AUGUST 16-22, 1862.-Operations about Cumberland Gap, Tenn., including action at London, Ky., and skirmishes at Flat Lick, Ky., and Pine Mountain, Tenn. (17th).

Reports of Brigadier General George W. Morgan, U. S. Army, commanding Seventh Division, Army of the Ohio.*

CUMBERLAND GAP, TENN., August 19,

Via Lexington, Ky., August 22, 1862.

GENERAL: On the night of the 16th the enemy, said to be 20,000 strong, arrived in our front and drove in our pickets. The morning following there was a brisk skirmish, in which there were trifling losses on either side. During the morning the enemy commenced to emerge from Patterson's woods, and with his artillery opened upon our cavalry. We returned the fire from the pinnacle forts on the right and left and compelled the enemy to withdraw his guns. We also drove him from the adjacent woods. He now envelops our entire front.

On the 16th instant 6,000 infantry and cavalry, with one battery of mountain howitzers, passed through Rogers' Gap. Deserters say that that column is 15,000 strong, but an intelligent scout estimates it at only 6,000. It cannot be the strength of the column which passed Big Creek Gap, for it is said to be 20,000 strong. I had stationed five companies of infantry at Cumberland Ford, five at Barboursville, and a similar force at London and Richmond. I requested General Boyle to re-enforce Richmond and London, and on the 11th instant he informed me that he would do so, but as Boyle's troops were elsewhere ordered London was not re-enforced, and I ordered Colonel Houk to concentrate his regiment and fall back upon Cumberland Gap. It is rumored that Houk was attacked on the 16th instant and his command captured.

On the morning of the 16th I sent Captain Martin via Cumberland Ford to observe Big Creek and Rogers' Gap. On the 17th instant he was attacked by Ashby's cavalry, 600 strong, and 60 of his men are missing.

I have called in my force from Barboursville and Cumberland Ford and they have safely arrived with 150 wagons of forage and subsistence. Two men who left Knoxville three days ago report that 30,000 men are en route from that place to attack and surround us. My troops are in good condition and spirits and the position shall not be yielded while we have a pound of meat and an ounce of powder; but I trust that the road to Lexington may soon be cleared by a column from Lexington.

A letter received from Kingston states that John Morgan, with 6,000 cavalry and artillery, will be in Nashville in less than twenty days, and confirms the reports of our scouts that the rebel forces in East Tennessee are from 80,000 to 100,000 strong. Kirby Smith commands the column invading Kentucky, and Bragg is at Loudon, 30 miles southwest of Knoxville.

This telegram is sent to Generals Halleck and Buell by courier to Lexington.

GEORGE W. MORGAN.

Brigadier-General

Brigadier-General CULLUM, Chief of Staff.

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* See also reports of J. S. Scott, pp. 937,938; G. W. Morgan, p.992

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