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BOONVILLE, MISSOURI, June 18, 1862.

DR. HARDING: You have heard of us and our leaving Jefferson City on the 16th. We debarked next morning a little above Rockport, and had not proceeded more than two miles before we met their advanced pickets, and soon after their whole force. At first the secessionists made a weak effort, which doubtless was intended to lead us on to their stronghold, where they held on with considerable resolution, and gave us a check for a short time and made some havock. On moving forward, however, a straggling fire from the right and left made it necessary to move on with caution and slowness, and we reached the city about 2 o'clock p. m., where we were met by many people, under consternation from the erroneous impression that great violence would be perpetrated upon persons and property. I have been engaged more or less in removing this impression. I regret much that my proclamation was not published promptly, so that I could have had it here for distribution. I get no news of what is going on around us, but much fear the movement from Texas, and hope the subject will engage the attention of the general government. Keep McClellan advised upon the matter. I had hoped some of our Iowa troops would have been in this region by this time, but hear nothing of them. My suspense just now is painful. Yours, truly,

N. LYON, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF OHIO,
Cincinnati, June 18.

Have received order placing Missouri under my command. Will leave for St. Louis to-morrow. If more troops are needed telegraph me details of case. G. B. McCLELLAN, Major General.

CHESTER HARDing, Jr.,

Assistant Adjutant General.

JEFFERSON CITY, June 21, 1861.

Please telegraph General McClellan as follows:

"BOONVILLE, MISSOURI, June 20, 1861. "GENERAL MCCLELLAN: I have notice that Missouri is assigned to your command. This Boonville is an important point, and should have at least a whole regiment, with an advance post at Warsaw, which is a nest of rebels, who have massacred at Cole Camp Union men. These will permit the 2d Missouri volunteer regiment to concentrate at Jefferson City. I would have you send a regiment here with a large supply of stores.

Colonel CHESTER HARDING,
Assistant Adjutant General.

[By telegraph from Boonville-24, 1861.]

"N. LYON."

ST. LOUIS ARSENAL, June 24, 1861.

Hope to get off on the 26th. Think provisions now coming up will be enough for some time. About four companies more should be here. A force can go to Cape Girardeau; but an expedition to Pocahontas should be made with care. It might be cut off.

Colonel HARDING.

N. LYON, Commanding.

[By telegraph from Boonville-26, 1861.]

ST. LOUIS ARSENAL, June 27, 1861.

The interests of the government require that no boats ply along the river between this and Kansas City for the present, and you will notify the collector that no boats will be allowed to pass above here until further orders. Much confusion attends my train arrangements, and delay is unavoidable. Shall try to get off to-morrow, but am not certain. I want Colonel Stevenson to come here and take command with some of his companies. Schofield arrived this afternoon.

Colonel HARDING.

N. LYON, Commanding.

[By telegraph from Grafton, Virginia—27, 1861.]

ST. LOUIS ARSENAL, June 27, 1861.

How many troops have you in St. Louis, and how many do you consider necessary for its defence? Answer at once.

CHESTER HARDING, Jr., Adjutant General.

G. B. McCLELLAN.

[By telegraph from Grafton, Virginia-28, 1861.]

ST. LOUIS, June 28, 1861.

Have ordered three Illinois regiments to move to Cairo whenever called for by General Prentiss, who will look out for the southeast, and also telegraphs "No rebels at Bloomfield." Will not a movement from Bird's Point do the best?

CHESTER HARDING, Jr.

GEO. B. McCLELLAN,
Major General U. S. Army.

[By telegraph from Boonville-27, 1861.]

Sr. LOUIS ARSENAL, June 27, 1861. Colonel Stiefel's command and four companies 7th regiment arrived. Provisions wanted. Send at once to Hermann, by first train 400 barrels hard bread, 90 bushels beans, 3,350 pounds rice, 2,000 pounds sugar, and 600 pounds coffee. The rains are terrible. I cannot get off. Steamer goes down to meet provisions. Answer.

Colonel HARDING.

N. LYON, Commanding.

[By telegraph from Boonville, July 1, 1861.]

ST. LOUIS ARSENAL, July 1, 1861.

What is going on in the southeast? You sent me word that McClellan would attend to that quarter. He says I may have one regiment from Quincy and one from Caseyville, and Prentiss is authorized to call for four more regiments if he wants them. Cannot all these be put in movement to meet the danger threatened? See what Prentiss says and send word to McClellan. N. LYON, Commanding.

Colonel HARDING.

BOONVILLE, Missouri, July 2, 1861.

DEAR COLONEL: I hope to move to-morrow, and think it more important just now to go to Springfield. My force in moving from here will be about 2,400 men. Major Sturgis will have about 2,200 men, and you know what force has gone to Springfield from St. Louis, so that you see what amount of provisions we shall want supplied at that point. Please attend to us as effectually as possible. Our line should be kept open by all means. I must be governed by circumstances at Springfield. You will, of course, have due attention to the southeast. The State Journal is outrageous and must be stopped; you will take such measures as you think best to effect this. Our cause is suffering from too much indulgence, and you must so advise our friends in St. Louis. Colonel Stevenson must have pretty strong garrisons at the points he occupies on the river, and he must have support from other States as occasion seems to require. Colonel Curtis is, I suppose, on the Hannibal and St. Joseph road; rigorous measures should be shown the disorderly in that region. Our operations are becoming extensive, and our staff officers must keep up with our emergencies. We need here a regular quartermaster and commissary. Cannot something be done for us from Washington?

