HEADQUARTERS RIGHT WING,
December 16, 1862-3.30 p.m.

Lieutenant-Colonel GARESCHE,

Chief of Staff:

COLONEL: I have the honor to forward the following extract from a communication just received from Brigadier-General Davis:

HEADQUARTERS NINTH DIVISION, FOURTEENTH ARMY CORPS.

General Negley has just reported that his foraging party was fired into by the rebel advance, under Buckner, near Brentwood. I don't understand it, as I have just come from near Brentwood myself, and all was quiet there and along the entire line of pickets.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. McD. McCOOK,

Major-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS FOURTEENTH ARMY CORPS,

Nashville, December 16, 1862

Major-General McCOOK:

General Negley and forage train are returning safe.

J. P. GARESCHE,

Assistant Adjutant-General and Chief of Staff.

HEADQUARTERS RIGHT WING,
December 16, 1862

Colonel GARESCHE:

The reconnaissance on the Nolensville road has just returned. They met the enemy's cavalry pickets at Mrs. Patterson's, about 1 1/2 miles in front of our pickets. They retired. No indications of a force was discovered. Report, in writing will be forwarded to-morrow morning. All quiet.

A. McD. McCOOK,

Major-General, Commanding.

GENERAL McCOOK'S HEADQUARTERS

December 16, 1862

Colonel J. P. GARESCHE, Chief of Staff:

Dispatch received; orders given. Two small bodies of cavalry just appeared in front of Davis; one party turned to the right toward Sheridan and one toward Negley. The cavalry vedettes in front of Sheridan are in sight of the enemy's vedettes. I will keep a good lookout.

A. McD. McCOOK,

Major-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS RIGHT WING,
December 16, 1862 - 8.45. p.m.

Colonel J. P. GARESCHE, Chief of Staff:

General Davis returned from 2 miles beyond Brentwood at 6 p.m. He saw about 40 rebel cavalry, which ran before him. I have not heard anything of the heavy force that attacked Negley's train to-day.

A. McD. McCOOK,

Major-General.