“This being our position and intention exactly, it was thought proper to throw General Ward on some other track. So, in the course of half an hour, I manufactured and sent the following dispatch, which was approved by General Morgan:
“‘Midway, July 15th, 1862.
“‘Morgan, with upward of one thousand men, came within a mile of here, and took the old Franklin road, marching, we suppose, for Frankfort. This is reliable.
“‘Woolums—Operator.’
“In about ten minutes Lexington again called Frankfort, when I received the following:
“‘Lexington, July 15th, 1862.
“‘To General Finnell, Frankfort:
“‘Morgan, with more than one thousand men, came within a mile of here, and took the old Frankfort road. This dispatch received from Midway, and is reliable. The regiment from Frankfort had better be recalled.
“‘Brigadier-General Ward.’
“I receipted for this message, and again manufactured a message to confirm the information General Ward received from Midway, and not knowing the tariff from Frankfort to Lexington, I could not send a formal message; so, appearing greatly agitated, I waited until the circuit was occupied, and broke in, telling them to wait a minute, and commenced calling Lexington. He answered with as much gusto as I called him. I telegraphed as follows: