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ST. LOUIS ARSENAL, July 11, 1861. I hope Grant's regiment will be allowed to come. He and Marsh can aid Cairo and Bird's Point effectually by operations in Cape Girardeau, Scott, Stoddard, Wayne, and Butler counties. Bland's regiment (6th Missouri) will be with them. Wyman is at and below Rolla; Buell's battery was wanted for Grant. Department has not answered in regard to it. CHESTER HARDING, JR.,

Major S. WILLIAMS, A. A. G., Buckhannon.

A. A. G. Missouri Volunteers.

ST. LOUIS ARSENAL, July 13, 1861.

With cavalry on our prairies we could crush secession in our State within two months. The want of it has not only embarrassed us, but lost us the fruits of hard-earned victories. The rebel General Harris would now be a prisoner if we had mounted forces. Two regiments are needed. What may we do? Colonel F. P. Blair can explain. We hope to catch Harris in any event.

CHESTER HARDING, JR.,

A. A. G. Missouri Volunteers.

Hon. SIMON CAMERON,

Secretary of War, Washington.

HEADQUARTERS SOUTHWEST EXPEDITION,
Springfield, Missouri, July 13, 1861.

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SIR: I arrived at this place early this evening two or three hours in advance of my troops, who are encamped a few miles back. I have about 5,000 men to be provided for, and have expected to find stores here, as I have ordered. The failure of stores reaching here seems likely to cause serious embarrassment, which must be aggravated by continued delay, and in proportion to the time I am forced to wait for supplies. I shall endeavor to take every due precaution to meet existing emergencies, and hope to be able to sustain the cause of the government in this part of the State. But there must be no loss of time in furnishing me the resources I have herein mentioned. I have lost in reaching this place about four days' time, by the high waters in Grand and Osage rivers, which made it necessary to ferry them. The same difficulty prevented Sturgis from co-operating with Sigel in time to afford any aid. Please telegraph to McClellan and to Washington anything in this letter you deem of importance to these headquarters. Shoes, shirts, blouses, &c., are much wanted, and I would have you furnish them, if possible, in considerable quantities.

Yours, truly,

N. LYON, Brigadier General Commanding.

Colonel CHESTER HARDING, St. Louis Arsenal.

ST. LOUIS ARSENAL, July 15, 1861.

We have here Captain Buell, an old artillery soldier, who was authorized by General Lyon to raise a full battery-six pieces. He has 130 experienced men, and wants 20 more, with 110 horses. It is absolutely necessary that he should be equipped. There will be hot work here before the end of the month, and our three batteries (four pieces each) are now in the southwest. Send order to equip Buell and to raise his force to full complement. You are needed here. About 2,500 men, in three columns, are now on an

expedition to kill secession in Northeast Missouri. Our operations are becoming large.

Major General FREMONT, New York.

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

Copy of the following was sent to assistant adjutant general at Washington, to General Frémont, New York, and to Colonel Blair, Washington: SPRINGFIELD, Missouri, July 13, 1861.

My effective force will soon be reduced by discharge of three months volunteers to about 4,000 men, including the Illinois regiment now on the march from Rolla. Governor Jackson will soon have in this vicinity not less than 30,000. I must have at once an additional force of 10,000 men, or abandon my position. All must have supplies and clothing.

N. LYON, Brigadier General Commanding.

ST. LOUIS ARSENAL, July 15, 1861.

Have you received General McClellan's despatch of to-day? If so, what's your plan? Will aid you in any way, but think best aid is to operate as before indicated. Have you official notice that General Frémont is our department commander?

CHESTER HARDING, JR.,

General PRENTISS, Cairo.

A. A. G. Missouri Volunteers.

[By telegraph from Chicago, July 15, 1861.]

ST. LOUIS ARSENAL, July 15, 1861. Have despatched condition of affairs to General Frémont, and asked authority to take the field in Northern Missouri with five more regiments. Expect answer to-night. Will go down and confer with you as soon as I hear. How did you succeed with Harris ?

