in numbers and position I determined to give him battle, and immediately ordered my men forward and the fight commenced. After an engagement of one hour and twenty minutes I succeeded in driving them from the strongest natural position I have ever seen in complete rout toward Richmond, when night put an end to the pursuit. The jaded condition of my horses alone prevented my capturing the whole command. Learning this morning that Richmond was re-enforced during the night with a brigade of infantry and four pieces of artillery from Lexington I fell back to this place.

My loss in the engagement is 4 killed, 12 wounded, and 21 horses. The enemy left upon the field in killed and wounded 120 men. I have captured and paroled near 150 prisoners and my men are still bringing them in from the mountains.

I captured and brought away from the vicinity of Richmond a wagon train (27 in number), with 40 to 50 extra mules. I have taken up to the present time about 175 wagons and 650 mules and horses. I am unable to give you a report of the contents of the wagons, as I have not received the statement from my brigade quartermaster and commissary, who are stationed at London to forward the trains to you.

I refer you to the inclosed letter* for the numbers and position of the enemy, so far as I have been able to ascertain.

I cannot close my report without making mention of the gallant conduct of the troops comprising the Kirby Smith brigade-First Georgia Cavalry, Colonel Morrison; First Louisiana Cavalry, Lieutentant-Colonel Nixon commanding, and the Buckner Guards, a Kentucky company, commanded by Captain Garnett. They all bore the privation and fatigue of the trip without murmur and conducted themselves most gallantly in the presence of the enemy.

Very respectfully,

J. S. SCOTT,

Colonel, Commanding Brigade.

Major General E. KIRBY SMITH.

HEADQUARTERS KIRBY SMITH'S BRIGADE,
Big Mill, Madison County, Ky., August 24, 1862.

SIR: I have forwarded to General Smith through you a report of my engagement near this place. During the chase I captured the horses of Colonel Metcalfe and his coat containing his private papers, among which was a letter from General L. Wallace, commanding at Lexington, stating that he would move a brigade of infantry and four pieces of artillery to Richmond on the 23d. A portion od this force reached Richmond on the 23rd and the remainder on the morning of the 24th. I would have taken Richmond on the night of the 23d, but had ridden 25 miles over a very broken country before the fight commenced and chased the enemy 10 miles, which so completely crippled up my horses I could go no farther. General G. Clay Smith has a brigade of cavalry at Crab Orchard.

Enlisting is going on rapidly under the various appliances of the Federals and the State is in great excitement. The camp of instruction has been changed from Dick Robinson to Cynthiana, in Harrison County. The Legislature is in session. George McDuffie has resigned and James F. Robinson elected in his stead. Forty or fifty Kentuckians came into camp this evening to join me, and report large numbers in the adjacent anxious to enlist in the Confederate service,

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* Not found.

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