W. M. Weer, April 8, 1863

Reached here to-day. Your dispatch ordering me to reconnoiter both sides of the river determined my coming here, as I could not do so, being on the south side. Have not received dispatches of 2d and 4th instant. I understand Orders, No. 27, Department Headquarters, is out, in regard to furloughs and muster; have not received it. Please give me instructious, as I am beset with applications. My party sent to Yellville, under Captain Derry, of the Third Wisconsin Cavalry, has returned to Carrollton; absent some days. They drove the enemy everywhere; killed some, took prisoners, and only lost 2 horses. The bands in that region may be regarded as having fled to Marmaduke. He learned at Yellville that Marmaduke was at Batesville, 5,000 strong. Two other parties are yet out. Union families are all leaving the neighborhood of Carrollton. Allow me again to suggest the moving of the Fayetteville troops eastward. Let them be stationed at Huntsville, Carroliton, Yellville, &c. Two companies at Jasper have held their own very successfully. Those troops know the by-paths. Their presence would aid and encourage Union organizations; as it is, their horses are dying at Fayetteville for want of forage, and doing uo duty. Colonel Phillips’ Indian and white troops are certainly ample to guard all approaches south of White River. J can assure you of an abundance of subsistence for animals. If the Second and Third Divisions move south toward Batesville, could I not move down the north side of the river? The force at Forsyth was the Nineteenth Ohio Infantry and two squadrons of the First Iowa Cavalry. I have now added to it the Ninth Wisconsin Infantry, Twenty-fifth Ohio Battery, and six squadrons of the Third Wisconsin Oavalry. The Second Kansas Cavalry, at Springfield, could do good service down the river. The Ninth Wisconsin Infantry was not paid last payment, because certain allotment rolls were with some other paymaster. They are suffering, and request a paymaster sent, ordered to pay regardless of these rolls.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,