102 HOESE PORTRAITURE. 



with a large force under his command, conscripting all 

 who came in his way. A gentleman from Ohio accom- 

 panied us on our way to Equiria, intending to take the 

 cars at Spring Station ; but they had passed laden with 

 soldiers and artillery. 



This looked as if the Federals were evacuating Lex- 

 ington, and increased the excitement. Mr. Alexander 

 kindly offered to send us in his carriage to Georgetown, 

 where we could get a conveyance to Cincinnati ; but I 

 had fallen so completely in love with the colt, that I was 

 determined to take him home, if I had to lead him 

 through the woods to the Ohio river. At my urgent re- 

 quest, Mr. Alexander delayed sending us off till a boy 

 could go to Midway and get a reliable report from the 

 telegraphic operator at that place. He came back in a 

 very short time with the news, that the Confederates were 

 no nearer than Danville, some thirty miles distant. This 

 relieved the party of their fears for their immediate safety, 

 and led them to stay over night. 



Mr. Alexander agreed to send some of his men with the 

 horses purchased to Cincinnati, and in order that they 

 might have an early start, the colts were brought up before 

 daylight in the " morning and shod. This was necessary, 

 as the hard rock roads would have worn their feet to the 

 quick, if they had not been protected. They got to the 

 Queen City, looking jaded, but no other bad effects from 

 the journey were visible. I accompanied them myself 

 from Cincinnati to Chicago, taking the Air Line Road, 

 and I cannot pass further without remarking that the 

 roads between these two cities are cursed with the most 

 disobliging set of officials I ever had to endure in all my 

 travels. The journey that ought to have been made in 

 tnirty-six hours, at furthest, occupied five days. I was 

 well prepared with hay, feed, blankets, &c. ; and having 

 the whole car for three colts two two-year-olds and a 



