James G. Blunt to Samuel R. Ourtis, April 17, 1863

Maj. Gen. SAMUEL R. OURTIS, Commanding Department of the Missouri :

GENERAL: Recent telegraphic dispatches from Colonel Phillips (a synopsis of which was telegraphed you by my adjutant on yesterday during my absence at Kansas City) report that he has had two skirmishes with the enemy this side of the Arkansas River, completely routing them, killing their leader and a number of men, and driving them all across the river. Colonel Phillips is now occupying Fort Gibson with a portion of his command. The refugee Cherokees have arrived at their homes, and are putting in their crops. They are in fine spirits, and much pleased at the prospect of again occupying their country. Rebel forces on the south side of the river are guarding all the fords to prevent Union citizens from Southwestern Arkansas and Texas, as also well-disposed Choctaws and Creeks, from crossing over to join our forces. I have directed Colonel Phillips not to attempt to hold any position on the south side of the river, and to keep his forces within supporting distance, to prevent being attacked in detail by the enemy in force. It is quite evident that the rebels intend to make an effort to cross the river, and advance north through the Indian country. In my opinion their purpose is not to move through Missouri, but upon Kansas. This opinion is confirmed by information I obtain through the

Knights of the Golden Circle. I havea man who joined some time since in Missouri for certain purposes. He has been for some time with Todd’s band of guerrillas in Jackson County, and is well posted in the working of the order, and the purposes for which they are organized.

souri. They are all sworn to support the Southern Confederacy, and are secretly procuring arms, and are confident that Price will succeed in invading Kansas and Missouri. Recruiting officers from Price’s army are constantly arriving, and a regular correspondence by rebel mail is carried on between here and the rebel army. The planof Price, as revealed by these Knights of the Golden Circle, is to make a feint with a small force in the direction of Springfield or Rolla, while with his main force he will move up the Arkansas, and through the Indian country upon Kansas, while the troops for the protection of this line are diverted for the protection of Rolla. Thus, in addition to being the most desirable plan for them—for there is no State they would so much like to devastate as this—it is the most feasible plan; for, leaving Fort Smith with ten days’ supplies of rations, they could reach Fort Scott through a country well provided with grazing, provided there was no force to oppose them; whereas they cannot move a large army up through Arkansas, for the want of grass. Besides, there is nothing to attract them in Missouri, or supplies to sustain them, except the Government stores at the posts, which could be easily destroyed by us if necessary, while Kansas would furnish abundance of supplies after reaching her south border. We should not suffer ourselves to be deceived in regard to their anticipated movements. Whatever may be able to learn through the “order” I will keep you posted in. The telegraph should not be used in making mention of the Knights of the Golden Circle. General Ewing has received orders from General Herron to join his command with the Kansas troops now in this district. I shall retain them in my district unless I receive orders from you to the contrary, as I believe that all of them and mauy more will be needed here before long.

I have the honor to be, general, respectfully, your obedient servant,