Unknown to H. Z. Curtis, March 23, 1863

Maj. H. Z. CURTIS, Adjutant-General, Department of the Missouri:

MaAJor: By direction of the general commanding the department, 1 report briefly the location and employment of the troops in my district: One regiment of infantry guarding Pacific Railroad; one regiment ot infantry guarding Iron Mountain Railroad; one regiment of artillery, garrison of forts of Saint Louis; one regiment of infantry, provost and prison guards of Saint Louis City; at New Madrid, a fort and heavy guns, and one regiment of infantry; at Cape Girardeau, four forts and heavy guns, and one small regiment of infantry; at Pilot Knob, and operating from that base, Third Iowa Cavalry (part of a regiment), Third Missouri Cavalry, Tenth Missouri State Militia, and part of the Thirteenth Illinois Cavalry, and one battery of four guns, on the west side of Saint Francis River to the State line; on the east side of the Saint Francis River, General McNeil’s troops, consisting of the Fourth Missouri Cavalry, First Wisconsin Cavalry, Second Missouri State Militia, and one battery.

Two columns are necessary, one on each side of the Saint Francis, owing to the swamps extending along the river, every path through which is known to the enemy.

I do not believe any of the above troops can be spared, except, probably, the Fourth Missouri Cavalry, after McNeil’s operations are over. I say the Fourth Missouri, because the other troops are more familiar with the country.

The troops at Benton Barracks make a great show on paper, but they are parole! men and incomplete regiments that are sent off as fast as their organization and equipment is made. Appended are telegrams, showing necessity of operations now going on and need of troops in my district. Iam, sir, your most obedient servant, J. W. DAVIDSON, Brigadier-General, Commanding.

BARNESVILLE, March 21, 1863. Brigadier-General DAavIDSON:

James H. McChord, a painter by trade, and originally from Indiana, coming from Pocahontas, Ark., has just entered our lines. He left Pocahontas on the 16th instant, and crossed Current River some 10 miles above Van Buren. He reports Reves’ and Carter’s band to be about 250 strong, combined. They are now infesting the country lying between Doniphan, Greenville, and Martinsburg, and are principally engaged in enforcing the conscript law. Reves’ men are all dressed in federal cavalry coats. Colonel Greene, with 400 or 500 men (conscripts) stationed at Pocahontas.

Marmaduke’s force, including Colonel Burbridge’s regiment, is estimated to be 2,000 strong. His headquarters are now at Alton, Oregon County, Missouri, and his command is scattered along Spring River down to Batesville, Ark. Marmaduke is said to have six pieces of artillery.

Will send McChord, under guard, to Pilot Knob.

THEO. HARTMANN, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Post.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, March 22 [21%], 1863. General J. W. DAVIDSON, Commanding District :

General McNeil sends me dispatch to-night, stating that Marmastuke’s advance camped at Cane Creek, 7 miles from Poplar Bluff, last Wednesday night. He sent his adjutant, with 50 men, to reconnoiter on Thursday noon, but has not heard from him since. He calls very anxiously for my regiment to defend the crossing of Castor River, and tears the enemy may cut off his supplies and communication with this place. He says there is nothing in the nature of the ground to prevent this. Oane Oreek is south of Reeves’ Station.

R. R. LIVINGSTON, Colonel, Commanding,

PATTERSON, Mo., March 22, 1863. Brigadier-General DAVIDSON:

This a.m. my vedettes, on the Doniphan road, reported rumors of rebel cavalry, in large force, advancing from below Doniphan on that place. Report is confirmed by the statement of one Penny, a British subject, refugee from White County, Arkansas. Substance is, he passed, March 20, with three battalions and three pieces of artillery, under Burbridge, on the Pocahontas road, en route tor Doniphan. There are two companies west of Van Buren, at Eleven Points, 10 miles from Van Buren; does not know if it is part of Burbridge’s force; thinks not. He could learn nothing of the point Burbridge wished to strike. This is the force I telegraphed General Gray was at Pocahontas. My cvuriers, of large force advancing; they are in now, but start in a few moments. Enemy will strike either at Rolla or this point; doubtless here, as the other country has no forage. I have 200 mounted infantry and 18 cavalry. Ican rely on them. I will have three hours’ notice of their advance, and will obstruct the roads. I have everything ready, and, if pressed, will retreat to Strong Battery. I have every confidence in the command. On a false alarm to-day, they formed, mounted, in three minutes. They will sleep on their arms, which are good. I have dispatched ColonelGlover. The town, 1 mile from here, is encircled on the approaches by a cordon of sentries. Owing to last night’s heavy rain, I deem it impossible for artillery to be brought over the Saint Francis. I cannot learn their force. I will dispatch you at 12 m. H. L. McCONNEL, Major, Commanding Post.

HEADQUARTERS SAIntT Louis DISTRICT, March 23, 1863. Colonel LivinesTon, Commanding Cape Girardeau County : Has the telegraph line been started to Bloomfield yet? Send the following by express to General McNeil:

A regiment of cavalry has been ordered to Poplar Bluff, on the west side of Saint Francis. If Marmaduke comes up, keep yourself advised, and get in his rear, if possibie. I want you to reportif a road cannot be made to New Madrid from Bloomfield ; also from Bloomfield to Poplar Bluff.

Glover will command the column on the west side of Saint Francis, when it moves. The cavalry regiment leaves to-morrow, via Patterson.

J. W. DAVIDSON, Brigadier. General.

Camp AT BLOOMFIELD, March 23, 1863.

Bngadier-General DavIDSoN, Commanding District of Saint Louis :

GENERAL: I have the honor to report that from my scouts and spies I get information leading me to the conclusion that Marmaduke is not on this side of Pocahontas, if he has ever left Batesville.

Lieutenant Poole, who has been with a party beyond Pitman’s Ferry, found Reves, with his guerrillas, 12 miles beyond the ferry, acting as advanced pickets. Captain McClanahan and Lieutenant Poole each killed a picket, Poole getting his horse shot.

There are about 1,000 men at Gainesville and Scatterville, on Crowley’s Ridge. They are badly armed and scattered, in order to subsist. I shall beat up these quarters early this week.

I called on Colonel Livingston for help in the way of infantry. Finding soon that I would not probably need it, I notified him. I thought if Marmaduke crossed the Saint Francis in large force, while my movements of artillery would be impeded by lack of horses, he might cut off my communications with the point of supply, by getting between me and the Castor. I have now found out how I can prevent that. You will see the report of an observation of the road by which he must come. If he crosses the Saint Francis, my point is well indicated, and

176 M. O., ARK., KANS, IND. T., AND DEPT. N. W. ([Cuar. XXXIV

I can there hold three times my force. I have sent a company of the First Wisconsin, with a good officer, to repair bridges, culverts, and mend the roads, that we may get there with least possible delay when the time comes. If he entertains any ideas of crossing at Chalk Bluff, T will soon put an end to them.

I inclose you copy of report of Lieutenant-Colonel Pomeroy,* and

your obedient servant, JOHN McNEIL