Unknown, January 3, 1863

General Grant has ordered all my force now at Columbus to Memphis. This strips the country about Cairo and New Madrid, leaving no reserve in this region. Genera] Davies has stripped everything, got all I could spare for temporary purposes, taken my garrison from New Madrid, and then stopped a regiment I sent to resume New Madrid. General Grant cannot be apprised of these facts. Please check matters. At Columbus they need something. SAML. R. CURTIS, Major-General.

Wak DEPARTMENT, Washington, January 3, 1863. Major-General CurTIs, Saint Louis, Mo.:

General Grant wants the regiment of heavy artillery at Saint Louis to hold the points on the Mississippi River while he sends more reenforcements to Vicksburg. Can you not spare them for.that purpose ? There seems little necessity now for much force in Saint Louis.