S. H. Boyd to Major-General CURTIS, March 6, 1863

March 6, 1863. Major-General CURTIS, Saint Louis, Mo.:

GENERAL: A young man (of Benton County), representing himself as a deserter from Hindman, surrendered yesterday. He imparts the following information: Marmaduke is just across the river from Batesville; his force is 3,000. Holmes and Hindman at Little Rock; strength, 10,000. Colonel Coffee was acquitted by the court-martial; is now in Missouri on recruiting service. A large number of officers and privates of Hindman’s army are sent to Missouri to bushwhack and recruit; mostly gone north of the river. Colonel Porter died near Batesville ;

Frontier, is at Mountain Store.

I have thought proper to hold Houston Post a while longer. Glover has sent all the wagons from here there, to call them in. If the Thira Division proceeds in a southeasterly direction, it appears warrantable in holding Houston as an important intermediate, &c.

General, I deserve your severest censure for furloughing some of my men without asking your permission. I confess my guilt and shame, and ask you to attribute it to my precipitancy of feeling in their behalf. It is the first act of my life for which I am justly guilty of disrespect and disobedience; it shall be the last. After and since doing so, I have undergone severe punishment in mind and feeling of no ordinary measure.

A great many refugees, mostly females, are here destitute. I am registering them, and think proper to notify the aid society of their wants.

very respectfully, your obedient servant,