Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1863-02-26

he u UuCe tooh Piou'P' =,
tho exigence of the situation. He could
throw Lenck's and Clay's brigades upon
the rebel front; the brigade at Nicholas
Vile could take them in flank by cross
ing the Kentucky river at Tai's ford;
while, by uniting Clay Smiths COM
mand with that of Jacob. then en- route
for Nicholasville, he could plant seven
teen hundred cavalry in theit rear be-
tween Big Hill and Mount Vernon,
Tho enemy at this time were at least
twenty miles in advance of their support
and a nights march would have readily
placed the several forces mentioned in
position to attack them by daylight.
This was Wallace's plaiu- simple, feasi-
BILE, and soljiers-like. All his order
we're given. A supply train with extra
ammunition and abundant ratious, was
in line on the road to Richmond. Clays
brigade was drawn up ready to move.
and General Wallace's horse was saddled
He was writing last order in reference
to the city of Lexington in his absence,
and directing the officer left in charge
to forward regiments to him at Rich
mond as fast as they should arrive. when
General Nelson came and instantly
took the command. Fifteen minutes
more and General Wallace would have
been on the road to Rchmond to super
intend the execution of his plan OF at
tack The supposition was, of course,
q bitter disappointment; yet he never
arumbIed or demurrpd in the least. but
like a true soldier who knows his duty.
offered that evening to serve his success
or in any capacity generosity which
Gen Nelson declined The well-conciv-
ed plan which Wallace had matured
failed for the simple reason, that, in.
stead of marchingto execute it that
night, as common sense would seem to
have dictated, Nelson did not leave
Lexington until the next day q one
o'clock; and at daylight when the attack
was to have been made, the rebel lead
cr, Scott, discovered his danger and
wisely retreated, finding nobody in his
rear The result was, Nelsoo went to
Richmond and was defeated l. is pos
sible that the same result might have
followed Wallace, but by those compe-
tent to Judge it is thought otherwise.
lie had plan adapted to the troops
he was leading, who, although. very raw
would have been invincible behind breast
work, as American troops have always
shown themselves to be. Wallace new
er intended urraying these inexperienced
men in the open field against the vete.
ran troops of the rebels. Neither did
no Intend they should dig. He had col
lected large quantities Of intrenchine
tools, and was rapidly assembling o
corps of negroes, nearly fve-hundred
of whom he hal already in waiting in
Morgan'c factory. all prepared to follow
mis- column armed with spades and picks,
Iu Madison county he intended getting
at least Eve hundred more. L will
march, he said, like Caesar In Gaul
and intrench my camp every night. II
| am attacked at any time in too great
numbers, can drop back to my nearest
works, and ait for endorsements. =
Such was his plan. and those who know
him believe firmly that be could have
cen at Cumberland Gap in time not on
ly to succor our little army there, but
to have prevented the destruction aud
evacuation of that very important post.
Wallace. finding himself thus sudden
ly superseded, his plans ignored. and
his voluntary services bluf1y refused,
left Lexington for Cincinnati. While
there the battle Of Richmond was fought
the disastrous results of which are still
too fresh in the public mind to require
repeating. Nelson, who did not arrive
upon the field until the day was about
st, and only in time to use his sword
against his own men in a fruitless en-
deavor to rally them. received flesh
wound. and fastened back the zane
night to Cincinnati, leaving many dead
and wounded on the field, rs thousands
of our brave boys prisoners to be paroll-
ed by the rebels These are simple
matters IF record. aud are not here set
down in any spirit Of prejudice, or to
throw a shadow upou the emory of the
misguided, unfortunate, but courageous
Nelson.
At this jucture General Wallace was
again ordered to Lexington. this time
by General Wright General whose
geDtlemauly bearing in all capacities
max him an orament to the American
army. Wallace was ordered thither to
resume command of the forces; but on
arriving at Paris, the order was coun-
ternanded, and he was sent back to
take charge of the city of Cincinnati
Shrewdly suspccting that our forces
would evacuate Lexington. he fastened
to his post. General Wight was at
that time in Louisville. On his way
back. Wallace was asked by one of his
aids:
"Do you believe the enemy will como
to Cincinnati!
Yes. was the reply. Kirby Smith
will first 60 to Frankfort He must
have that place. if possible, for the po-
litical effect it " II have. If he gets it.
he will surely come to Cincinnati. lie
81 an idiot. if he does not. Hero is the
material of wsr-goods. groceries. salt.
supplies, machinery. etc = enough to re-
stock the whole bogus Confederacy.
VVhot ora ro, u,,,on 70 ID 2 Vou