Brig. Gen to C, C. Andrews, September 5, 1864
Brig. Gen. C, C. ANDREWS, Deval’s Bluff:
By dispatch from Captain Howland, Third Regiment [U. 8. Cavalry], I learn that Price’s infantry has not been at Benton. The cavalry under Fagan has left there with a large train. They took the Hot Springs road, and people say they are going to Dardanelle. Price is probably still at his camp on the other side of the Saline. You need not send any trodps from your post until Graves returns, unless General Carr should order it. We need laborers to work on defenses very much, but I do not think it advisable to weaken your post much more just now. I advise you to strengthen your works.
F. STEELE, Major-General. Captain Howland was in Benton to-day.
BROWNSVILLE, September 5, 1864.
Devall’s Bluff :
The district commander directs that the headquarters of the Ninth Iowa and Eighth Missouri Cavalry be removed to Austin. Please direct Colonel Geiger accordingly.
J. R. WEST, Brigadier-General.
LITTLE Rook, ARK., September 5, 1864.
If any of the troops from Saint Charles are at the Bluff send the Fifty-seventh U. 8. Colored by morning train.
By order of Brig. Gen, E, A. Carr:
Assistant Adjutant-General.
BROWNSVILLE, September 5, 1864—9.30 a. m.
General F, STEELE,
_ The common rumor throughout Shelby's command was that he
intended to go to Missouri. I captured a dispatch that somewhat confirms this, It was also confidently stated that General Price would
cross the Arkansas at Clarksville with 9,000 men and combine with