cooly advanced under the murderous fire of a force twice their number and drove them from the field in the greatest confusion and with immense slaughter.

Owing to the open character of the country our loss in the last fight was quite heavy, including some valuable regimental officers. The exhausted condition of my men, together with the closing in of night, prevented the pursuit of the enemy more than a mile beyond Richmond, but the timely arrival of Colonel Scott with his cavalry upon their two lines of retreat enabled him to greatly increase the fruits of the hard labors of the day by capturing large numbers of prisoners, including General Manson and staff, as also eight pieces of artillery and a number of wagons, &c. While my whole force was not more than 5,000 that of the enemy was more than 10,000. In the last engagement we took prisoners from thirteen regiments.

Our loss, killed and wounded, is about 400; that of the enemy over 1,000, and his prisoners about 5,000. The immediate fruits of the victory were nine pieces of artillery, some 10,000 small-arms, and large quantities of supplies. These latter were greatly increased by our capture of this place and Frankfort, the whole number of cannon taken being about twenty.

I regret that I am unable to forward with this the reports of all the different commands of the forces engaged. Those inclosed (General Churchill's and Colonel Scott's) will show you how much cause the Confederacy has to be proud of her sons. I almost fear to particularize lest I do not full justice to all; but I cannot close without expressing my admiration at the promptness and intelligence with which Generals Churchill and Cleburne and Colonel Preston Smith executed the orders given them.

My thanks are due to the following members of my staff, who were with me on the field, for their active assistance, to me during the day, viz: Cols. [John] Pegram and [W. R.] Boggs, Lieutenant Colonel [G. W.] Brent; Majs. J. A. Brown, [H. McD.] McElrath, and Thomas; Captain [John G.] Meem, [jr.]; Lieuts. [E.] Cunningham and Pratt; and Capts. Walworth and Hammond, and Mr. Freret, volunteer aides. Too much praise cannot be given to the medical director, Surg. S. A. Smith, and to his assistant, for their untiring devotion in the arduous labors that devolved upon them.

As regards the intrepid behavior of the true patriots (the men in ranks) I can only say that as long as the destinies of the South remain in such hands we need never fear Northern subjugation. But even more than their noble courage before the enemy are we called upon to admire that higher courage which enabled them to undergo without murmur the fatigue and privations of one of the most difficult marches of this war. For several days and parts of the nights, through a country almost entirely without water, over stony roads, with their almost bare feet, and with green corn and beef without salt as their only food, did these gallant men trudge along, inspired only with the desire of being led against the invaders of their homes and the oppressors of their liberties.

I refer you to the reports of the division and brigade commanders, only a part of which I am now able to forward, for notices of special cases of good behavior.

I remain, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

E. KIRBY SMITH,

Major-General.

General S. COOPER,

A. and I. G., Richmond, Va.