Colonel GEIGER, LITTLE ROCK, ARK., November 23, 1864. Commanding Cavalry Brigade, Brownsville, Ark. : Get ready the scout of 500 mentioned in my dispatch as soon as possible. It should start on Saturday or Monday. It should be all from the same regiments' companies as far as possible, so as not to interfere with the organization of other scouts. Answer when it will be ready. Send regimental and company headquarters when regiments and companies go; send also company cooks, regimental and company clerks, &c. Do not let any serviceable men and horses remain on pretense of taking care of quarters, hospitals, &c. E. A. CARR, Brigadier-General, Commanding. Major-General STEELE: PINE BLUFF, ARK., November 23, 1864. Colonel Erskine has returned from the scout down the river. He met a boat in advance of the fleet near Arkansas Post. It will be here to-day. He reports the country as clear of rebels. He caught 2 lieutenants and 6 men. He thinks the steamer in advance of the fleet is engaged in contraband trade. POWELL CLAYTON, Brigadier-General, Commanding. Capt. C. H. DYER, PINE BLUFF, November 23, 1864. Assistant Adjutant-General, District of Little Rock: Colonel Erskine has just returned from a scout to Arkansas Post. Met the steamer May Duke there. The fleet is supposed to have entered this river last night or this morning. Ascertained that there are no Confederate troops between the Arkansas River and Monticello. Parsons' brigade is at Warren, and between there and Monticello captured 2 lieutenants and 6 privates at home on furlough. Steamer May Duke has arrived here. She was fired into frequently by guerrillas after the scout left her. POWELL CLAYTON, Brigadier-General, Commanding. Lieut. Col. C. T. CHRISTENSEN, HEADQUARTERS U. S. FORCES, Assistant Adjutant-General: SIR: In reply to your indorsement of November 19, I have the honor to report that the regiments sent from Morganza have been returned to that command. I could have made good use of them, but as the expected emergency, to meet which they were kindly sent, did not arise, I did not feel justified in detaining them. I sent my effective cavalry, except about fifty, enough for vedettes, to Vicksburg, by order of MajorGeneral Dana, to join in an expedition set on foot by him, &c. I am advised of the presence of some 800 rebel cavalry, with four pieces of artillery, within twenty miles of me, southeasterly, on the Homochitto. In aid of General Dana's plans, I am drawing them as near and keeping them as confident as possible. Please to understand that in asking for cavalry here it was to enable me to make offensive movements and to secure supplies, not that I consider Natchez in present danger. A small force is sufficient for defense. I am desirous of something more when proper to act. Respectfully, your obedient servant, M. BRAYMAN, Brigadier-General, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY EXPEDITION, Black River Bridge, November 23, 1864–1.30 p.m. Lieut. Col. T. H. HARRIS, Assistant Adjutant-General: COLONEL: I have the honor to report that I have arrived here; 2,200 cavalry and eight pieces artillery. Train has arrived on railroad, and the process of laying the bridge will commence immediately. Large fires, caused by the burning grass, have made immense volumes of smoke, which can plainly be seen ten to fifteen miles. Our project of going to Jackson has been fully announced two days since. I regret to report two hours' delay with pontoon train-one hour and a half from non-arrival of the lieutenant in charge and one-half hour from bad roads. Everything promises well. We have [met] no enemy. I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, E. D. OSBAND, Col. Third U. S. Col. Cav., Comdg. Cav. Forces, Dist. of Vicksburg. [Indorsement.] It is reported that the lieutenant in charge of the pontoon train communicated to a citizen named George the news that the troops were going to Jackson, and that he had been ordered to have his train ready. Order the chief engineer to place him in arrest for this and for his dilatoriness in marching, and let him make a written explanation. The engineer will have his place filled. HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION, SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Col. S. G. HILL, D[ANA]. On board steamer Albert Pearce, Commanding Third Brigade, First Division: SIR: The general commanding directs that you cause the transports on which your command is embarked to be in readiness to proceed to Cairo, Ill., to-morrow morning at daybreak. Upon arriving at that point the boats will take on coal for four days. Immediately after coaling the boats will swing into the stream and await further orders from these headquarters. The exact time for starting will be indicated by an officer from these headquarters. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 42 R R-VOL XLI, PT IV W. H. F. RANDALL, CIRCULAR.] HDQRS. DISTRICT OF SOUTHWEST MISSOURI, In compliance with orders from department headquarters the cavalry regiments in this district will be prepared for active field service without delay. Regimental, post, and company or detachment commanders are charged with the execution of this order, and will at once cause all horses to be shod, unserviceable horses recuperated, and their entire command properly equipped for the field. By command of Brigadier-General Sanborn: WM. T. KITTREDGE, General C. B. FISK: BROOKFIELD, November 23, 1864. I arrived at Brunswick on Wednesday night, November 16, and 17th several families came to me for permission to move their effects to Saint Louis by boat. My answer to them was that I knew of no reason why they should not be allowed to do so; that I should not interfere. Several families moved such things as they chose to a warehouse levee to await the arrival of a boat. No boat came that day, and I understood that a citizen guard was put over the warehouse to protect the property. I was told next day that more went. Soldiers were prowling about the place all night in a threatening manner, and I was asked to let Lieutenant Bryan