I again sent out a scouting party October 1 and we passed over the counties of Scott and Morgan and a part of Fentress County, Tennessee, capturing some prisoners and a little of the rebels' property. I sent out another scouting party about October 15, which returned on the 29th instant, and report that they passed over Scott, Morgan, and Fentress Counties, Tennessee, and had a skirmish with Ferguson's guerrillas, killing 4 of them, and among the number was the cruel murderer Captain Miliken. They also captured some property.

On October 31 I sent out another scouting party from Somerset, Ky, to traverse the country toward Monticello and Jamestown, Tenn.; thence from the line of Kentucky and Tennessee to Post Oak Springs, in Roane County, Tenn., with a view of breaking up several guerrilla companies that are roaming in the mountains between the line of Kentucky and Tennessee and the Tennessee River and sometimes in the counties of Clinton and Wayne, Kentucky. I have been subsisting my troops on corn bread and beef since the fight at Huntsville, Tenn., at a cost to the Government from about 10 to 15 cents for each soldier per day and about the same for about 50 horses for mounted infantry. I deem it highly indispensable to break up these guerrilla companies as speedily as possible, as there can be no safety to the peace of the country while they are permitted to exist.

About August 1 I had a correspondence with General Boyle, of Kentucky, in which he proposed to co-operate with me along the line of the States of Tennessee and Kentucky, and authorized me to mount a part of my men for that service. I find but little trouble in procuring horses, but find a great deal of trouble in getting saddles and bridles suitable for such a service. If the War Department will furnish me with cavalry saddles, bridles, &c., suitable for such service, I can place myself in a condition for active operations in a few days.

I hope for the future to be able to keep up a regular correspondence with you by way of Louisville, Ky.

Your obedient servant,

WM. CLIFT

Colonel, Commanding Seventh Regiment of Tennessee Vols.

The ADJUTANT-GENERAL U. S. ARMY

AUGUST 14, 1862.-Skirmish near Mount Pleasant, Tenn.

Report of Brigadier General James S. Negley, U. S. Army

COLUMBIA, August 14, 1862

Major Kennedy attacked Williams' guerrillas 8 miles south of Mount Pleasant this morning at 7 o'clock, killing 2 and taking several prisoners. The enemy fled to woods after the first fire. Our horses were too much exhausted to follow them.

JAS. S. NEGLEY.

Colonel J. B. FRY.