Numbers 2.

Reports of Major General George H. Thomas, U. S. Army, commanding First Division, with order announcing death of Brigadier-General McCook.

HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION, DISTRICT OF THE OHIO, Decherd, Tenn., August 7, 1862.

GENERAL: General R. L. McCook died of his wounds yesterday at 12 o'clock. It seems that he was riding some distance ahead of his command in an ambulance (being sick), with his escort, and stopped at a house belonging to a man named Petit to inquire about water and a camping ground; sent his escort a short distance ahead to the edge of a woods, where they were fired upon, and before he could turn his ambulance around and return to his command the escort retreated, and a man riding alongside of the ambulance shot him through the side.

His regiment were very much enraged, and before they could be stopped burned and destroyed some four or five farm-houses; but Colonel Van Derveer, by great exertions, succeeded in subjugating them to discipline before night, and they are now quiet.

GEO. H. THOMAS,
Major-General, U. S. Volunteers.

Major-General BUELL.

DECHERD, August 7, 1862.

The attack on General McCook occurred not far from New Market, on the road between Hazel Green and Winchester. Colonel Van Derveer thinks they were guerrillas, but Captain Brooke, who was captured, wrote a note to Colonel Van Derveer, stating that the attack was made by regular Confederate States cavalry, and that he was a prisoner of a Captain Hambrick, who offers to exchange him for his (Hambrick's) brother, a prisoner in Huntsville. I am inclined to the belief that citizens were giving assistance, but do not know who.

GEO. H. THOMAS,

Major-General.

Colonel J. B. FRY, Chief of Staff.

GENERAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. FIRST DIV., DIST. OF THE OHIO,

Numbers 8.
Camp near Decherd, August 7, 1862.

The major-general commanding announces with deep regret to the troops of this division the death of Brigadier General Robert L. McCook, who departed this life at 12 o'clock m. on the 6th instant from wounds received from a party of guerrillas, who attacked him while proceeding in an ambulance en route from Athens, Ala., to this place.

General 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 Springs, 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 a 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 defenseless condition.