Alvin Saunders to Tyler, April 20, 1863

Colonel TYLER : You stay where the depot is and protect that. The rebels are fighting for supplies. Bring the 24-pounder howitzers up to the depot and place them in position. Hold on to Fort Curtis; it covers the entrance to Bellevue Valley. Send the Third Iowa to cover Smarts retreat. Concentrate your troops in good position at the depot. J. W. DAVIDSON, Brigadier-General, Commanding. OmAHA, NEBR., April 20, 1863. General-in-Chief : A part of our troops can and ought to go up the Missouri. None, in my opinion, should cross the river. If they are taken from the west side, Kearny, Laramie, Halleck, telegraph and stage lines, and the frontier will have less than 400 troops for protection. Pope’s demonstration in the north will drive hostile tribes upon our frontier.

ALVIN SAUNDERS,