enthusiastic reception. Nothing was too good for Morgan's men.

While at Harrodsburg Calhoun greatly wished that Morgan would make a
detour and visit Danville, but this Morgan refused to do, as it would take
him too far out of his route and give the Federals time to concentrate
against him. Thus Calhoun was prevented from entering his native town in
triumph.

Morgan had caused the report to be circulated far and near that he had a
force of five thousand and that his object was the capture of Frankfort.
From Harrodsburg he moved to Midway on the line of the Louisville and
Lexington Railroad. The place was about equidistant from Frankfort and
Lexington, and from it either place could be equally threatened.

Here he once more took possession of the telegraph office, and Ellsworth
was once more busy in sending telegrams. In the names of the different
Federal officers Morgan telegraphed right and left, ordering the Federal
troops here and there, everywhere but to the right place, and causing the
utmost confusion. The poor Federals were at their wits' end; they knew not
what to do, or which way to turn. The whole state was in terror. The name
of Morgan was on every tongue; his force was magnified fivefold. General
Boyle, in command of the Department of Kentucky, was deluged with
telegrams imploring assistance. He in turn deluged General Halleck,
General Buell, and even President Lincoln. "Send me troops, or Kentucky is
lost. John Morgan will have it," he said.

Lincoln telegraphed to Halleck at Corinth: "They are having a stampede in
Kentucky. Please look to it."

Buell telegraphed: "I can do nothing. Have no men I can send." Thus
Kentucky was left to her fears. Never did a thousand men create a greater
panic.

From Midway Colonel Morgan made a strong demonstration toward Frankfort,
strengthening the belief that he was to attack that place, but his real
object was the capture of Lexington.

Calhoun, with his men, scouted clear up to the outskirts of the place,
driving in the Federal outposts; but he learned that the city was
garrisoned by at least five times the number of Morgan's men. This fact he
reported to his chief, who saw that it would be madness to attempt to
capture it. Morgan therefore resolved to swing clear around Lexington,
thoroughly breaking the railroad which led from that place to Cincinnati,
so he gave orders to start for Paris. But he was unexpectedly delayed for
a day at Midway by an unfortunate inc