Eugene A. Carr to Carr, September 4, 1864
(Received 6 p. m.) General CARR: I have the honor to transmit the following: AUSTIN, September 4, 1864—10 a. m. General Carr:
Your dispatch of September 2 reached me at Bull Bayou at 7.30 this morning. I had not then over 1,000 cavalry capable of marching to Batesville, and no artillery horses that would answer. I have returned here. Shall leave at this point Eighth Missouri, Ninth Iowa, and Tenth Illinois, and recommend that the entire [force] of those three regiments be stationed here for some time. If they are not to remain please send 3,500 rations, bread, coffee, sugar, and salt, to them to-morrow. If they are to be stationed here, send 10,000 full rations, half only of bacon, starting some to-morrow. The Third Michigan goes to Brownsville, the Eleventh Missouri to Devall’s Bluff, the cavalry from Little Rock will return there. Please have the morning train wait until I can reach Brownsville at noon to-morrow. Iremained at Grand Glaize until 10 a.m. September 1. My scouts left Augusta Landing at sundown August 31. Asno boats had then reached that point I despaired of any cooperation on the river. With 1,800 men and two pieces of artillery I was not strong enough to cross at Batesville, and overtaking Shelby, unless he chose that I should do so, was out of the question. J. R. WEST, Brigadier-General.
I can supply the 3,500 rations from this post, if necessary, but could not do more. I sent twenty men across Bayou Metoe south this morning, who proceeded to a point eighteen miles distant from here. On their return they were ambushed at a place where flanking was impossible, and 2 men killed, 2 or 3 captured. The attacking force is thought to number forty. Have sent to ascertain further. No evidence of any considerable force in that direction.
G. MOYERS, Ineutenant-Colonel, Commanding.
LITTLE Rock, ARK., September 4, 1864—9 p.m.
Brig. Gen. J. R. WEST, Commanding Expedition. Carry out your programme as indicated in your dispatch of this date from Austin.
By order of Brig. Gen. E. A. Carr:
Assistant Adjutant-General.
MEMPHIS, TENN., September 4, 1864.
Major-General HALLECK,
I am satisfied that a large raid is on foot, to be led by Price, Marmaduke, and Shelby. They will have 10,000 or 12,000 men, all mounted.
My scouts inform me that six days ago Shelby had returned to Batesville,
after a successful raid on the railroad between Devall's Bluff and Little