and the men deposited their knapsacks and blankets in a thicket by the road side and moved on rapidly. We soon met crowds of frightened and fleeing citizens, from whom no satisfactory information could be got of the situation of affairs at or of the forces investing our works. When within 3 or 4 miles of the place we were met by an intelligent citizen of my acquaintance, who informed me that a cavalry force of the enemy, at least 2,000 strong, and a battery of artillery were posted some distance this side of the river and covering the road approaching our works, which were upon the south bank; that guns were also so planted upon both banks of the river as to cover the bridges, and that he deemed in impossible for us to pass them and get in. But, nothing daunted, our little force made a detour to the right, and, by keeping under the cover of the woods and corn fields and down ravines, eluded the enemy, and reached the river just below the bridges and opposite our works. Here a momentary halt was made, under the cover of the woods, to close up the column and give the men a little rest. They then plunged into and forded the river at the double-quick between the two bridges, the first notice the enemy having of our approach being the hearty cheers of our beleaguered troops in the works. Fortunately for us the guns of the enemy upon the northern bank bearing upon the crossing had just before, by a well-directed fire from our own, under Lieutenant Mason, been silenced, and from those upon the southern side he had only time to throw a shell or two at our rear as it disappeared under cover of the bank, resulting only in slightly wounding one man. His cavalry came dashing down upon us in a attempt to cut us off, but only in time to be as hastily driven back by our little band, who promptly turned and fired upon them.

We found the engagement still progressing. By General Gilbert's written order the command was to go according to seniority, and I being the senior officer, Colonel Wilder promptly tendered me to command, but I am promptly refused to assume it, feeling that to do so during the progress of the engagement would be ungenerous in me and unjust to him, but I placed myself and my forces under his command. He has reported the proceedings of that day.

On Monday, the 15th, I assumed command. The enemy had under cover of the night withdrawn from before us, the infantry and artillery to Cave City and the cavalry up the river. Work upon the intrenchments was at once resumed and pushed forward with vigor that day, the night following, and in fact throughout all the affair of Tuesday. Wagons were sent to the wrecked train for the provisions upon it, and steps successfully taken, by the aid of Mr. William Gibson, a patriotic Union citizen of Munfordville, of whom I cannot speak in too high praise, to bring in the ammunition which had been upon it, but which the loyal men of the neighborhood had carried to the wood and concealed. Efforts were also made to repair the telegraph line. Messengers were sent to different points northward to communicate to the headquarters in this city our situation, inform them that we expected a renewal of the attack by a largely increased force, and ask re-enforcements. Messengers, with a like object, I was informed, had been sent by Colonel Wilder to Bowling Green. I regarded the place as of great importance to the Government and made every effort to save it. Monday night

re-enforcements, under command of Colonel Owen, Sixtieth Indiana, were received from Lebanon Junction, consisting of a part of the Sixtieth Indiana, 420 men, including one company (I) of the Twenty-eighth Kentucky, Lieutenant Conaway, which had been attached to it for duty; a part of the Sixty-eighth Indiana, Colonel King,