nd reconnoiter. When near the river, and in a deep ravine,
they were suddenly fired upon by a number of Secesh Cavalry, and ordered
to halt. But, instead of obeying this command, they put spurs to their
horses, and made "tracks" as fast as possible, the Rebels firing several
volleys after them. In their flight, Colonel Connel's horse stumbled and
fell, throwing the Colonel off, by which means he lost his cap and sword,
and was badly bruised. Captain Rickards immediately came to his
assistance, and gave him his horse, the Captain making his way out on
foot. All got safely back to their men.

It was now evident that a large body of the enemy had already crossed, and
there being no chance of obtaining a desirable position, and not having
sufficient force to contend with them, they determined to fall back to
Fishing Creek, and await further orders. A retreat was ordered, and our
men retired in good order, and at daylight next morning were safely
arrived at Fishing Creek. In the meantime, the balance of the Battery were
on the way to their assistance, and on the night previous were camped only
two miles from the creek, where we soon found them.

We remained here through the day, and early in the evening were ordered to
have all the horses harnessed, and everything ready in case of an
emergency; information having been received that the enemy were advancing.
One section of the Battery, under Lieutenant Baldwin, was posted on the
spur of a hill, commanding the crossing of the creek. A part of the
Seventeenth Ohio were also stationed with them, and all were prepared for
an attack.

About ten o'clock, our pickets were driven in by the enemy's advance. They
reported the Rebels in large force; and it being deemed folly to contend
against such odds, General Schoepf, who was then in command, thought it
advisable to fall back on Somerset, and there await reinforcements. We
were soon retiring in good order, and before daylight arrived at Somerset.
The Thirty-eighth Ohio, and Twelfth Kentucky, coming in about the same
time. Shortly after daylight we moved about two miles North of the town,
and encamped. This was on Thursday, December 5th.

CHAPTER IV.

THE BATTLE OF MILL SPRINGS.

We remained quietly at Somerset until December 8th. In the meantime, were
reinforced by the arrival of the Thirty-first and Thirty-fifth Ohio
Infantry, and also Hewitt's Kentucky Battery. In addition to the above,
was a small detachment of Woolf