nications and operate against John Morgan.( 5) Wright, on
the 23d, ordered Nelson to Lexington to assume command of the troops
in that vicinity and relieve General Lew Wallace. Nelson, with
insufficient, and mainly new, undrilled, and undisciplined troops,
moved to Richmond, Ky., where (August 30th) he was assailed by
Kirby Smith's army and his forces disastrously routed with much
loss, principally in captured. He was himself wounded in the leg
by a musket ball. There were few organized Union troops now between
Smith's army and the Ohio River, and such organizations as could
be assembled were new and unable to cope with the Confederate
veterans. The news of the defeat at Richmond reached Cincinnati
the same evening, and it was at once assumed that Lexington and
Frankfort would soon be in the enemy's hands, and Kirby Smith's
army would forthwith march on Covington, Newport, and Cincinnati.
The assumption proved correct, as the defeated troops retreated
through Frankfort and Lexington.

The Mayor (George Hatch) and City Council of Cincinnati acted with
courage and energy to meet the impending emergency, and the loyal
people earnestly responded to all requirements and submitted to
the military authorities, either to take up arms or to work on
intrenchments. Lew Wallace, assigned by Wright to the immediate
command of the three cities, proclaimed martial law to be executed
(until relieved by the military) by the police; and business
generally was suspended.

The Mayor, with Wallace's sanction, permitted the banks to remain
open from 1 to 2 P.M.; bakers to pursue their occupation; physicians
to attend their patients; employees of newspapers to pursue their
business; funerals to be permitted, but mourners only to leave the
city; all druggists were allowed to do business, but all drinking
saloons, eating-houses, and places of amusement were to be kept
closed. Governor David Tod, September 1st, authorized the reception
of armed citizens from throughout the State, who were denominated
"_Squirrel Hunters_." The patriotism of the people of Ohio and
Indiana was heroically shown, and their rushing in large numbers
to the defence of Cincinnati and other threatened cities may have
had its influence, and was, at least, highly commendable; yet, if
a real attack had been made on these cities, it is hardly likely
that the "Squirrel Hunters" would have proved efficient as soldiers.
Kirby Smith entered Lexington, Ky., September 1s