People told with mingled amusement and apprehension of Morgan's
telegrapher, Ellsworth, who cut the wires, attached his own instrument,
and replied to the Union messages and sent answers as his general
pleased. It was said that Bragg was already approaching Munfordville
where there was a Northern fort and garrison. And it was said that Buell
on another line was endeavoring to march past Bragg and get between him
and Louisville.
But Dick found that the western states across the Ohio were responding
as usual. Hardy volunteers from the prairies and plains were pouring
into Louisville. While Dick waited there the news came that Bragg
had captured the entire Northern garrison of four thousand men at
Munfordville, the crossing of Green River, and was continuing his steady
advance.
But there was yet hope that the rapid march of Buell and the gathering
force at Louisville would cause Bragg to turn aside.
At last the welcome news came. Bragg had suddenly turned to the east,
and then Buell arrived in Louisville. With his own force, the army
already gathered there and a division sent by Grant from his station at
Corinth, in Mississippi, he was at the head of a hundred thousand men,
and Bragg could not muster more than half as many.
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