Unknown to Sheldon, January 9, 1862
Mouth of Abbotts Creek, January 9, 1862.
Colonel SHELDON, Commanding Brigade :
DEAR SIR: We have been here about an hour. We were attacked by the enemyâs scouts, who were lying in ambush at Abbottâs Gap, 1 mile back. Our boys behaved admirably. The enemy ran; we pursued. Took a musket and a horse, and have put the boys up on a hill in the woods to bivouac. The enemy is encamped 3 miles from here, up Abbott’s Creek, at a point called Copperas Lick. Our boys are very weary, but I think we shall move on before daybreak. Their cannon are behind, and they will have a great deal of difficulty in transporting them. We have now a better hope than ever of making them fight. I want you to follow us with every available man that the quartermaster can feed just as soon as you call the men up from their beds and get hard bread in their haversacks. Get everything in good shape as possible, but hurry, hurry, hurry.
A messenger has just reached me from Major McLaughlin, saying he has sent for re-enforcements. I hope you have sent them already. If any good men are left, send them to me. Now or never we must strike
Ever, yours J. A. GARFIELD, Colonel, Commanding Brigade.
SAINT Lovis, January 10, 1862. General MCOLELLAN:
Do you insist upon my withdrawing troops from Missouri for the purpose indicated in your letter of the 3d instant? If so, it will be done, but in my opinion it involves the defeat of the Union cause in this State. I will write more fully what I have done and ean do to assist D. C.