W. M. A. Phillips to James G. Blunt, April 9, 1863
Oineinnati, April —, via Fayetteville, Ark., April 9, 1863. General JAMES G. BLUNT:
Main command here; force at Park Hill; post at Hildebrand’s Mill; Fort Bennett being fortified ; Captain Spilman with refugees, moving into the Indian Nation. He camped at Fort Wayue last night. Shall march below Evansville to-morrow; there I expect to get wheat or corn enough to give two quarty a day to battery and cavalry horses; feed ponies on grass; move on Park Hill to meet refugees; have issued orders and directions to farm in Cincinnati and Arkansas. ‘Troops at Fayetteville not able to move in this direction; have ordered them to fortify rapidly. Rebel scouts were pushing this way from the river before I came down; were driven back. Loyal refugees coming from
208 M. O., ARK., KANS., IND. T., AND DEPT. N. W. (Car. XXXIV.
south of Arkansas River and Texas. Have got wheat, and made 500 sacks of flour in two weeks, but will need supplies when they get here. Has the train started? I shall be on the Arkansas immediately.
Respectfully,
Colonel, Commanding.
Sart Louis, Mo., April 10, 1863.
Major-General HALLECK,
My DEAR GENERAL: I thank you for the order sending me to the
Army of the Cumberland, and for your efforts to secure my promotion.
There is a powerful combination of military and political aspirants in