Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 11.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[593] the rebels several miles, when he found that the rebels were in ambush in superior force, and were attempting to draw him into the snug trap set for him. He then fell back to the Gap, to avoid being cut off by the flanking movements of the rebels, and from the Gap fell back to Beaver; and John Morgan followed to the Gap, and, as soon as Brown left it, passed through it, taking the direct road to Mt. Sterling.

Colonel Brown was immediately ordered in pursuit, and followed close behind Morgan, picking up stragglers. Morgan's force consisted of about two thousand cavalry and seven hundred infantry, without any artillery. His infantry and one brigade of cavalry, halted at Mt. Sterling, while the other brigade of cavalry, under Howard Smith, passed on toward Lexington, stealing horses and robbing citizens. At Mt. Sterling, they robbed the bank of about sixty thousand dollars, gutted the stores and stole all the horses in the region roundabout. General Burbridge attacked them on Thursday morning. He captured their rear picket, about twenty-five strong, at Ticktown, and moved up on the main body, completely surprising them. The inside pickets were shot down, all of them (about thirty) being killed; and Colonel Brown, who was in the advance, pushed right through the camp of the infantry, shooting them before they had finished their morning nap, and attacked the brigade under Griffith. Hanson's brigade coming up, joined in the attack, and the little battle became fierce and bloody. Hanson pushed his artillery too far forward, and the rebels charged and captured it. But before they could move it off, a squadron of the Twelfth Ohio cavalry charged the rebels and recaptured the pieces. The rebels, though fighting very bravely, could not stand the close pressing and murderous fire of our men, and soon broke and fled. Of the seven hundred infantry, scarcely fifty escaped. Over two hundred were killed, about two hundred and fifty were wounded, and about the same number captured in this little battle. Morgan was not in command. He was at Winchester, threatening Lexington. Hearing of the route of his men at Mt. Sterling, he moved on Lexington Thursday night, and commenced skirmishing with the small force under Colonel Cooper, of the Fourth Kentucky cavalry. General Burbridge's force was so exhausted by their previous hard service and hard fighting, that he was compelled to halt in Mt. Sterling until Friday morning. This gave Morgan time to attack Lexington. It was defended by about three hundred green troops. Morgan, about twelve o'clock Thursday night, made the attack. He fired several buildings on the edge of the town, and commenced his attack by the light they afforded. Colonels Cooper and Shackleford, with about one hundred men, kept his force, about seventeen hundred strong, at bay for near two hours, and then fell back to Fort Clay. The rebels entered with a yell, and rushed to Main street and commenced their work of pillage. Hats, boots and shoes, clothing, saddles and bridles, jewelry and hardware stores, were soon burst open and their contents stolen. The Branch Bank of Kentucky was robbed of ten thousand dollars, part in gold and silver, and part in greenbacks. The Northern Bank keys were demanded, but through the luck and coolness of Mr. Cristie, one of the officials, they were kept out of their possession. Just as soon as it was light a single piece of artillery was stationed at the west end of Main street, and the second shot from it cleared the business portion of the town. Fort Clay shelled them vigorously wherever they made their appearance, and saved from destruction about sixty cars belonging to the Covington and Lexington railroad. By nine A. M. the rebels were all gone toward Georgetown. About one hundred and fifty shells were fired at them, but we have yet to learn of the first rebel being hit. The fight at Lexington was a bloodless one, no man on either side being killed. Several citizens were wounded — some by the rebels, some by our men — but none very dangerously. The heaviest losers by the robbers were J. G. Haws, $2,000; H. & J. P. Shaw, $1,200; Bassett & Emmal, $1,200; Loenhart, $1,800; Kastle, J. S. Edge and William Rule, all shoe stores, who lost stock ranging from $250 to $500 each. Harting's jewelry story was also robbed. Most of the money taken from the Branch Bank was special deposits, Mr. Prunket being the heaviest loser. Citizens were robbed of their pocket-books and watches, and horses suffered terribly; over one hundred were taken from F. T. Hord's stable. John M. Clay and William McCracken lost their fine trotting and racing stock. But it is useless to attempt to name all those who have lost horses; their name is legion. Everywhere they went they stole horses, from friend and foe. On reaching Georgetown, Morgan and Howard Smith demanded the keys of the bank, but were told that the money was run off. After leaving Lexington, it was evidently Morgan's intention to attack Frankfort, and move out through the south-eastern part of the State, and he had moved his command through Georgetown in that direction. But he learned that General Burbridge was at Versailles (which was false), with two thousand men, and he immediately faced about, and, passing through Georgetown, again moved on Cynthiana. General Burbridge, with his command, reached Lexington about noon, Friday, and, hastily remounting a portion of his forces, started in pursuit. He came upon Morgan Sunday morning, at Cynthiana, drawn up in line of battle and awaiting him. Burbridge immediately attacked him, and in fifty-five minutes had Morgan's command routed and flying in every direction. Morgan's loss here was about five hundred. His force was divided into half a dozen parts, each part taking care of itself. The main force fled toward Augusta, under Morgan himself, which