The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-08-12

Paris and Lexington, and report to me al
Winchester. This was done.
| Determining to move on Paris, with view oil
returning, and hearing that the place was being
rapidly reinforced from Cynthiana, I deemed il
of great importance to cut off the communication
from that place, while drew off the troops that
were already there by feint on Lexington.
therefore despatched portion of two companies
towards Lexington, with instructions to drive the
pickets to the very entrance of the city, while
moved the command towards Cynthlana. When
arrived within three miles of the place, learned
that it was defended by considerable force Of
infantry, cavalry and artillery. despatched the
Texas squadron, under Major Gano, to enter the
town on the right, and the Georgia Regiment to
cross the river and get into the rear, while I
moved my own Regiment with the artillery under
the command of Lieut.. j. E. Harris, down the
Georgetown Pike. A severe engagement took
place, which lasted about an hour and half before
the enemy were driven into the town and compelled
to surrender. | took four hundred and twenty
prisoners, including about seventy Home Guards.
| regret to have to mention the loss of eight Of
my men in killed and twenty nine wounded. The
enemy's loss was ninety-four killed and wounded,
according to their own account. Their excess in
killed and wounded is remarkable as they fought
us from behind stone fences, and fired at US from
buildings as we charged through the town. We
captured a very fine 12-pounder brass piece Of
artillery, together with a large number of small
arms, and about three hundred Government horses
The arms and Government stores were burned
and many of the horses as we could bring with
were kept. l found very large supply OF
commissary and medical stores, tents, guns and
ammunition at this place, which destroyed. The
paroled prisoners were sent under an escort to
Falmouth, where they took the train for Cincinnati
proceeded next morning towards Paris, and
met on the road by bearer of a flag OF truce,
Offering the unconditional surrender of the place.
[ reached Paris at o'clock, remained there that
night, and started towards Winchester next morn
ing. AS my command filing out of Paris on
the Winchester Pike, discovered large force
of Federas coming towards the town, from the
direction of Lexington, They Immediately coun-
termarched, supposing, no doubt, that my inten-
ton was to get into their rear. This enabled me
to bring off my entire command without molesta-
tion with the exception Of two of my pickets, who
were probably surprised. [ reached Winchester
that day at II o'clock, and remained until o.
clock when proceeded towards Richmond. At
Winchester found number Of arms, which were
destroyed.
arrived at Richmond at IL o'clock that night,
and remained until the next afternoon, when l
proceeded to Grab Orchard. had determined to
make stand at Richmond, and await reinforce
ments, as the whole people appeared ready to rise
and join me, but received information that large
bodies of cavalry, under Gen. Clay Smith and
others, were endeavoring to surround me at this
place. So moved on to Grab Orchard There
attached my portable battety to the telegraph
leading from Stanford to Louisville, and learned
the exact position Of the enemys forces, and d.
rected my movements accordingly
Leaving Crab Orchard at II o'clock, | arrived
at Somerset distant % miles, at shutdown. took
possession of the telegraph and countermanded all
the previous orders that had been given by Gen.
Boyle to intercept me- and remained in perfect
security all night. l found very large supply of
commssary stores, blankets, shoes, hats &c, at
this place, which were destroyed. also found the
arms that had been taken from Gen. Zolllcoffer,
together with large quantities of shell and am
munition, all of which we're destroyed [ also
burned at this place, and Crab Orchard, about
one hundred and thirty Government wagons.
From Somerset [ proceeded to Monticello, and
from thence to between Lexington and Sparta,
where my command is encamped.
left Knoxville on the 4th day Of this month
with about 900 men, and returned to Livingston
on the 28th instant with nearly 1900, having been
absent just a days, during which time [ travelled
over thousand miles, captured II towns, destroy
ed all the Government supplies and arms in them,
dispersed about 1900 Home Guards, and paroled
nearly 1900 regular troops [ lost in killed, woun
to Kentucky, about ninety.
take great pleasure in tcstifyng to the gallant
bravery and efficiency of my whole command.
JOHN H. MORGAN,
Acting Brig. Gen'l. c. S. A.