ORs: (US) Report of Colonel McCook, - October 24, 1862

War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies
Series 1, Volume 16, Part 1, Page 1142-3

LEBANON, KY.,
October 24, 1862.

SIR:
I have the honor to report that in pursuance to your order I left 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 duriuzrg 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 Lick 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.

Maj. GEORGE E. FLYNT.