Crab Orchard on the morning of the 21st and arrived at Paint Lick Bridge that afternoon. On my arrival, finding no enemy there, I divided my forces, and sent one portion to Big Hill, where I was informed some of the enemy still remained, and another to Richmond, leaving a third portion at Paint Lick Bridge, to which point I had been notified in writing support would march.

The detachment under Captain Crosby sent to Big Hill found a wagon loaded with telegraph wires and a battery, which they destroyed, pouring acid on the wires and breaking up the battery. They also found 60 rounds of 10-pounder spherical case and a caisson, which was turned over to the commander of the Home Guards to bury, as we had no wagons.

The Richmond detachment found some 200 or 300 sick and wounded rebels there, which they did not parole, not having time or facilities for paroling so large a number.

I have the honor to inclose a list of prisoners captured and paroled by me during the march, and also to report the capture of 11 horses which were turned over to the Third Kentucky, Colonel Murray, and Seventh Pennsylvania, Major Wynkoop, the only troops of my brigade accompanying me.

The infantry supports arrived twenty-eight hours after we reached Paint Licke Bridge. I feel satisfied that none of the enemy except unarmed stragglers, sick and wounded, are in that part of Kentucky.

EDWARD M. McCOOK,

Colonel, Commanding Brigade.

Major GEORGE E. FLYNT.

Numbers 5.

Report of Colonel James R. Howard, Third Confederate Cavalry, of skirmishes near Mountain Gap, October 14-16.

JAMESTOWN, TENN.,

October 17, 1862-8 a.m.

GENERAL: Your dispatch under the caption of 13th instant was received last evening. Wolford's brigade (Federal) has been skirmishing with me for three days and nights. I have engaged him to the best of my ability every time. It was his purpose to cut me off. I out managed him, and have secured all my wagons as far as this point. In a short skirmish yesterday with about 500 of his cavalry I lost 2 men killed and 4 missing. His whole force is still after me. His force is about 5,000 strong, and are now in ambush at the old cattle trail up the mountain. As I had led the citizens to believe I was going, I started up the mountain by the way of Poplar Cove at night and I got to this point at 4 a.m. There was not a particle of subsistence or forage near here. Will make my headquarters, according to instructions, as near here as practicable where I can subsist.

At crossing of Cumberland the enemy routed Colonels Scott's and Starnes' cavalry. My pickets heard the firing, and I took my command to the rear to assist him, but they had gone and the enemy in full pursuit. I made a very narrow escape from being cut off. Clift's forces, or rather a portion of his command, are acting with this Federal force, as are all the bushwhackers that are left. I have thinned them in