tucky Infantry, under Colonel Landram; 100 cincinnati police, under Captain Dudley, and 100 Home Guards, under Captain Faulkner, of Garrard, leaving balance of force to protect Lexington.

At 12 o'clock at night I moved from Lexington toward Paris and overtook Colonel Metcalfe within 6 miles of Paris with a portion of his regiment and some Home Guards, numbering about 500, and three pieces of large artillery, of little use on a chase. With this column I moved on toward Paris, determining to govern the disposition of my command by the position of the enemy.

At 9 o'clock the evening before I sent an order to Colonel Maxwell, who had reached Georgetown, to move on toward Paris without delay, and when within 4 or 5 miles of the town halt and notify me; that he should be in that distance of Paris by daylight. When I reached Metcalfe's camp I dispatched a messenger to Colonel Maxwell to move on rapidly and occupy the Lexington road, that I might cross over to the Winchester pike, which could have been done in a short time. I did not deem it prudent to leave the Lexington road without a force. I heard nothing from Colonel Maxwell. In a few minutes afterward my advance began to fight. I dispatched another messenger to Colonel Maxwell to me know his position, and also to move in haste and hold the position I had before designated. I heard nothing from him. In half an hour more I sent the third messenger, but with same result; therefore I did not know whether Colonel Maxwell was in reach or not. My advance by this time was skirmishing heavily and I had thrown out Colonel Landram's command to clear the woods, my column moving on with them a quarter of a mile in rear. From all indications and the advantage of the ground, with a creek and bridge in front to cross, I believed the enemy had taken position on the Lexington pike and intended to give fight on that side of Paris. I could not divide my force, for half were raw Home Guards, badly armed, without sabers, and many without pistols. I pressed on, however, determining to give him battle wherever found.

At or near the bridge 1 mile from Paris, on Lexington pike, I received a dispatch from a very reliable gentleman living in Paris that General Morgan, 1,500 strong, was in line of battle and somewhat fortified in Garrett Davis' woods, south of the town, and would make a stand. Within fighting in front and the information that the enemy was ready to receive me I could do nothing else than advance. As I did, my advance pushed back the enemy and made a dash into town, when I found that Morgan had retreated rapidly toward Winchester. I occupied his encampment, and in a short time Colonel Maxwell came up, when I learned that 4 miles from town he had formed line of battle and remained so for near two hours.

When Colonel Maxwell reached me I found his troops as well as my own, jaded, tired, and hungry, but intended to move forward without delay. My orders had been issued, when Captain Brunt[?] of Paris Home Guard, came to me in great speed with the intelligence that Morgan had been re-enforced 7 miles from town by 2,000 men, under Colonel Williams, and were returning to Paris. He told me his informant was a reliable man and had seen the forces. I could not doubt he report, and therefore prepared to receive him in the position I occupied. I sent, however, Colonel Metcalfe, with 250 of his men, to examine the country and ascertain the facts. He returned in the evening with report of no one in front of him.

In the mean time the men got something to eat, horses fed, and orders were given to march, when a very heavy, drenching thunder