deserted village, whose inhabitants had suddenly been struck with death.

But the stillness was soon broken by volley after volley poured into our column, and with a yell that sounded above the din, the enemy in solid column dashed upon us. They were bravely met, our gallant fellows returning cheer for cheer; and although one regiment had no carbines, but their sabres and pistols only, they dashed furiously upon the enemy. Fierce, yes, furious, was the fight in those narrow streets, as horse after horse and rider after rider fell to the earth.

Sparta, and within a mile of the river we encoun tered their pickets. With our advance-guard drove them over the river, and pursued them a quarter of a mile from the bridge. The advance found the rebels too strong, and retired over the bridge. Our men then came up, and we had a skirmish for one hour. Finding the enemy too strong--they numbering seven hundred men and two pieces of artillery—the Colonel thought best to withdraw his men towards the main army, which lay encamped on the river ten miles from where we had the fight. Had they been up with us, we would have captured the whole party at Sparta. Our loss is one man missing, one wounded slightly, and three horses shot. According to the account from the enemy, they had thirty killed and ten wounded. We took one prisoner. We came back from the river seven miles, and encamped for the night. On the fifth, took up the march again for Sparta, and when within three miles of the town, received orders from Gen. Nelson to return to McMinnsville, where we ar rived on the sixth, at twelve o'clock M., all well It was one of the hardest marches we ever experienced, as it was night and day, and we had to

But a few rods apart, the contending forces fired shot after shot. Again the enemy charged upon us, and so rapidly did they pour in their fire that for a moment there was confusion, and some of the companies fell to the rear. It was but for a moment. No sooner had the enemy appeared in the main street of the town than our troops were upon them, driving them back with the sabre. They were hastily retreating, when Capt. Hammond, with his squadron of the NewYork cavalry, came furiously charging into the town up the Gordonsville road. Already he had fought the enemy at the dépôt, and again his brave men were upon them. On, too, came Cap-subsist on corn-fields, our wagons being in the tains Flint and Wells, of Vermont, and the enemy turning, fled in the utmost confusion.

During the fight, which was hand to hand, in a narrow street, several of our men were killed and wounded, and the enemy lost a large number. Twenty dead bodies were counted lying in the streets, and as the rebels fell wounded from their horses, the people rushed from their houses and carried them in. The balls flew everywhere.

rear of Gen. Nelson's army, which did not keep up with us. I can safely say that for seven days, while on the march, the sleep did not average three hours out of twenty-four. The Seventh has been worked very hard, and men and horses are nearly all used up. I am in hopes they will give the Seventh a respite for a while, and let them recruit up.

Doc. 170.

THE ORDER FOR A DRAFT.

WAR Department, Washington, D. C., August 4, 1862. ORDERED: First, that a draft of three hundred thousand militia be immediately called into the service of the United States, to serve for nine months, unless sooner discharged. The Secretary of War will assign the quotas to the States and establish regulations for the draft.

Our General and his body-guard were with the advance, and as the terrific fire was poured in upon us, and our whole line was checked by the furious charge, you could hear his voice urging his men to be steady, and his repeated orders to them to charge upon the enemy. One of his body-guard was shot through the body, and two of the others had their horses shot under them. So close was the enemy, and so determined was the resistance and the fighting, that instances occurred in which our men were taken prisoners and again recaptured. A sergeant of the body- Second, that if any State shall not by the fif guard had his horse shot and was taken prisoner. teenth of August furnish its quota of the addi He was recaptured by Captain Hammond in his tional three hundred thousand volunteers authorcharge, and in his turn captured one of the ene-ized by law, the deficiency of volunteers in that my, whom he brought into camp.

'Doc. 169.

THE BATTLE AT SPARTA, TENN.

COLONEL WYNKOOP'S REPORT.

NASHVILLE, TENN., August 11, 1862.

I LEFT McMinnsville with my command on Sunday, August third, for reconnoitring. Leaving the army at McMinnsville, under General Nelson, there were in the command sixty-three men of the Fourth Kentucky and one hundred and seven of the Seventh Indiana. We saw nothing of the rebels on Monday. We crossed the river for

State will also be made up by a special draft from the militia. The Secretary of War will establish regulations for this purpose.

