were ordered to press horses, saddles, and bridges. This we did, but between the two armies the country about Gallatin was about stripped of horses; but we pressed some fifteen horses, and blind bridles, and in some cases no saddles, began picketing the roads with mounted men along the river and between Gallatin and Hartsville. We burned all the ferry-boats from Hartsville down between Gallatin, and waited for Forrest in the court-house, where we had determined to give him an obstinate fight. An accident, which appeared like an interposition of Providence, saved us. The river, which was fordable in many places, raised to an impassable height in one night. For a day or two we felt comparatively easy, when we were notified that a mounted infantry force, supposed to number 1,500, had possession of the railroad at Richland. Colonel Boone called in the company at the tunnel and bridge guards, and with the five companies determined to force a passage for the cars through to Louisville. We went as far as Mitchellsville, a few miles above Richland, and found no enemy, the small force which had been there having left in the direction of Hartsville. We returned to Gallatin, distributed the force as before stated, and called for re-enforcements. Some paroled prisoners, who had been taken about Murfreesborough and carried by Forrest to Lebanon and up to Sparta and then let go and who came down to Gallatin, were surprised to find sa small a force at that post, and said we were in the greatest danger and had no force to fight the numbers that were preparing to come against us; that Forrest and Starnes were up there and would undoubtedly attack us in a short time. We again called for re-enforcements, and Colonel Boone tried until I o'clock at night to get a telegraphic dispatch to General Nelson at Murfreesborough, but could get no response.

Our scouts reported the country full of the rebels' scouts and pickets above Gallatin about 6 miles. Other information received led us to believe we would certainly be attacked by an overwhelming force; and that night a messenger was dispatched on horseback at the dead hour of night (for we could get no word from there by telegraph), and went to Nashville in two hours.

Mr. Fowler, comptroller of the State of Tennessee, was at that time in Gallatin and saw our critical situation, and promised Colonel Boone to do all in his power to have him re-enforced. The next day Colonel Boone sent me with these paroled prisoners to Nashville, and directed me to take them to Colonel Miller, and let him hear from them the danger of keeping sa small a force at Gallatin. Mr. Fowler went with me. We first saw General Campbell, late Ex-Governor Campbell, and told him of these things, and he expressed surprise at the small force at Gallatin, and said he had been assigned to no command at that time, and if he had the authority he would send a strong force there.

We then went to Colonel Miller's headquarters, but he was absent, and we went around to Governor Johnson's. He was also surprised at our little squads being left with no re-enforcements, and after having heard the statement of the prisoners he jumped up out of his chair and walked across the floor and said emphatically, " I have said all along that a strong force should be kept at Gallatin;" that-he could see how exposed the post was, and had urged the military authorities to put a force there, but they had paid little attention to what he had said. He said he would do anything in his power for us, and would telegraph or write to General and urge him to send a force to Gallatin. We then took the paroled men to Colonel Miller's headquarters again and explained to him our situation; and Mr. Fowler, who knew the country about Gallatin, having resided there, pointed out