Colonel Winchester's own head had been grazed, but he had bound a handkerchief about it, and sat very quiet in his saddle.
"My lads," he said, and his tone was sharp with the note of defiance.
"We have been surprised by a force greatly superior to our own, and scarcely a sixth of us are left.

But it was my fault.

I take the blame.
For the present, at least, we are safe from the enemy, and I intend to continue with our errand.

We were to scout the country all the way to Nashville.

It is also possible that we will meet the division of General Buell advancing to that city.