Third, regulations will be prepared by the War Department, and presented to the President, with the object of securing the promotion of officers of the army and volunteers for meritorious and distinguished services, and of preventing the nomination and appointment in the military service of incompetent or unworthy officers.

The regulations will also provide for ridding the service of such incompetent persons as now hold commissions.

By order of the President.

EDWIN M. STANTON,
Secretary of War.

CAMP NEAR HARRISON'S LANDING,
Wednesday morning, August 6, 1862.

HOOKER and Sedgwick repossessed Malvern Hills yesterday morning. They marched circuitously to the right, and approached in the rear of that position, having the enemy between them and the river. He may have been four thousand strong. The ball opened with artillery, both parties throwing spherical case; the enemy throwing more and making better practice than he usually does. His guns were numerous in proportion to his men. The duel began on Nelson's farm. Leaving that position, the enemy fell back two miles, to Malvern, and made a stand. Here the battle raged an hour, the gunboats participating; I do not think they were of any service, however. By an hour, the enemy was becoming silent. Soon after we advanced, not firing again. The bayonet was sufficient. The enemy did not stand an instant, nor fire a shot. He had already withdrawn his guns by the river-road toward Richmond. His cavalry followed them. His infantry scattered into a heavy body of woods, and, taking by-paths and cattle-ways, passed through to that same river road, and escaped. The Eighth Illinois cavalry charged after, cut down numbers, and captured forty. The woods were too dense for a destructive charge. Becoming hopelessly entangled in the woody meshes, they were compelled to draw rein. So ended the battle.

Our loss will reach forty killed and wounded. Here is a partial list:

RICHMOND "EXAMINER" ACCOUNT.

RICHMOND, August 10.

An officer who participated in the affair at Malvern Hill has furnished us with the following particulars with reference to the occupancy of that point by the enemy, and its subsequent recovery by our forces under General Longstreet:

On Tuesday morning the Eighth Georgia regiment, Capt. Lawson commanding, was moved up from New-Market Heights to relieve the Seventeenth, then on picket on Malvern Hill. On the march they were met by several couriers, stating that the enemy were in large force advancing upon the hill, and in its immediate vicinity. The reports of artillery gave evidence that a brisk engagement was going on. When the Eighth Georgia reached the base of the hill, the announcement was made by several couriers to Captain Lawson that the ammunition of our pieces was exhausted, and that the artillery at the post, and the Seventeenth, were surrounded. Capt. Lawson immediately despatched a courier to the commandant of the Seventeenth, that he had formed his regiment in line of battle at the base of the hill, and would protect their retreat, and to come off at all hazards. With artillery playing upon one flank and a cavalry charge upon the other, they left the hill, and succeeded in making good their retreat, bringing off all their pieces, and only losing one caisson, that was torn to pieces in the fight. Some eight or nine of the Seventeenth had previously been captured while picketing.

Three members of the artillery were killed and If the design was to capture the enemy in a two wounded. Between seventy and eighty of body, it failed. Nevertheless the results are im- the enemy are supposed to have been killed. portant. We again threaten Richmond. We About one mile from the base of the hill the captured fifty, perhaps, of those lurking within Eighth Georgia was overtaken by the enemy's our lines; we hunted out of the woods five times cavalry and artillery. So soon as it was discovthat number; killed and wounded sixty that are ered, the regiment was drawn up in line of battle, in our hands, and doubtless have given the ene- which checked the advance of the foe. The regimy a good scare. He probably was astounded ment then moved back into a corn-field, and, unat such audacity in this army. der cover of the corn and intervening hills, the retreat was effected with the loss of one man of the regiment, who was captured. The regiment continued to fall back till it came within a short distance of New-Market Heights. About three o'clock the same regiment received orders to advance again through a thick woods on the left of the river-road, with a view to feel the enemy. They advanced about two miles, when their skirmishers were fired upon by the enemy, simultaneously with a charge of the enemy's cavalry upon our cavalry. Our cavalry fell back, but the regiment continued to respond to the fire of the enemy for some ten minutes, when the firing ceased. Falling back, the cavalry and infantry took position at an eligible position about four hundred yards in rear of the woods. The enemy made no further demonstration on that day, having full possession of the hill.

