILDER,

"Colonel, Commanding at Green RiverJanuary

"Brigadier-General DUMONT, Lebanon Junction,

"Captain A. D. BRUCE, Bowling Green, Ky.:

"Rebels under Bragg are reported at Glasgow last night 22,000 to 50,000 strong, their infantry command arriving last night.

"J. T. WILDER,

"Colonel, commanding at Green RiverJanuary

I was under the command of General Gilbert at the time; in fact all the time I was there I was under orders from Louisville. This dispatch was directed to Louisville.

Dispatch Numbers 3.

"MUNFORDVILLE, KY., September 12, 1862.

"J. EDWARD STACY,

"Assistant Adjutant-General and Chief of Staff, Louisville, Ky.:

"Parties who left Glasgow late last night say they counted twelve regiments infantry and one of cavalry. Regiments small. Cheatham in command of advance of General Polk's division. Buckner reported not far off. My scouts left vicinity of Glasgow since noon; report no further advance of rebels to that time. Rebels say they are expecting division to-night.

"J. T. WILDER,

"Colonel, Commanding Force at Green RiverJanuary