Edward F. McCook to James A. Garfield, August 21, 1863

Brig. Gen. J. A. GARFIELD, Chief of Staff: Just reported by a gentleman of credit, who came from Charlotte, that a force of Confederate cavalry, between 3,000 and 4,000 strong, with two batteries, are between Charlotte and Yellow Creek. Have started man to find them and report facts. My mounted infantry are collecting the cars on railroad, as per your order. S. D. BRUCE, Colonel, Commanding. NASHVILLE, August 21, 1863—9.40 a. m. Major-General STANLEY : ; Colonel Galbraith’s command has leita eye cathe pad back in a few days. They are terribly lax in their discipline. them back in a y y OG GRANGER, Major-General. LARKINSVILLE, August 21, 1863—8 p. m. Colonel Watkins has moved his cup to Maysville. He says it is mC t be improve a very good one anno P EDWARD M. McCOOK. “LARKINSVILLE, August 21, 1863—7 p. m. Maj. W. H. SINCLAIR, Assistant Adjutant-General, Cavalry Corps: I present the synopsis of operations of First Cavalry Division since occupation of present line : August 13, left Huntsville, encamped Third Brigade at Flint River Bridge, bivouacked with First and Second Brigades at Hurricane making a détour, leaving Larkinsville road 2 miles east of the crossing, and by the Bellefonte road crossing the Cumberland Mountains and reaching Larkinsville August 15, 1863. They saw no guerrillas. I left the Fourth Indiana at Paint Rock Bridge ; arrived at Larkinsville, establishing headquarters and encamping the Second Indiana Cavalry and First Wisconsin Cavalry here. August 15, sent Colonel Campbell with one regiment to Stevenson, the other two regiments of his brigade leaving the next morning. Forage party on the Larkin’s Landing road was attacked by bushwhackers, who were repulsed and 2 of them killed. The country has been pretty well cleared of them since I have ordered them when caught to be hung and property destroyed in vicinity where they make attack. Troops are disposed as follows: Third Brigade, at Maysville; guard at Flint River and Hurricane bridges ; daily patrols to Huntsville, Whitesburg, and Lemon’s Ferry ; courier lines to these headquarters. Second Brigade, Fourth Indiana at Paint Rock Bridge; Second Indiana and First Wisconsin at this station; patrols from this brigade daily to Larkin’s Landing, and Guntersville and Fort Deposit roads, and along the line of railroad. First Brigade, Ninth Pennsylvania at Mud Creek Bridge, also guarding Bellefonte and Meltonsville fords and mouths of Mud Creek. Second Michigan and First East Tennessee, at Bolivar, guarding Caperton’s and Cox’s and Shallow Fords ; picketing road in front, and patrolling from Bolivar, the right of brigade line; courier line from Stevenson to these headquarters. Quartermaster stores captured, 34 horses and 54 mules. Rebel prisoners sent North, 34; obnoxious citizens sent out of lines, 4; rebel prisoners paroled and taken oath, 8; citizens, 47. The horses have been subsisted almost entirely on the forage of the country. The supply is running short.

EDWARD M. McCOOK,