Killed-Ed. F. Jones, company G, Eleventh Massachusetts; John Nolan, company G, Eleventh Massachusetts; John Dugan, Eighth Illinois cavalry; Sergeant Ó. J. Morse, Eighth Illinois cavalry.

Wounded-Lieut.-Col. Gamble, Eighth Illinois cavalry, severely; Capt. Benson, of Benson's regular battery, severely; W. E. Jeffrey, company G, Eleventh Massachusetts, thigh; Sergeant Wm. P. Price, Eleventh Massachusetts, arm; Marcus M. Holmes, Eleventh Massachusetts, ankle; John Towle, Eleventh Massachusetts, slightly; Jas. H. Sutcliffe, Eleventh Massachusetts, slightly.

The casualties in the Eleventh Massachusetts were all by a single shell. Besides the above, the Sixteenth Massachusetts lost seven or eight, and the Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania as many.

We picketed last night nearly or quite to White
Oak Swamps, and some distance up the river.
The men are immensely elated at regaining old
battle-fields.
C. A. P.

On Wednesday morning, at daylight, the corps of Gen. Longstreet was moved forward, and encamped that night within half a mile of the hill, the day having been spent in reconnoitring. On Thursday, about twelve o'clock, the corps ad

Boynton of the Thirty-fifth Ohio, together with nine members of his escort, was suddenly attacked by a band of mounted guerrillas, numbering be tween one and two hundred men, about noon on the fourth inst.

vanced and took possession of the hill without by Capt. Hunter Brooke of his staff, and Major firing a gun, the enemy having evacuated the night before, about twelve o'clock. The number of the enemy was estimated at from fifteen to thirty thousand. Several prisoners were taken, among them two sentinels, who were on the top of the house on the summit of the hill. Considerable supplies of coffee, meat, crackers, etc., were left by the enemy, indicating that they had evacuated under evident alarm.

Doc. 172.

THE DEATH OF GENERAL McCOOK.

ORDER OF GENERAL THOMAS,
HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION OF THE OHIO,
CAMP NEAR DECHARD, August 7, 1862.

GENERAL ORDERS, No. 8.

THE Major-General Commanding announces with deep regret, to the troops of this Division, the death of Brig.-Gen. Robert L. McCook, who departed this life at twelve o'clock M. on the sixth inst., from wounds received from a party of guerrillas, who attacked him while proceeding in an ambulance en route from Athens, Ala., to this place.

Gen. McCook entered the volunteer service at

the commencement of the rebellion, won a name for himself and command by his daring exploits in Western Virginia, and added greatly to his fame at the battle of Mill Spring, where he was severely wounded whilst conducting a charge with his gallant regiment. He was affable in his manners, and a courteous gentleman.

A brave officer and congenial friend is lost to this division, and the country has been deprived

of a General who was firm and devoted to its interests.

Whilst we deplore his loss, let us be steady in our efforts to maintain such discipline as will insure to our arms a just retribution upon the dastardly foe who could take advantage of his defenceless condition.

In respect for his memory, the usual badge of
mourning will be worn for thirty days.
By command of Major-Gen. Geo. H. Thomas.
GEO. E. FLYNT,
A.A.G., Chief of Staff.

OFFICIAL REPORT OF COLONEL VANDERVEER.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD BRIGADE, ARMY OF THE OHIO,

CAMP NEAR DECHARD, TENN., August 9, 1862.

Major Boynton, with one of the escort, and a citizen as a guide, mounted upon the horse of another, had been sent a half-mile to the rear; and three members of the escort, including the sergeant, a like distance to the front, in search of suitable camping-grounds for the brigade, thus leaving but four of the escort with Gen. McCook -one of whom was dismounted, and Capt. Brooke, who was unarmed and in the carriage attending upon the General when the attack began.