Yours, truly,

Colonel HARDING, St. Louis Arsenal.

N. LYON, Commanding.

P. S.-I cannot spare more than 300 stand of arms for home guards at Jefferson. I shall not be able to supply other portions of the State with the same proportion.

N. L.

CAMP CAMERON, July 2, 1861.

DEAR COLONEL: Please forward to Washington the corporate it in a department return to be sent there. to make a report to the adjutant general of movements Yours, very truly,

Colonel CHESTER HARDING.

General Orders No. 4.]

enclosed return, or inAlso, it would be well of troops in the State.

J. M. SCHOFIELD.

HEADQUARTERS MISSOURI VOLUNTEERS,
Camp Cameron, July 2, 1861.

The following troops, under command of Brigadier General N. Lyon, will take up the line of march for the south at 7 o'clock a. m. to-morrow, viz:

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The following troops will remain for the present at this place:

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The troops which take the field under General Lyon will be joined by a force of 2,200 regulars and Kansas volunteers, under command of Major Sturgis, United States army, at Osceola, Missouri. The united command will then proceed toward Springfield, Missouri. Colonel Chester Harding, adjutant general Missouri volunteers, will forward to Springfield the commissary supplies necessary for this command, in addition to that already in the field in that portion of the State. Colonel Harding is also charged with the duty of forwarding supplies for the troops that remain at this and other points on the river.

Special orders No. 1, dated June 29, 1861, from these headquarters, are so far modified as to authorize Colonel John D. Stevenson to retain at this post, or at Jefferson City, such companies of the 2d regiment as may wish to remain in the service for three years, but not necessarily in the regiment to which they now belong.

Such companies will be reorganized at once, and incorporated into regiments as soon as may be.

By order of General Lyon.

J. M. SCHOFIELD,

Assistant Adjutant General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF OHIO,

Buckhannon, July 5, 1861.

Communicate freely with Prentiss. If he does not need Wyman, you can take him. Telegraph to General Pope, at Alton, to give you a regiment; and to Hurlbut, at Quincy, to give you another.

Do not lose sight of importance of Cairo, and of its operations in Southeastern Missouri. Write to me fully.

CHESTER HARDING,

G. B. MCCLELLAN, Major General, U. S. A.

Assistant Adjutant General.

ST. LOUIS ARSENAL, July 5, 1861.

General Lyon is moving down from Boonville toward Springfield, Greene county, Missouri, with 2,400 troops. Major Sturgis is on the way from Fort Leavenworth with 2,200. There are 3,500 on the southwest branch of Pacific railroad and the line thence to Mount Vernon, beyond Springfield. In a day or two another regiment will be moved down. There is a depot for supplies at Rolla, the terminus of the southwest branch; another must be established at Springfield. All the supplies for, say 10,000 troops, must take that direction. From Rolla on for 60 miles the country is mountainous and barren. Teams have to take their own forage. It is absolutely neces sary that a large amount of wagon transportation should be immediately provided. Will you see that the necessary orders are given by the quartermaster general, by telegraph, to Major McKinstry, early in the morning?

General Lyon urges that regular quartermasters and commissaries be sent

him at once.

CHESTER HARDING, JR.,

A. A. G. Missouri Volunteers.

Adjutant General, Washington.

General THOMAS,

ST. LOUIS ARSENAL, July 5, 1861.

Order Schittner's regiment home. A boat will be there to-day to take them.

General PRENTISS, Cairo.

CHESTER HARDING, JR.,

A. A. G. Missouri Volunteers.

ST. LOUIS ARSENAL, July 5, 1861.

Just received despatch from McClellan, which may change order for Schittner's return. Will telegraph again.

General PRENTISS, Cairo.

C. HARDING.

ST. LOUIS ARSENAL, July 6, 1861.

General Lyon has sent Wyman's regiment to southwest. This, with the 700 troops now there, will be enough for the present. Colonel Wyman is in command, with instructions to keep open the line of communication, on which all supplies will be sent hereafter. General Lyon has moved down towards Springfield with 2,400 men, and Major Sturgis with 2,200 on the frontier. Sweeny is there, and at Mt. Vernon, beyond there, with 2,500, besides guards at posts on line. Marsh's Alton regiment is here. I will equip them. They will go to Cape Girardeau and be subject to General Prentiss's call in case of necessity. The Quincy regiment will go to Ironton, and thence to Greenfield. I will write particulars to-night. Think the force sufficient, and will not order more unless necessary.

CHESTER HARDING, JR.,
A. A. G. Missouri Volunteers.

General MCCLELLAN, Buckhannon, Virginia.

ST. LOUIS ARSENAL, July 9, 1861. Schittner's enlistment expires about the 22d instant. I want them for reorganization. The City of Alton goes down to day to carry Marsh to Cape Girardeau. He was delayed by want of mules, now furnished. Will you let Schittner come up by same boat after reorganization? I can send you a full three-year regiment made up of Schittner's and others, under good officers.

General PRENTISS, Cairo.

C. HARDING, JR.,
A. A. G. Missouri Volunteers.

ST. LOUIS ARSENAL, July 9, 1861.

Buell's battery, raised under order of General Lyon, needs equipment for immediate service. Will you authorize the muster? Very efficient company.

CHESTER HARDING,

A. A. G. Missouri Volunteers.

General MCCLELLAN, Buckhannon, Virginia.

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