Cadwallader C. Washburn to Epwin M. Stanton, September 5, 1864

(Received 9 p. m. 6th.) Hon. Epwin M. STANTON, Secretary of War: General Washburn writes from Memphis on the 2d that Shelby has cut the railroad to Little Rock. Pine Bluff is reported captured and Devall’s Bluff threatened; that he is satisfied that Price, Marmaduke, and Shelby are preparing for a big raid into this State; that he has sent Mower’s division to succor Devall’s Bluff, and suggests that A. J. Smith’s division will pass Cairo in three days, unless diverted. What do you think of the relative risk of public interests by halting him a few days, say at Girardeau, or sending him forward at once? Unless he is urgently called for I think it would be wise to delay his movement until we see the result of Price’s operations in the State and this way. W. S. ROSECRANS, Major-General. MEMPHIS, September 5, 1864. (Received 7th.) Major-General ROSECRANS, Commanding Department of the Missouri : route for Maj. Gen. W. T. Sherman. He will have about 6,000 men. Major-General Mower, by General Canby’s order, will re-enforce General Steele with 4,000 men. He is already on White River. Latest advice from Little Rock is that Price, with a very heavy cavalry force, was moving to cross Arkansas River above Little Rock. General West is after Shelby, who is near Jacksonport, and I have 2,000 cavalry who will co-operate with West. The enemy is believed to be gathering extensive supplies at Jacksonport and Batesville preparatory to a big Missouri raid. It may be headed offif West is successful; but I am confident that the enemy is bound for Missouri unless headed off.

C. C. WASHBURN,