Benjamin M. Prentiss to William Weer, April 5, 1863
Col. WILLIAM WEER, Commanding First Division, Carrollton, Ark., via Forsyth :
I learn that Marmaduke is at Batesville with 3,000 cavalry and six pieces of artillery, his advance (200 strong) being at Salem, Ark. It may be the intention of Price to re-enforce him by small detachments, and, when strong enough, to attack you. I want you to stay in that section as long as possible, but not to let Marmaduke slip up on the north side of the river. Keep a good lookout. Have you received my telegrams of the 2d, 3d, and 4th instant?
F. J. HERRON, Major-General, Commanding.
GENERAL ORDERS, Hpqrs. DIST. OF EASTERN ARKANSAS, No. 24. Helena, Ark., April 6, 1863.
I. Maj. Gen. O. O. Washburn, having been assigned to duty in West Tennessee, by orders from department headquarters, is relieved from command of the forces at Helena.
I. I. Brig. Gen. A. P. Hovey, U. S. Volunteers, is assigned to the command of the United States forces at Helena, and will take charge of the defenses of the place.
By order of Major-General Prentiss:
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
[DEPARTMENT OF THE Missouri, April 6, 1863.
General BLuNT, Leavenworth :
into Missouri should report to Colonel King, now scouring the country
in La Fayette. I also enjoin on Kansas troops operating in Missouri
not to take contraband property from one State into the other. If