W. M. Weer to Francis J. Herron, April 13, 1863

Maj. Gen. F. J. HERRON, Oommanding Army of the Frontier :

I have in my camp prisoners captured and deserters from Little Rock, Texas, Bragg’s army, and Marmaduke’s. The sum of the information furnished is as follows: In Texas every one available is being conscripted. Marmaduke has moved to Pocahontas. Price is to be there on the 15th instant. Missouri is to be invaded in its eastern portion. At Little Rock are twenty rey iments of infantry, averaging about 400 each. A battery was sent to Marmaduke about the 20th of March. At Pine Bluff is a large force, under McOulloch. The Missourians at Vicks burg are to join Price at Pocahontas. The rebels are badly pushed for subsistence, so far as I can understand. I can find nothing worth mentioning. My command has spread terror through the whole country. Allow me again to suggest that an offensive movement on our part will prevent an invasion of Missouri. If this movement be not correct, the enemy is manufacturing a well-planned lie. It requires my utmost efforts to forage this small command. I could do it far easier, ané watch the enemy at the same time, if close up to their front. Let me beg you, general, to attend to the matter of paying off the Ninth Wis. consin Infantry. Its claims in this behalf are certainly meritorious.

Respectfully,