watch-five men guard the place the next night-which was done. At 9 p. m. I had a provost guard patrol the town and gather up all stragglers. All soldiers were in quarters, and I was in the building occupied by Company A. At about 11.30 o'clock in the night I was called by Lieutenant Baker, who reported firing in the town. I immediately ordered all the companies into line and learned that the shooting was near the seminary, and that there had been eight or ten shots fired from the west side of Grand River. I marched ten companies in double-quick to the seminary and took one company to scout the brush in that locality, placing the balance of the men not on picket in a position for use in case they were needed. While scouring the timber and brush the alarm of fire was made, and the report came to me that stables where our horses were quartered were on fire. I immediately ordered two companies to the vicinity of the fire and went with them and found warehouse where those goods were stored all in flames. I then placed my men in position for defense and took a good many to put out the fire. We did all we could to save other buildings and did save all but the warehouse. I am told Colonel Moberly had some few things in this building that were destroyed. I was informed that some rebels had been ordered to leave. This was not done by any of my command, but by Union men who have been mistreated by rebels. This judge you spoke of I do not know; never heard of him before. I find that the whole disloyal element in that country are disposed to misrepresent all our acts, while they are all ready to apologize for bushwhackers and rebels. There are about fifty bushwhackers this side the river now who are dressed in Federal uniform. They have driven out most all the true Union men, except at places where Federal troops are stationed. They now are compelled to prey upon those who are neutral, and all these acts are charged to Union troops. I have a report of my trip to make in writing, which I think will astonish you as to the condition of a portion of this country and acts of many who remained here while bushwhackers were in command, but left for Saint Louis and Illinois when Federals made their appearance. These are the men who now stand ready to destroy the only hope left us-our true soldiers. E. J. CRANDALL, HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF KANSAS, GEORGE S. PARK, Esq., MY DEAR SIR: Yours of the 20th is received. I am indeed sorry to hear some rebels are left behind to annoy your neighborhood. I think, however, they are preparing to get out of the country, as I heard on my return from the pursuit of Price that a gang of rogues were preparing to follow Price as soon as they could get through. But you must look to General Rosecrans. He must attend to his own department. What I have done in Missouri seems to provoke my foes to continual slanders by the Saint Louis press, and I get no thanks from those who ought to recognize my earnest exertions to co-operate with them. I cannot be indifferent to your necessities, but do not feel authorized to act where my neighbors hold command and find fault with what I do at their request. I do not refer to General Fisk, who will do all he can for you. I am, very truly, your friend, S. R. CURTIS, HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF KANSAS, Hon. S. C. POMEROY, Topeka, Kans.: SIR: I am directed by the major-general commanding to say, in reply to your communication, indorsed by his Excellency the Governor, asking the presentation of, two mountain howitzers to the Topeka Battery as a testimonial to their gallant conduct in the field, that he will endeavor to comply with said request at an early period. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Major and Assistant Adjutant-General. Capt. GEORGE S. HAMPTON, PAOLA, November 23, 1864. Fort Scott: You and Simpson come here to-morrow. Direct all the troops of Jennison's command to the same locality as they were before the commencement of the campaign. First Colorado and Ninth Wisconsin Batteries will come here. I understand that there is difficulty among the troops at Fort Scott. Use proper discretion and issue orders by my direction to meet all emergencies. Telegraph me to-night the condition of affairs at Fort Scott. I leave for Leavenworth at 4 o'clock in the morning. JAS. G. BLUNT, Major-General. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF SOUTH KANSAS, Col. C. R. JENNISON, In the Field, Fort Scott, November 23, 1864. Comdg. First Brig., First Div., Army of the Border, Fort Scott: COLONEL: The major-general commanding the district directs that you immediately order the troops of your command (except First Colorado and Ninth Wisconsin Batteries) to the same posts and stations occupied by them before the commencement of the campaign. You will direct the commanding officers of companies and detachments to move their commands with the least possible delay. Orders will be given direct from these headquarters to the commanding officers of the First Colorado and Ninth Wisconsin Batteries. I am, colonel, respectfully, your obedient servant, Assistant Adjutant-General. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF SOUTH KANSAS, Capt. W. D. MCLAIN, Comdg. First Colorado Battery, Fort Scott, Kans. : CAPTAIN: The major-general commanding the district directs that you proceed at once with your command to Paola, Kans., and report to the commanding officer of that post for further orders. I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Assistant Adjutant-General. (Similar order furnished. Capt. James H. Dodge, Ninth Wisconsin Battery.) SPECIAL ORDERS, HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF NEW MEXICO, * * * * * II. The District of Fort Craig, N. Mex., is hereby abolished. The commander of Fort McRac will make all reports direct to department headquarters, and will make all requisitions for supplies direct upon the chiefs of the several branches of the staff in this department. By command of Brigadier-General Carleton: ERASTUS W.. WOOD, |