elson, and remainder probably went last night. Enemy had no artillery or wagons or respectable arms; came from Hopkinsville and State Line.

Public goods were sold at auction; private respected. The wires were cut both ways prior to attack.

Respectfully,

W. H. SIDELL,

Major, Fifteenth U. S. Infantry, Actg, Asst. Adjt. General

Major General D. C. BUELL.

AUGUST 19-20, 1862.-Scout from Woodville to Guntersville, Ala., and vicinity.

Report of Major James W. Paramore, Third Ohio Cavalry.

CAMP THIRD OHIO CAVALRY,

Woodville, Ala., August 21, 1862.

SIR: I have the honor to report the safe arrival on last evening of squadron A and D, sent out on the 19th instant, under my command, on a scout to Guntersville and vicinity. I proceeded via Vienna and around the bend of the river, and returned by Law's Landing, camping at Henryville. On the first [days] of the scout I captured as prisoners Captain J. B. Turney, Company K, First Tennessee, and Private John T. Wilson, same company and regiment, with a large number of letters, which they were attempting to smuggle through our lines into Tennessee; took as prisoners, with their horses, Thomas B. Yates and A. C. Shaffner, with Southern papers, letters, and about $960 in Confederate bonds and money, which they were also smuggling through our lines from rebel officers and soldiers. I think they are also connected with the rebel army as soldiers or spies.

On Wednesday, the second day of the scout, I seized 12 good working mules from the estate of Alexander Erskine, and receipted for the same for the use of the United States; also 6 negroes, belonging to the same estate, who have recently been employed in the rebel service at Guntersville, Ala., in constructing earthworks, digging rifle pits, &c. I also seized 1 mule of John Rayburn, 3 from John Ryan, and 1 from William Read; also 14 head of cattle and 3 mules from B. Mathews, for which no receipts were given. These last-mentioned persons were all over the river, having deserted their homes, and are engaged either as members of companies or aiders or abettors of the guerrillas and bushwhackers in the vicinity. No responsible person could be found to whom to receipt for said property, but I left word that if the owners would call at our headquarters proper vouchers would be given. I sent a small detachment of my command, under command of Lieutenant Williams, to Law's Landing, who captured as prisoners G. W. Morgan, of Colonel Howard's Alabama cavalry, and Ira T. Cobb, an active aider and abettor of the rebels, and also thought to be a bushwhacker. He was armed at the time of his arrest. Also a colored boy, private servant of Major Weeden. He also destroyed two skiffs in which they had crossed the river. The forces across the river continue about the same as contained in my last report.

The letters captured contained valuable information of the movements of the rebel army. The highest praise due the officers and soldiers of the command for