Unknown to J. C. Kelton, December 2, 1861

E Cairo, December 2, 1861.

Capt. J. C. KELTON, Saint Louis, Mo.:

Inclosed herewith I send you a letter from Colonel Ross on the subject of winter quarters, change of cavalry, ordering a court-martial, &e.* I would respectfully call the attention of the general commanding to the subject of winter quarters. I received instruetions from General Fré- mont, whilst he was in command, on the subject. Under the instructions then received, winter quarters for the command here are being rapidly completed. I visited Cape Girardeau and gave such verbal directions as I thought would secure winter quarters for the troops at that place at a very small outlay. The cavalry complained of belong to General Sigel’s brigade, and such complaints have b-en made against them for their marauding propensities that I would recommend mustering them out of service. é

There seems to have been no provision made in the acts of Congress organizing our volunteer system for manning our siege batteries, other than to take companies authorized as light-artillery companies. All

these manifest a great desire to get their batteries, and do not like to remain in fortifications. In view of these facts, I authorized Lieutenant Powell, of the Twentieth Illinois Volunteers, an acting engineer on the works at Cape Girardeau, to raise a siege company out of the Missouri Home Guards that were on duty there. “T also authorized the commanding officer of the battalion of Home Guards—Colonel, now Captain, Murdock—to raise another company of cavalry or infantry from the same men, subject to the approval of higher authority. These men were at Cape Girardeau by authority of the commander of the department when I was assigned to this command. Most of them are Missourians, who could not return to their homes, and who could not.have remained at home from the first and remained loyal. ‘These companies are about full, and could be filled to the maximum, if authorized, in a very short time. They have never been mustered into the United States service, but are ready to be whenever authority to do so is given. I would respectfully ask to have this act legalized and these troopsreceived. They have already been in service some four or five months as Home Guards and under their present organization.

Since writing the above the J. D. Perry has arrived, having landed at Price’s, putting ashore a large amount of freight. J understand that the authority to do so was given by the provost-marshal of Saint Louis. There is great danger of losing our boats by making these landings, and all the Union men of this section of the State have been driven out by Thompson and his band.

I have ordered the captain of the J. D. Perry to disregard all orders to land on the Missouri shore between Cape Girardeau and this place, unless given by the commanding officer of the department or myself. Should it be necessary for freight to go to Charleston, Mo., it can be – landed at Bird’s Point, and go out by rail more economically than by any other route.

I inclose herewith report of Colonel Oglesby, commanding at Bird’s Point, just received.*

U. S. GRANT, Brigadier-General.