...Hovey came to me and asked whether I would join a command of four hundred men and cut our way through to Lexington. My men unanimously volunteered, but just as we were starting a despatch came from Gen. Hunter , ordering Col. Hovey, with his whole command, to march to Tipton. I was thus left alone, having but one hundred and sixty cavalry with me. But my men were determined to go through, and at this mome...