We received a visit yesterday, from
Mr. N. A. Humber, of
Lincoln county, Kentucky, who made his escape from that locality, a few day ago, to Camp Maginnia,
in Fentress county, Tennessee, from which place he proceeded to Camp Myers, in
Overton county, from whence he comes to
Richmond with dispatches from
Col. Stanten, the commandant at that post.
Lincoln county is in the very heart of the
Union country in
Kentucky, and the
Union men there are both energetic and unscrupulous in their endeavors to hold the
State in despotic subjection.
State-rights men who dare to avow their doctrines, even in the most modest manner, suffer for their temerity by insult, robbery, assault, and frequently death.
The most extensive preparations are going on to resist the advance of the
Southern troops.
The Home Guards are mustering and recruiting every day. Members of
Mr. Humber's family were forced to sign papers of allegiance — his father and brother — but he succeeded in escaping before the clutches of the Lincolnites could reach him. With eight companions, all mounted, he made his way through the infected country, narrowly escaping capture, and at length, unfortunately, into a wild, mountain region, where they lost their way, were pursued by a company of cavalry, scattered, and it is supposed some were killed.
Mr. Humber found himself in the midst of a fearful wilderness, obstructed by fens and forests, and rendered dangerous by precipices which are only to be found in the mountains of that region.
He at last came out safely and entered
Col. Stanton's camp.
On the day before his arrival, a young Kentuckian named Soldfy, while making his way to the same camp, was killed and plundered, even to his shirt studs and pocket-knife.
Numerous other instances might be mentioned.
Mr. Humber states that just before he left home,
Col. Menafee, (who, it will be remembered, distinguished himself at
Manassa,) had, with 450 men, succeeded in getting down to
Big Sandy river from
Lexington, eseaping a threatened attack at the latter point, and placing himself in a position to join the Confederate forces at other points with facility.--The State Guard, under
Capt. John Morgan with several other companies, numbering in all aobut 500 men, had not only spirited themselves away from
Lexington, as reported heretofore, but a large quantity of arms and ammunition, and were stationed at Camp Houson, on
Green river.
