dispersed and the planks which had been torn up having been replaced the command moved forward to Lebanon. About 2 miles from the town a skirmish commenced between two companies I caused do dismount and deploy and a force of the enemy posted upon the road,which was soon ended by its dispersion and capture. Lieutenant Colonel A. Y. Johnson, commanding the troops surrendered and I entered the place. The prisoners taken in number about were paroled. I took immediate possession of the telegraph and intercepted a dispatch to Colonel Johnson, informing him that Colonel Owen, with the Sixtieth Indiana Regiment, had ben ordered to his assistance, so I at once dispatched a company of Texas Rangers, under Major Gano, to destroy the railroad bridge on the Lebanon Branch, which he successfully in time to prevent the arrival of the troops. I burned two long buildings full of commissary stores, consisting of upward of 500 sacks of coffee and a large amount of all other supplies in bulk, marked for the army at Cumberland Gap. I also destroyed a very large amount of clothing, boots, &c. I burned the hospital buildings, which appeared to have been recently erected and fitted up, together with about 35 wagons and 53 new ambulances. I found in the place a large store of medicines, 5,000 stand of arms, with accouterments, about 2,000 sabers, and an immense quantity of ammunition, shell, &c. I distributed the best arms among my command and loaded one wagon with them to be given to recruits that I expected to join me; I also loaded a wagon with ammunition; the remainder of the arms, ammunition, and the hospital and medical stores I destroyed.

While in Lebanon I ascertained from telegraph dispatches that I intercepted that the force which had been started from Lebanon Junction to re-enforce Lieutenant-Colonel Johnson had met and driven back the force under Captain Jack Allen, killing one of the men, and preventing him from accomplishing the purpose for which he had been detached.

I proceeded from Lebanon on the following day through Springfield to Mackville, at which point I was attacked by Home Guards. Two of my men were taken prisoners and one severely wounded. I remained at Mackville that night to recover the prisoners, which I did the next morning. I then left for Harrodsburg, capturing a Federal captain and lieutenant on the road; Harrodsburg at 12.30 o'clock. Found that the Home Guards of all that portion of country had fled to Lexington; a force was also stationed on the bridge where the Lexington road crossed the Kentucky River.

My reception at this place was very encouraging. The whole population appeared to turn out and vie with each other as to who should show us most attention. I left Harrodsburg at 6 o'clock the same evening and moved to Lawrenceburg, 20 miles distant, threatening Frankfort, in order to draw off the troops from Georgetown. Remained there until the return of my courier from Frankfort, who brought the information that the re was a force in Frankfort of 2,000 or 3,000 men, consisting of Home Guards collected from the adjacent counties and few regular troops. From Lawrenceburg I proceeded to Shryock Ferry, on the Kentucky River, raised the boat which had been sunken, and crossed that evening, reaching Versailles at 7 o'clock. I found this place abandoned by its defenders, who had fled to Lexington; remained there that night, and on the next morning marched toward Georgetown.