The General succeeded in turning his carriage, but not until the guerrillas were within range, and firing. He was soon overtaken and surrounded, although his horses were running at the top of their speed. of "Stop! stop!" the General arose in his bed In reply to the oft-repeated cry and exclaimed: "Don't shoot, the horses are unNotwithstanding this surrender, those riding with manageable; we will stop as soon as possible." in a few feet, by the side of the carriage, fired, one ball passing through his hat, and one inflicting a mortal wound in the abdomen, which produced death about twenty-four hours after, at noon of August sixth.

but

The alarm having reached the column, it was hurried up at double-quick, and almost immediately encountered the advance of the band; a few shots from the head of the Thirty-fifth scattered them instantly.

Gen. McCook was found in a house near where

he was shot, whither he had been carried by Capt. Brooke and the driver of the carriage.

Of those in advance, Capt. Brooke, two members of the escort, and two teamsters of the Ninth Ohio, were captured, and one member of the Ninth Ohio band was wounded by a sabre-cut on the head. Gen. McCook's wagons were fired, but not greatly damaged. The three horses attached to this team, and the mules of one other brigade team were taken.

The condition of Gen. McCook could not but have been known to the attacking party, as he was on his bed divested of all outer clothing, except a hat used as a shade, and the curtains of the carriage being raised on all sides.

There are good reasons for supposing that the attack was planned solely for Gen. McCook's capMajor George E. Flynt, A.A. G., Chief of Staffsassination, many of the soldiers of the brigade ture or murder. Infuriated by this cowardly asSIR: It becomes my melancholy duty to report spread themselves over the country before any that, while a portion of the Third brigade, com

posing the Ninth Ohio volunteers, the Second Min-measures could be taken to check them, and nesota volunteers, and the Thirty-fifth Ohio volun- burned nearly all the property of rebels in the teers, under the command of Brig.-Gen. Robert vicinity, and shot a rebel lieutenant who was on L. McCook, were on their march from Athens, furlough and supposed to be connected with the Ala., to this point, at a point near the southern gang line of Tennessee, Gen. McCook, who was sick, and riding in an open carriage upon his bed, about three miles in advance of the troops, accompanied }

I have the honor to be very respectfully your
obedient servant,
F. VANDERVEER,
Colonel Thirty-fifth Ohio Volunteers,
Commanding Third Brigade.

Doc. 173.

BATTLE OF TAZEWELL, TENN.

GENERAL MORGAN'S DESPATCH.

AUGUST 9, 1862.

To His Excellency Andrew Johnson:
GOVERNOR: On the fifth and sixth instant, De
Courcey's brigade, with the Fourteenth Kentucky,
had a series of brilliant affairs with Stevenson's
division in entire force. The enemy outnumbered
DeCourcey four to one.

The enemy lost two hundred and twenty-five, and Lieut.-Colonel Gordon, of the Eleventh Tennessee, was taken prisoner. We captured two hundred wagon-loads of forage, twelve hundred pounds of tobacco, and thirty horses and mules. We lost three killed, fifteen wounded, and fifty prisoners. Two companies of the Sixteenth Ohio were surrounded by the rebel regiments, but two thirds of them cut their way through.

John Morgan, at the head of two thousand cavalry, left Knoxville for Kingston about the second instant. It is rumored that Kentucky is to be invaded. GEO. W. MORGAN, Brigadier-General.

LOUISVILLE "JOURNAL" ACCOUNT.

LOUISVILLE, August 16.

We have had the pleasure of an interview with Capt. J. H. Ferry, Quartermaster of General Morgan's division, who left the Gap at noon on Tuesday last, the twelfth instant, and he gives a full and explicit denial to the rebel reports of our reverses in that vicinity. Since the fight at Wallace's Cross-Roads, in the middle of July, there has been no regular engagement near the Gap until last Saturday, when Col. De Courcey went out on a foraging party with his whole brigade, consisting of the Sixteenth and Forty-second Ohio and Twenty-second Kentucky, Col. Lindsey, and the Fourteenth Kentucky, Col. Cochran, of Gen. Baird's division.

a terrible fire upon them, which checked their advance and threw them into disorder. In the mean time, Foster's entire battery of six guns had been placed in position on an eminence in the rear, and opened fire, which turned the rebel disorder into a rout, and no more was seen of them. Rebel officers who came in under a flag of truce, acknowledged a loss of from two hundred to two hundred and fifty, and the Knoxville Register, a copy of which Captain Ferry had read, published the names of one hundred and nine killed.

