Then he turned to Colonel Thomas E. Bramlette, and said: "Colonel, take a squadron of cavalry, proceed to Lexington, and when that train comes, take charge of it and guard it to Nicholasville. I will have wagons there to transport the arms here."
Colonel Bramlette saluted, and replied: "General, I will return with those arms or not at all."
The general smiled; he understood.
"May I accompany the colonel?" asked Fred.
"Certainly, if you wish," answered Nelson. "You have stayed by the arms so far, and it is no more than right that you should be in at the finish."
The enemy was alert, and the news reached Lexington that the train loaded with the arms and ammunition for the soldiers at Dick Robinson was coming.
Instantly the little city was aflame with excitement. The State Guards under the command of John H. Morgan gathered at their armory with the avowed intention of seizing the train by force. John C. Breckinridge made a speech to the excited citizens, saying the train must be stopped, if blood flowed.
In the midst of this excitement Colonel Bramlette with his cavalry arrived. This added fuel to the already intense excitement.
"Drive the Lincoln hirelings from the city!" shouted Breckinridge, and the excited crowd took up the cry.
A demand was at once drawn up, signed by Breckinridge, Morgan and many others, and sent to Colonel Bramlette, requesting him to at once withdraw from the city, or blood would be shed.