up to the very hour our advance guard arrived in town and then it was opened by the operator from London, who came to work the instrument for the purpose of catching Morgan, but unfortunately for Uncle Sam the operator had no time to either send or receive a message, but I am glad to say he had it in fine working condition for me. I had been in the office some time when Stanford called Somerset and said:

I have just returned from Crab Orchard, where I have been to fix the line. The rebels tore it down. I left there at 8 o'clock. The Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry had not then arrived. What time did you get in from London?

STANFORD.

To STANFORD: Just arrived and got my office working finely.

SOMERSET.

To SOMERSET: Any signs of Morgan yet? He left Crab Orchard at 11.30 a. m. to-day.

STANFORD.

To STANFORD: No; no signs of him as yet.

SOMERSET.

To SOMERSET: For fear they may take you by surprise I would suggest we have a private signal. What say you?

STANFORD.

To STANFORD: Good; before signing we will make the figure 7.

SOMERSET.

This was mutually agreed upon. I asked when would wolford be at Somerset, and he said Wolford had telegraphed Boyle that his force was green and insufficient to attack Morgan.

Seeing there was no use of my losing a night's rest I told Stanford I would retire, and that I had made arrangements with the pickets to wake me up in case Morgan came in. The operator at Lebanon Junction urged me to sit up, but I declined on the ground of being unwell. This did not satisfy him, but after arguing with him some time I retired.

JULY 22.

Opened office at 7 o'clock. Informed Stanford operator Morgan, not yet arrived; made inquiries about different things,and after everything in town belonging to the United States Government was destroyed the general gave the following messages to send:

SOMERSET, KY., July 22, 1862.

GEORGE D. PRENTICE, Louisville, Ky.:

Good morning, George D.! I am quietly watching the complete destruction of all of Uncle Sam's property in this little burg. I regret exceedingly that this is the last that comes under my supervision on this route. I expect in a short time to pay you visit and wish to know if you will be at home. All well in Dixie.

JOHN H. MORGAN,

Commanding Brigade.

SOMERSET, KY., July 22, 1862.

General J. T. BOYLE, Louisville, Ky.:

Good morning, Jerry! This telegraph is a great institution. You should destroy it, as it keeps me too well posted. My fiend Elsworth has all of your dispatches since July 10 on file. Do you wish copies?

JOHN H. MORGAN,

Commanding Brigade.