W. M. A. Phillips to Will14m Hypdb Olark, April 11, 1863

Capt. WiLL14M HypDB OLARK,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Rolla :

I have cavalry posted as follows: Two regiments at Pilot Knob, two battalions at Batesville, one regiment at Patterson, and two regiments at Bloomfield, From these I have outposts at Centreville, Van Buren Greenwood Valley, Reeves’ Station, Poplar Bluff, and Chalk Bluff, and from these outposts the line of Black River is picketed. I send you this information, so as action can be [taken] and in concert.

DAVIDSON, Brigadier-General.

FAYETTEVILLE, ARK., April 11, 1863. Major-General HERRON, Commanding Army of the Frontier :

A man is here from ‘Little Rock. Lieutenant-Colonel Bishop knew him at Elkhorn last fall, and thinks him truthful. He says Price made his speech at Grand River on the 26th to about 8,000 troops. He saw three pieces of artillery shipped to Brooks’ command, which is at Ozark, for the ostensible purpose of attacking Fayetteville. He overheard General Fagan asking Colonel Gunter if they could subsist in Madison, Washington, and Benton Counties. Gunter said yes. Fagan says General Kirby Smith’s plan is to send the main army to Devall’s Bluff, and attack Weer’s division that way; then attack Fayetteville with the cavalry and some artillery. This man Says three men have told there in his hearing that our fighting force is from 10,000 to 12,000 men, which is about correct, as some are always out on scouts and for forage. I think a raid is intended next week, and have requested Colonel Phillips to assist in breaking up the Ozark command before he does anything else, but have no reply. You know our fighting condition. We should be re-enforced by some, at least till we get our own artillery and arms.

M. LA RUE HARRISON, Colonel, Commanding Post.

SAInT JOSEPH, Mo., April 11, 1863.

We understand that the Second Nebraska Cavalry has been ordered to cross the Missouri and report at Sioux City. If this order is carried out, it will leave the whole frontier of Nebraska, as well as the emigrants’ stage and telegraph to the mountains, unprotected. In our opinion these troops should be. left on the west side of the river, at

least for the present. ALVIN SAUNDERS, Governor of Nebraska. B. E. CREIGHTON, Superintendent Pacific Telegraph ‘Company.

Wak DEPARTMENT, Washington, April 11, 1863. Major-General PoPE, Milwaukee, Wis.: The President directs that under no circumstances will our troops cross the boundary line into British territory without his authority. H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief.

Hpars. Dists. W. ARK. AND IND. T., DEPT. OF THE Mo., In the Field, Camp at Park Hill, Cherokee Nation, April 12, 1863.

Major-General BLUNT, Leavenworth, Kans. :

Sir: We have swept this side of the Arkansas River clean. A considerable portion of my force holds Fort Gibson. I shall move the whole command there, except a small force to guard my hospital, which is here, and the people who are here.

212 M. O., ARK., KANS., IND. T., AND DEPT. N. W. (Caar XXXIV.

The refugees have arrived, and are greatly rejoiced. They are putting in crops.

Wehad two successful skirmishes with rebels; oneat Lindsay’s Prairie took in or destroyed one entire guerrilla company that has infested there. The captain and 7 men killed. The other affair was below the Illinois. The rebels attempted a surprise, and were badly cut up, the commanding officer being killed, and a number of his men, in their attack or while trying to swim the Arkansas.

General Steele is on his way to the force they are gathering on the south side of the Arkansas River. They are firing over the river at my pickets; drove a force out of Gibson. The fords are deep, and the enemy seems to expect to hold them. Every ford to Fort Smith is guarded, the purpose being to keep the people south of the river from coming over to me. I have had overtures from Colonel Drew, Captain Vann, and also from the Creeks. The enemy is nervous about my crossing the river, and I expect to amuse him in front while I take him in.

Respectfully,