New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-09-12

peted bic engagements for NJ further retreat OF bis
command 10 Frankfort in obedience to orders from
Ma;or.Cep. Wright and about a. N. his five regi-
ments together with about 200 law cavalry, under
Gen. Jackson, took up the line of march. They
reached Frankfort without being pursued on We'd
neslay mornings but having received further orders
to fall back on Louisville they made but short
halt. and marched TO Shebysil the same day. On
Thursday morning n force Of Rebel cavalry, about
500 stronp that had entered Frankfort shortly after
its evacuation aud followed our troops came in sight
Gen. jackson Immediately attacked them, but they
aed before it came to collision. After this no iur-
Their signs Of the enemy were seen, and The whole
rereaing column reached the suburbs OF this city on
Friday evening unmolested.
simultaneously with this retreat tho troops sta
toned along the Lexington and Covingon Railroad
also fell back to the Ohio River. The brigade Of
new regiments stationed at Lebanon, tue terminus
of branch Of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad
under command Of Gen. Dumont, has likewise snce
retreated 10 the main line, and previously stated,
the whole central portion Of the State, with the ex-
ceptiou of the towns and cities on the Ohio River,
has been given MP 70 the Rebels. That this is the
wisest course Gen. Wright could adopt in view OF
the impos.ibili,y Of using the new evies under his
command effectively against the invading force, will
be acknowledged by every sensible man. II Is true,
there was no direct necessity for il, nc consider
able portion of Kirby Smiths force has until now
made any movement north or west Of Lexington.
But il is more than probable that had any OF our
troops continued within easy reach of him, they
would have been attacked and Jared no better than
at Richmond.
Yet most Of the leading men from the invaded
seetion of the State now congregated in this city,
take il very hard that their capital and homes have
been abandoned to the enemy without even chow
of resistance and are hardly enthusiastic in praise Of
Gen. Wright. During the latter's stay here in the
early part of last week, they remoDstrated with him
and protested against the announced intention TO
conine himself 10 the defensive and the occupation
of the Ohio river line at present. But he remained
nlexible to their grisvous disappointment.
In addition 10 the forces Of Col. McCook and
Gen. jackson, quite an army Of pew lcyies has
been concentrated in the vicinity OF this city during
the last eight days I know its strength, but, for
obvious reasons will only state, that did IT not con-
sist Of green soldiers it alone would be more than
strong enough to dispose Of Kirby Smith and clear
the State OF all INVADER.
Since the retreat Of our troops, communication
with the interior Of the State IT, Of course very pre-
carious. Enough is known, however, 10 safety The
military authorities that Kirby Smith has not made,
and will not Immediately make, an offensive move
ment either agains, Cincinnati OF Louisville. Had
he contemplated the capture Of either cit, he
would not have loefed week at Lexington, as he
must have known that the most energetic eno Is
would he made for their protection, aud that they
are no longer tue ZANE easy prey as they would
have been eight days aye. TIE only demous'ra-
tons made so lar 10y the Rebel Genera, are maraad-
ing excureions Of Lie cavalry. The fact that they
destr we'd several briiges and wa,cT.'anks, and tore
mp the track a. various points along both TIE Franz
fort and LouisyiIle and Lexington and Cov,Dgou
Railroads., must logically be taken an indication
rather OF fear Of attack than of intention Of attack
An invading army destroys the lines OF con.inu
ncatlon leading towards the enemy.
In spite Of all the exiravsgant estimates Of Tie
strength Of the invaders, that have obtained currency
during the last week. II IL well known here that
Kirby Smith had hardly 1860 men when lie en-
tered Lexington. PgItI,s that arrived here three
days after the Rebels occupied the town, even
state that he has not 10000. He certainly bad
only two batteries that lie brought from iennerses.
His infantry is poorly clad, one-thr oitho shoes,
and was indiherently armed up TO the battle OF Rich
mond. The riiled msskeis captured from our uoops,
however, have since greatly improved their arna'
ment. Those tina, escaped from Lexington assert
that the Confederses the "hnngFiest devils they
ever saw." But G they can now luluria,e upon
the Fat OF the Blue Grass region, their voracty has
probably already grown less.
John Morgnns brigade of marduders has certainly
Joined KIRBY Smith within lie last few days. Other
bands are known 10 be on the way TO him. Recruit
ing among Secession sympa,bizer for the Rebel
ranks also reported TO be very lively in Harrison,
Bourbon, Fayette, and Woodford Counties. Never
theless il not believed ia the bee, informed circles
here that Smith has now even more than 10000 men
at bis dspcssl. Whether any considerable bodies
are trying to Join him through Eastern Kentucky
under Humphrey Marshsl and Cerro Gordo Will
Hams is not positively known here, only rumon TO
that effect reaching
PROM CINCINNATI,