The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1862-09-06
TEE WAR IL KENTUCKY.

Next In Importance to the movements
in the vicinity of Washington during the
past week, have been the events in Ken
lucky. A week ago we chronicled the
fact that Gen. Morgan. who occupies Cum.
berland Gap with some 10000 men, was
threatened by q large rebel force under
Gen. Bragg in front, and by another large
rebel force. said to be 10000, under Kirby
Smith, in his rear. The latter, instead of
wasting his time on Gen. Morgan, marched
straight from the Tennessee line for Lex
ington, Ky. Gen. Mason, who had COM
mand at Lexington, gathered up all his
available forces, some 5000 men, with .
pieces Of artillery. and marched out to
oppose him. lie met Smith, with some
5000 veterans, at Rogersville, some four
miles beyond Richmond, Ky, last Satur-
day morning and after severe battle was
utterly defeated, losing many men, eight
Of his guns, and himself taken prisoner.
Our scattered and defeated forces fell back
on Richmond, where Gen. Nelson had just
arrived, and who at once took command
of and rallied them for second fight
The enemy soon came up in increased
force; the battle was short and bloody,
but ended in q second defeat. Gen. Mel
son himself being wounded, and the fight
was continued to Lexington.
BY Monday, it became evident that
Lexington could not be defended against
the overwhelming force of Kirby Smith,
and the place was evacuated, the enemy
soon after entering and taking possession.
Our troops fell back to Covington.
Since Monday, Smith appears to be
massing his troops at Lexington, until
they are said to amount to $4,000, while
both Louisville and Cincinnati have been
in the utmost excitement ever since, both
fearful Smith will direct his next march
upon them, and both making the most
active preparations for defence At both
cities all business is suspended, all the
males are busy working upon the forti6-
cations, and into both cities large bodies
of the new levics are being poured by the
Governors of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois.
Beyond blind despatch yesterday, how
ever. that the rebels 5000 strong, were at
Florence, IL miles south of Cincinnati,
and that the pickets, miles out of Co
vington, had been fired upon, there is no
evidence that Smith has moved in either
direction from Lexington. The guerilla
chief johnson, with his band of 600 ma
RAIDERS, however, is committing depreda-
tions all along the Ohio from Covington
to Henderson, and much of the alarm
about Cincinnati doubtless arises from his
operations.
From present appearances, We do not
think that Cincinnati or Louisville is in
much danger; but it will take quite =
while before the new troops now massing
at those cities will be in fit condition to
march against Lexington; and Smith has
the prospect of having a perfectly free
swing in Kentucky for month to come,
unless it should indeed prove true, as yes.
terday's dispatches intimate, that Gen.
Buell. has marched through Eastern Ten
nessee, and is advancing towards Lexing-
ton from the South. Buell's 10000 vete-
rams would make short work of Kirby
Smith. If Buell. is not there, where is he :
We see no confirmation of the report that
he had fought and whipped Bragg near
Chattanooga ten days ago, taking 1000
prisoners Wherever he is, we have no
doubt he is safe as TO Bragg, for We have
no earthly doubt but Bragg is in Virginia;
but what is he doing7 Telegraph commu.
nication with Corinth is cut of, which
may account for hearin nothing from
Buell.