e captured a stockade, and burned the
bridge at Boston. Reaching Bardstown in safety, he pushed rapidly on to
Springfield. From that place he could threaten either Danville or Lebanon.
His rapid movements puzzled the Federals, and prevented them from
concentrating their forces, for they knew not which way he would go next.

From Springfield Morgan turned south, leaving Lebanon a few miles to his
left, so as to avoid the large force at that place; he reached New Market
a few hours in advance of his pursuers. To avoid the troops which had been
concentrating at Hodgensville, he now took the road to Campbellsville.

In going through the Muldraugh range of hills to the south of New Market,
his rear guard was struck by the advance of the Federals under Colonel
Hoskins, and was only beaten back after a lively fight. There was now more
or less skirmishing for some miles.

There now happened to Calhoun one of the most thrilling adventures he
experienced during the whole war. As the post of danger was now in the
rear, he was there with his scouts doing valiant service in holding back
the Federals. There had been no skirmishing for some time, and nothing had
been seen or heard of their pursuers. Not thinking of danger, he and a
Captain Tribble halted their horses by the side of a bubbling spring and
dismounted to get a drink, the rest of the guard passing on. They lingered
longer than they thought, and had just remounted their horses when they
were suddenly surprised by three horsemen, who came galloping up, yelling
to them to surrender. For Calhoun and Tribble to snatch their revolvers
and fire was the work of a moment. The Federals returned the fire. A
pistol duel now took place, and both sides emptied their revolvers, but
strange to say, no one was hurt.

Throwing down their now useless weapons, all drew their swords and
furiously spurred their horses on to the combat. It was almost like a
mediaeval contest, where knight met knight with sword only. While one of
the Federals engaged Captain Tribble, two rode straight for Calhoun, the
foremost a fine-looking man in the uniform of a Federal colonel. Parrying
his blow, Calhoun, by a skilful turn of his horse, avoided the other. They
wheeled their horses, and came at Calhoun again. Again did Calhoun parry
the fierce blow aimed at him; at the same time he managed to prick the
horse of the other, so that for a moment it became unmanageable. This left
Calhoun free to engage the Colon