so important an attitude that I deem it essential that you should be placed in immediate possession of the views entertained by paries best informed on the subject for the information of the War Department.

The first impression, that it was merely a raid for the purpose of capturing provisions and beating up a few recruits and then retreating, has now given way to the conviction that it is a preconcerted movement made by previous concert with the secessionists in various districts of the State for the purpose of securing and maintaining within the State a formidable force under arms to threaten constantly the position of the Union forces and hoping to regain control of the entire State.

It becomes therefore in my judgment absolutely necessary that prompt measures be to adopted place in Kentucky the necessary force to expel the invaders are they succeed in drawing together sufficient forces to enable them to maintain their positions, to visit with punishment those who have openly aided and encouraged them, and to encourage the Union men in their struggle.

I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,

S. BURBANK,

Lieutenant-Colonel Thirteenth Infantry, Commanding.

Brigadier General LORENZO THOMAS, Adjutant-General.

Numbers 10.

Report of Major General E. Kirby Smith, C. S. Army, commanding Department of East Tennessee.

KNOXVILLE, TENN., July 24, 1862.

Colonel Morgan sends a dispatch, dated Georgetown, Ky., 16th instant, stating that he has taken eleven cities and towns with very heavy army stores and has a force sufficient to hold all the country outside of Lexington and Frankfort, which places are chiefly garrisoned by Home Guards. the bridges between Lexington and Cincinnati have been destroyed.

E. KIRBY SMITH,

Major-General, Commanding.

General S. COOPER.

Numbers 11.

Report of Colonel John. H. Morgan, Second Kentucky Cavalry (Confederate), commanding expedition.

BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS,

Tompkinswille, Ky., July 9, 1862.

SIR: I have the honor to report that I arrived with my command at the Cumberland River and passed the ford at about 2 p. m. yesterday, 8th instant. My forces consisted of Colonel Hunt's Georgia regiment cavalry, my own regiment, and a squadron of Texas Rangers; we were joined at the river by two companies under Captains Hamilton and McMillin. I received information that the enemy had passed the Cum