C. C. Washburn, September 5, 1864

Maj. Gen. E. R. S. CANBY,

GENERAL: Your dispatch of the 30th [August] is received.* I had already anticipated and sent General Mower three days ago to re-enforce General Steele. General A. J. Smith with his division, 6,000 strong, will move up the river to-day. I have no news from Arkansas. Sherman occupies Atlanta, and his need for troops is not as pressing as it was. The War Department has been informed of the probable raid of Price, Marmaduke & Co. into Missouri, but I have nothing from Arkansas in regard to that move since I last wrote you. The truth is, I have to get information from that district as best I can. IL still believe that a big raid is on hand for Missouri, unless the move of my cavalry and Mower’s troops should head it off. Mower will remain with Steele until you order otherwise. Saint Charles has been evacuated by General Steele’s order. The troops that occupied it are of the Seventeenth Corps, and are fragments of regiments now with General Howard, who is anxious that they should be relieved.

your obedient servant,