raised on all sides. There are good reasons for supposing that the attack was planned solely for General McCook's capture or murder.

Infuriated by this cowardly assassination, many of the soldiers of the brigade spread themselves over the country before any measures could be taken to check them, and burned all the property of rebels in the vicinity and shot a rebel lieutenant who was on furlough and supposed to be connected with the gang.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

FERDINAND VAN DERVEER,

Colonel Thirty-fifth Ohio Volunteers, Commanding Third Brigade.

Major GEORGE E. FLYNT, Assistant Adjutant-General.

AUGUST 7, 1862.-Attack on convalescent train near Decatur, Ala.

REPORTS.

Numbers 1.-Lieutenant Colonel Luther P. Bradley, Fifty-first Illinois Infantry.

Numbers 2.-General Braxton Bragg, C. S. Army.

Numbers 3.-Major General Sterling Price, C. S. Army.

Numbers 1.

Report of Lieutenant Colonel Luther P. Bradley, Fifty-first Illinois Infantry.

HEADQUARTERS FIFTY-FIRST ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS, Decatur, Ala., August 7, 1862.

Wires cut, so I cannot telegraph you. The convalescent train from Tuscumbia was attacked this a. m., about 5.30, near Moseley's plantation, about 2 1/2 miles from here. There were over 200 men in the column, and of these one-half are missing. One hundred came in, and we have 2 killed and 2 wounded.

The attack was made by some 250 rebel cavalry. They came from their camp, some 9 miles south of here, last night, and crossed over to the Courtland road before morning. Their designs were to attack and cut off our patrol, and if they had not fallen in with the convalescents would have done it without doubt. Major Koehler turned out promptly as soon as we heard of it and took the road after them. He followed them to Silses' plantation, near Minty, across the railroad and nearly to the foot of the mountains, but could not overtake them. I do not think they have taken a large number of prisoners. Most of the missing men are probably scattered through the woods and will come in to-day or to-morrow. You will see from this that the rebels are showing some little enterprise. It is already unsafe to send foraging parties over 2 or 3 miles out, and when Colonel Starkweather leaves (he is already under marching orders) you may expect to see a part of your command in trouble. Unless we are re-enforced we cannot protect this part of the line. They can run us into our defenses any day and keep us there if they choose.

Captain Rose sent our a corporal and 4 men yesterday to repair telegraph. Returning they were fired upon by a band of 50 rebels. One man mortally wounded, 1 slightly, and 1 missing.

L. P. BRADLEY,
Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding.

Colonel HARRINGTON, Commanding First Brigadier, First Div.