We lost but three killed; among them, we regret to say, was Captain Edgar, of the Sixteenth Ohio, who was on picket-duty with his company in advance of the Fourteenth Kentucky. He was a brave man, and one of the most accomplished drill officers in the service. His death was instantaneous, having been shot through the head. Col. Cochran had fifteen wounded in his regiment, and our total wounded was twenty-three. We lost fifty-seven men of Edgar's and Tannehill's companies of the Sixteenth Ohio, who were cut off before they could fall back from picket-duty, on the main body.

Lieut.-Col. Gordon, of the Eleventh rebel Tennessee regiment, was taken prisoner by two men of the Sixteenth Ohio, and though their company was completely surrounded, they dexterously managed to bring him in to Colonel De Courcey. The rebels offered to exchange all the prisoners taken by them for their lieutenant-colonel, but the arrangements had not been completed when Captain Ferry left the Gap. Gen. Morgan issued orders complimenting Cols. Cochran and De Courcey and their men for their bravery, but it is universally conceded that to Col. Cochran belongs all the credit of the splendid repulse of the four rebel regiments.

ATLANTA "CONFEDERACY" ACCOUNT.

MORRISTOWN, August 8.

The enemy has been met and defeated-in fact, routed; but it has not been as extensive an enCol. Cochran was in advance with his regiment, gagement as at first supposed; neither has there about a mile and a half beyond Tazewell, on picket- been the cutting to pieces of this regiment and duty, when he was attacked by four rebel regi- that battalion, as stated. The fight was a gallant ments under Col. Rains, comprising the Eleventh one while it lasted, which, according to the genand Forty-second Tennessee, Thirtieth Alabama, eral's despatch, was about four hours. The eneand Twenty-first Georgia. Col. Cochran imme- my were getting bold in the vicinity of our forces, diately formed his command on each side of the and was gradually extending his lines and comroad, each flank supported by a piece of artillery mitting depredations upon the property of private from Foster's Wisconsin battery, under command citizens; so Gen. Smith ordered an attack, to put of Lieut. John D. Anderson. The rebels advanced a check upon his movements. The skirmish of upon the Fourteenth Kentucky in extended line, Colonel Ashby's cavalry, some days ago, was the and their flanking regiments thrown forward, forerunner of a movement on him, and shout after with the evident intention of surrounding and shout went up from the ranks of men almost discutting off the whole regiment and artillery. Col. heartened that our government would not let them Cochran, seeing this, retired his regiment in per- have a brush. As I learned, the Third Georgia fect order, as soon as the artillery had placed it- and Fourth Tennessee were in advance, and wadself in his rear, and took position where the move-ed Clinch River, which, being swollen a little, came ment could not be repeated against him.

The rebels then changed their plan of attack, and charged by column of regiments, until when within two hundred and fifty yards, Col. Cochran, who had stood without discharging a gun, poured

up to their arm-pits.

It is impossible to draw the Yankees in a fair, open field fight, but they are always found in strong position, as in this instance. Two miles from and overlooking Tazewell, is a ridge called

Doc. 174.

Waldren's, and is the scene of several little artillery duels between the opposing forces. Here

HELD AUGUST 6, 1862.

PRESIDENT LINCOLN'S SPEECH.

Gen. Stevenson, with his brigade, consisting of WAR MEETING AT WASHINGTON, D C. the Eleventh Tennessee, Fourth Tennessee, Forty-second Georgia, Eighth Georgia battalion, and Yeiser's battery, with the Eufala artillery, met the enemy. Taylor's brigade acted in conjunction. All went to work to dislodge the enemy; with such a furore did they attack him, that in a few hours the Federals, consisting of about three brigades, turned and fled, the majority at a run, and some in great disorder. The Sixteenth Ohio was the only regiment that left in any manner appertaining to good order. As usual, they left a good portion of their dead on our hands, taking seven or eight wagon-loads off previous to their defeat.

