James G. Blunt to Samuel R. Curtis, April 22, 1863

Maj. Gen. SAMUEL R. CURTIS, Commanding Department of the Missouri : GENERAL: I have information that some 2,000 or 3,000 rebels are collected on the Canadian River, for the purpose of making a raid into the settlement of Southwestern Kansas. Raids by advanced parties have already been made. Large herds of stock are being driven from the Indian country, in the direction of Pike’s Peak, by bands of them. The Osage Indians, on the southern border, are also becoming troublesome, and a part of them, no doubt, are allied with the rebels. I have not sufficient mounted force to meet the emergency. It is quite evident to me that the demonstration made upon Southwestern Kansas, as well as that made in Southeastern Missouri, is to create a diversion of our troops, to let the main rebel force come up through the Indian Territory, upon the border of Kansas and Missouri.

In my opinion there is not half troops enough in your department to meet the coming crisis.

The Knights of the Golden Circle are becoming bolder here every day. pel are evidently posted, and understand the movements of the rebel orces.

Respectfully, &c.,