No. 4.

Report of Brigadier General James S. Jackson, U. S. Army, Chief of Cavalry, including operations August 28-30.

HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION, ARMY OF KENTUCKY.

GENERAL: On Monday, August 25, you gave me the following verbal order:

You will proceed to Nicholasville and take command of the two battalions of Jacob's Ninth Kentucky Cavalry, and go thence to Hickman's Bridge, and take command of the Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry, commanded by Colonel Williams. You will then take position on the flank of the enemy and observe his movements. You will be very cautions. Colonel Jacob's regiment is just recruited, and you must not risk an engagement unless the changes are in your favor. You will from time to time send me such information as may be obtained.

In obedience to these instructions I proceeded to Crab Orchard, throwing out my advance to the Big Hill and Mount Vernon, also keeping a close watch on the road from Somerset to London and Barboursville. I ascertained distinctly at 9 p.m. on Thursday, August 28, the actual force the enemy, and dispatched the same to you at Richmond by a reliable courier. Knowing the force of the enemy, as I did, you may be satisfied that I was astounded at receiving from you the following dispatch, dated Saturday, August 30, at 1.30 p.m.:

They are fighting at Richmond. Proceed there at once.

With my entire command of two regiments of cavalry, Colonel Williams' Ninth Pennsylvania, and Colonel Jacob's Ninth Kentucky, I proceeded at once in the direction of Richmond. Reports of disaster to our forces reached me when within 14 miles. When I arrived within 6 miles of Richmond I became satisfied that you were falling back, if not routed. I determined at once to pass around the town and fall in with your command on the road to Lexington. At 4.30 a.m. the next day I halted near the Lexington and Richmond road, on the farm of Major General C. M. Clay, and undertook at once to ascertain the whereabouts of your command. At 7.30 a.m. I observed from an elevation a force of the enemy's cavalry, artillery, and infantry passing to Clay's Ferry, in the direction of Lexington. It was also reported that a column was advancing toward Lexington on the Tait's Creek road. My command lying at this time between the two roads, I crossed the Kentucky River at the mouth of Jack's Creek, with the view of passing around to the front of the enemy on the Clay's Ferry road, leading from Lexington to Richmond. I there fell in with a force of infantry, under the command of Colonel Dan. McCook, of the Fifty-second Ohio, and fell back slowly and in order with him to Lexington, and there reported to Major-General Wright.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. S. JACKSON,

Brigadier-General Volunteers, Chief of Cavalry.

Major-General NELSON,

Commanding Army of Kentucky.

No. 5.

Report of Brigadier General Mahlon D. Manson, U. S. Army, commanding First Brigade.

INDIANAPOLIS, IND., September 10, 1862.

SIR: I have the honor to transmit the following report of the part