t the Federals off; but Marshall
never appeared, and it was left to the brigade of John H. Morgan to do
what they could to oppose the retreat. One cavalry brigade could not stop
the progress of ten thousand well-disciplined troops. Day after day Morgan
hung on the Federal flanks and rear, taking advantage of every opening,
and making their way a weary one. After a toilsome march of sixteen days,
the Federal force, footsore and completely exhausted, reached the Ohio at
Greenupsburg on the Ohio River, and was safe.

During these sixteen days, Calhoun was almost continually in the saddle,
the foremost to strike, the last to retreat. When the pursuit was ended,
his little band of scouts had seventy-five prisoners to their credit.

When Morgan saw that it was useless to follow the retreating army any
longer, without taking any rest he turned the head of his column toward
Central Kentucky, for he knew he would be needed there.

Calhoun could hardly believe his eyes when he saw the change a few weeks
had effected. All Central Kentucky had been swept clear of the Federals.
Panic-stricken they had fled back to Louisville and Cincinnati, and were
cowering in their trenches. Indiana and Ohio were in an agony of fear. The
governors were frantically calling on the people to arise _en masse_ and
save their states from invasion.

When the command reached Danville, Calhoun was nearly beside himself with
joy. Over the courthouse floated the Stars and Bars of the South. It was
the first time Calhoun had ever seen there the flag he loved so well. With
a proud hurrah he dashed up to the door of his father's residence; there
was no one to molest him or make him afraid. From the house of every
friend of the South hung a Confederate flag.

"Redeemed! Kentucky redeemed at last!" shouted Calhoun, as he dismounted.

But he was disappointed in not finding his father at home. The Judge was
in Frankfort, helping to form a provisional government for the state. Many
of the more sanguine of the Southern element of the state already
considered it safe in the Confederacy.

Although his father was not at home, Calhoun received a most joyful
welcome. "Bress de chile, if he isn't bac' again," cried Aunt Chloe.

"Yes, Chloe," said Calhoun, as he shook her honest black hand, "and now be
sure and get up one of your best dinners, I can eat it in peace this time.
And, Chloe, cook enough for a dozen; Colonel Morgan, with his staff, will
be here to dine."