M. La Rue Harrison to Ourtis, April 23, 1863

General OURTIS: Can we be re-enforced, and that immediately? We can never hole this place without artillery and horses. There is no use in disguising the fact. Last night I was positive that Cabell and the Fort Smith In. dians had combined to attack me at daylight. My men stood under arms from midnight until after sunrise. Such an attack is brewing, and will come in force in afew days. We have no stores here; we have nothing to eat, and cannot get our trains, with good luck, till the 28th. Must we starve, and then have all the conscripts surrender to an overwhelming force, that will shoot them as deserters? We haul forage 45 miles, and weaken our command by large escorts. We can make no reconnaissances nor scouts for want of horses, and could not protect our rear and flanks inaretreat. The enemy are splendidly mounted. The men are brave, and have achieved a splendid victory, but we must have help or fall back. Answer immediately what I shall do. Colonel Phillips is about 90 miles from here, and of no use to us in case of an attack from Fort Smith. I should have to face the enemy’s artillery all the way to get there.

M. LA RUE HARRISON,