ɪn ˈɔːɡəst, smˈɪθ ɐdvˈænst ˌɪntʊ kɛntˈʌki, lˈiːvɪŋ mˈædʒ. dʒˈɛn. kˈɑːɹɾɚɹ ˈɛl. stˈiːvɛnsən wɪð ɐ stɹˈɔŋ dᵻvˈɪʒən tʊ ˈɑːpɚɹˌeɪt ɐɡˈɛnst ðə jˈuːniən dʒˈɛnɚɹəl mˈɔːɹɡən, hˌuː wʌz hˈoʊldɪŋ ðə ɡˈæp wɪð ɐbˌaʊt nˈaɪn,zˈiəɹoʊzˈiəɹoʊ zˈiəɹoʊ mˈɛn.
In August, Smith advanced into Kentucky, leaving Maj. Gen. Carter L. Stevenson with a strong division to operate against the Union general Morgan, who was holding the gap with about 9,000 men.