ys good, and she has not been
molested."

"Dick, it's possible that we may see Kentucky again soon."

"Can that be true, and how is it so, sir?"

"The administration is greatly alarmed about Kentucky and the west. This
movement of Bragg's army is formidable, and it would be a great blow for
us if he took Louisville. Dispatches have been sent east for help. My
regiment and several others that really belong in the west have been
asked for, and we are to start in three days. Dick, do you know how many
men of the Winchester regiment are left? We shall be able to start with
only one hundred and five men, and when we attacked at Donelson we were
a thousand strong."

"And the end of the war, sir, seems as far off as ever."

"So it does, Dick, but we'll go, and we'll do our best. Starting from
Washington we can reach Louisville in two days by train. Bragg, no
matter what progress he may make across the state, cannot be there then.
If any big battle is to be fought we're likely to be in it."

The scanty remainder of the regiment was brought to Washington and two
days later they were in Louisville, which they found full of alarm.
The famous Southern partisan leader, John Morgan, had been roaming
everywhere over the state, capturing towns, taking prisoners and
throwing all the Union communications into confusion by means of false
dispatches.

People told with mingled amusement and apprehension of Morgan's
telegrapher, Ellsworth, who cut the wires, attached his own instrument,
and replied to the Union messages and sent answers as his general
pleased. It was said that Bragg was already approaching Munfordville
where there was a Northern fort and garrison. And it was said that Buell
on another line was endeavoring to march past Bragg and get between him
and Louisville.

But Dick found that the western states across the Ohio were responding
as usual. Hardy volunteers from the prairies and plains were pouring
into Louisville. While Dick waited there the news came that Bragg
had captured the entire Northern garrison of four thousand men at
Munfordville, the crossing of Green River, and was continuing his steady
advance.

But there was yet hope that the rapid march of Buell and the gathering
force at Louisville would cause Bragg to turn aside.

At last the welcome news came. Bragg had suddenly turned to the east,
and then Buell arrived in Louisville. With his own force, the army
already gathered there and a division sent by