[Inclosure.]

LARKINSVILLE, August 22, 1863.

Major W. H. SINCLAIR,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

The party sent out to find General Johnson returned on the 20th, reporting General Johnson on road 10 miles north of this place. This was telegraphed you on that date. Colonel McCook is absent on reconnaissance to the river.

JNumbers PRATT,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

LARKINSVILLE, August 22, 1863.

Captain R. S. THOMS:

No rebel force has crossed the Tennessee near my flank. I know nothing of the force spoken of as between Charlotte and Yellow Creek, but all of the crossings west of Whitesborough at mouth of Limestone, Decatur, &c., are uncovered.

EDWARD M. McCOOK,

Colonel, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS,
Stevenson, August 22, 1863-6.30 p. m.

Colonel McCOOK,

Commanding:

O. K. The general commanding says he did not think there could be such a force in that direction.

R. S. THOMS.

MOUNT VERNON, KY., August 22, 1863.

(Received 6.05 p. m.)

Col E. D. TOWNSEND,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

Your dispatch of yesterday received, and I will observe strictly General Orders, Numbers 286. I received a telegram from General Halleck giving me authority to release the men at my discretion, and I supposed I was doing right in exercising it. It is more than likely that I made a mistake, but they will be avoided in my case by your telegram. All my columns are well in advance, and I shall be out of telegraphic communication tomorrow.

A. E. BURNSIDE,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,
Stevenson, Ala., August 22, 1863.

Major-General BURNSIDE,

Crab Orchard, Ky.:

Yours of 21 st received. Thank you. Look on map for my position. Brigade of infantry at Alexandria, one at McMinnville, two infantry brigades and one of cavalry at Pikeville. Two divisions at