We have not captured any artillery, as announced; neither did the Third Tennessee regiment lose one hundred and nine men in killed and wounded, as reported; but they fought gallantly, and I have been told that, had they been supported, they would have taken the enemy's guns in a charge made by them. Capt. Corput's battery did fine execution, and poured the shot and shell into their disordered column as they put out in a double-quick for the Gap. Forty prisoners were captured, a good many stand of arms, and some commissary stores. Lieut.-Col. Gordon, of the Eleventh Tennessee regiment, (Col. Hains,) was captured by the enemy.

I cannot call this a battle, as it does not come up to my idea of what a battle is; I denominate it more like a heavy skirmish. I have asked as high as fifty persons what our losses are, and after putting myself to the trouble of comparing all statements, I strike a balance of nine killed and thirty or forty wounded.

FELLOW-CITIZENS: I believe there is no precedent for my appearing before you on this occasion, [applause,] but it is also true that there is no precedent for your being here yourselves, [applause and laughter,] and I offer, in justification of myself and of you, that, upon examination, I have found nothing in the Constitution against. [Renewed applause.] I, however, have an impression that there are younger gentlemen who will enter tain you better, [voices-" No, no! none can do better than yourself. Go on !"] and better address your understanding than I will or could, and therefore I propose but to detain you a moment longer. [Cries-"Go on! Tar and feather the rebels !"]

I am very little inclined on any occasion to say any thing unless I hope to produce some good by it. [A voice-"You do that; go on."] The only thing I think of just now not likely to be better said by some one else is a matter in which we have heard some other persons blamed for what I did myself. [Voices "What is it?"] There has been a very wide-spread attempt to have a quarrel between Gen. McClellan and the Secretary of War. Now, I occupy a position that enables me to observe, at least these two gentlemen are not nearly so deep in the quarrel as some pretending to be their friends. [Cries of "Good."] Gen. McClellan's attitude is such that, in the very selfishness of his nature, he cannot but wish to be successful, and I hope he willand the Secretary of War is in precisely the same The loss of the enemy is variously estimated situation. If the military commanders in the at from fifty to one hundred and fifty in killed field cannot be successful, not only the Secretary and wounded. It was a brilliant affair, and re- of War, but myself, for the time being the master flects great credit upon our arms. It has come of them both, cannot be but failures. [Laughter like a thunderbolt on the Unionists in this sec- and applause.] I know Gen. McClellan wishes tion, who were making their boasts of soon shak- to be successful, and I know he does not wish it ing hands with their Federal friends. It has any more than the Secretary of War for him, and relieved a large section of country from the dep-both of them together no more than I wish it. redations of a ravaging foe. The boasted threat | [Applause and cries of "Good."] Sometimes we that this railroad would soon be in their hands, coupled with the congratulatory promise of Andy Johnson to dine with his tory friends, is all exploded now, and pray "where now is heard the scream of Montgomery's eagle?"

The Federals fled to the Gap, and our forces now occupy Tazewell. They have advanced in a few days over twenty miles in the enemy's front, and I should not be surprised if this affair, small as it appears to be, will cause General Morgan to leave Tennessee, and let his hoped for junction with Buell go by the board. The decisive battle of East-Tennessee is yet to come off, and Buell is now "trying not to try "-not to find out where to attack us, but how to avoid it and get safely

away.

have a dispute about how many men General MeClellan has had, and those who would disparage him say that he has had a very large number, and those who would disparage the Secretary of War insist that General McClellan has had a very small number. The basis for this is, there is always a wide difference, and on this occasion, perhaps a wider one between the grand total on McClellan's rolls and the men actually fit for duty; and those who would disparage him talk of the grand total on paper, and those who would disparage the Secretary of War talk of those at present fit for duty. Gen. McClellan has sometimes asked for things that the Secretary of War did not give him. General McClellan is not to blame for asking what he wanted and needed, and the Secretary of War is not to blame for not giv ing when he had none to give. [Applause, laughter, and cries of "Good, good."] And I say here,