Fitz H. Warren to H. Z. Curtis, January 7, 1863

Maj. H. Z. CuRTIS, Assistant Adjutant-General, Saint Louis, Mo. :

Mason: I have the telegram of the general commanding, of last night, at 8 a. m. this day.

I immediately re-enforced Colonel Merrill with 200 cavalry, making his number of men 1,000. I.could not send more to do any good. I have here 150,000 rations, quite a quantity of quartermaster’s stores, just in, and a lot of contraband stock, which I shall defend.

Colonel Merrill was on their rear. They are said to have left Hartville last evening, and he was there at 6 a. m. to day and following them. He (Colonel Merrill) reports the column to be 3,000; others state it higher. They are said to have two pieces of artillery, but of what cahber I could not learn. All my trains arein. I had a foraging party of 150, with 50 wagons, out in Beaver Creek Valley, but they came in this morning in good condition. I also sent out a courier and hurried a quartermaster’s train which was due here to-morrow; they came in tonight. I have, with what came in this evening, only 50 mounted men. I can do nothing, therefore, but patrol and watch the approaches to this post.

respectfully, your obedient servant,