to retire after severe loss. At the same time I made an effort to change front to the left, but here I received orders from General Johnson to fall back, which command my men executed in perfect order, marching off the field in a walk.

I gained my second position and formed my command front to the rear on the left of an old log stable, and held the ground until the Fifth Kentucky, panic-stricken, fled from the field in disorder. Here I again received orders from General Johnson to fall back. In the execution of this order the enemy pressed us hard, yet I am proud to report that my men moved in order and gained their third position unconfused at a place called the Cross Lanes, a distance of 1 1/2 miles.

General Johnson at this time remarked to me, "Your men have acted most nobly in this fight, but the Kentuckians have disgraced me and my State." Said he, "I believe I will send in a white flag, asking permission to bury my dead." I replied that the idea was a good one, as it would give us an opportunity to restore order and fortify. He called for a white flag, and Captain Turner, with one of my orderlies, proceeded with it to the enemy's lines. While this was transpiring, with my command I gained the advantage of 100 yards of picket and rail fence, which by means of some labor I formed into fortifications, protecting the right and left flanks of my command. This was by far the best position we had occupied, and here we determined to make our best effort. I dismounted my men and ascertained the number of cartridges left, which I found to be an average of 7 rounds to the man.

When Captain Turner returned he reported that the wounded would be properly cared for and the dead decently interred and that General Morgan desired an interview with General Johnson. Whereupon General Johnson, with the white flag, rode to General Morgan, and in about twenty minutes returned and informed me of the result of the interview, namely, that Morgan had demanded an immediate surrender and would parole without delay both officers and men-allowing the former to retain their side-arms-which he had refused, and, said he, "We must get out of here," and ordered a retreat.

I commanded my men to mount, and taking my place in the advance marched off in column of fours and in a walk. We had gone about 1 1/2 miles in the direction of Cairo when the report came forward that the enemy were charging our rear. General Johnson here ordered me to face my men front to the rear and resist the enemy's charge, which I executed, and had formed line, when the Fifth Kentucky came dashing through in a style of confusion more complete than the flight of a drove of stampeded buffaloes, if possible disgracing their former inglorious conduct. There appeared to be a question of rivalry between officers and men for which should outvie in the disgrace of their cowardly scamper. After they had got through my ranks order was restored, and we waited some ten minutes for the reported enemy, giving my men orders to reserve their fire; they faithfully did so until the rebels advanced to within 25 yards, then, upon order given, opened a volley which broke the rebel line and threw them back in confusion some 500 yards. In the mean time General Jonson's whole command, save the Second Indiana, had left and taken up a hurried retreat.

Here General Johnson rode up to me and asked what he should do. I replied that no officer could command those damned cowards, pointing toward the Fifth Kentucky retreating. He then said to me, "I shall surrender," and asked me for a white handkerchief, which I refused to give. He then asked my chief bugler to sound a parley; the bugler replied that he "did not know the call." General Johnson then ob-