CHESTER HARDING, Jr.

JOHN POPE, Brigadier General.

[By telegraph from Cairo, July 15, 1861.]

ST. LOUIS ARSENAL, July 15, 1861.

I have received McClellan's despatch. My plan would be to start a strong column across Missouri from this point, leaving it well guarded; at the same time, advance from Cape Girardeau and Greenville, concentrating with Lyon, or Missouri forces, and drive them back. It would be better first to break up rebel encampment at Union City, in Tennessee, to prevent their crossing at Hickman or Madrid to get in our rear. All of which I could do if ordered by major general commanding. I must await orders. I have not been officially informed that Frémont commands us.

CHESTER HARDING, Jr.

B. M. PRENTISS, Brigadier General.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE WEST, Springfield, Missouri, July 15, 1861. COLONEL: General Lyon is now here with about 7,000 men. Of these fully one-half are three months volunteers, whose term of service has nearly expired the latest expiring on the 14th August. Governor Jackson is concentrating his forces in the southwestern part of the State, and is receiving large re-enforcements from Arkansas, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Texas.

His effective force will soon be certainly not less than 30,000 men-probably much larger. All idea of any further advance movement, or of even maintaining our present position, must soon be abandoned unless the government furnish us promptly with large re-enforcements and supplies. Our troops are badly clothed, poorly fed, and imperfectly supplied with tents; none of them have yet been paid; and the three months volunteers have become disheartened to such extent that very few of them are willing to renew their enlistment. The blank pay-rolls are not here; and the long time required to get them here, fill them up, send them to Washington, have the payment ordered, and the paymaster reach us, leaves us no hope that our troops can be paid for five or six weeks to come. Under these circumstances, there remains no other course but to urgently press upon the attention of the government the absolute necessity of sending us fresh troops at once, with ample supplies for them and for those now here. At least 10,000 men should be sent, and that promptly. You will send the enclosed despatch by telegraph to General McClellan, and also to the War Department, and forward by mail a copy of this letter. Lose no time in fitting for the field the three years volunteers now at the arsenal, and send them here as soon as possible. Call for Colonel McNeil's regiment of home guards to garrison at the arsenal; and allow him to organize, if for the regular three years service, if he desires to do so. It is believed that the remaining home guards will be sufficient for the city. Should it be necessary, their term of service can be renewed for a short period, for the purpose of a city garrison. The general is not aware whether Colonel Smith's regiment has yet taken the field. If not, he presumes that both his and Colonel Bland's regiments may be sent here without delay. You may doubtless leave the care of the southeast part of the State to General Prentiss. Should St. Louis be in danger from that direction, troops could easily be called from Illinois and Indiana for its defence. Moreover, a force moving on St. Louis from the south would be exposed to attack in rear from Cairo. Hence there seems little or no danger from that direction. Unless we are speedily re-enforced here, we will soon lose all we have gained. Our troops have made long marches, done much effective service, and suffered no small privations. They have received no pay nor clothing from the government, and the small stock furnished by private contribution is now exhausted; so that unless the government gives us relief speedily, our thus far successful campaign will prove a failure. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. M. SCHOFIELD,

Captain 11th Infantry, Assistant Adjutant General.

Colonel CHESTER HARDING,

Adjutant General Missouri Volunteers, St. Louis Arsenal, Missouri.

P. S.-Cannot Colonel Curtis's regiment be spared from St. Joseph? And if so, send it forward.

N. LYON, Commanding.

WASHINGTON, July 15, 1861.

The President is going in person to the War Department to arrange matters for you.

Major General FREMONT, Astor House.

M. BLAIR.

[By telegraph from New York, July 16.]

ST. LOUIS ARSENAL, July 16, 1861.

Have Captain Buell's force raised to full complement and equipped. General Pope will go to Alton to-morrow. graph.

Keep me fully advised by tele

J. C. FREMONT, Major General Commanding.

Assistant Adjutant General CHESTER HARDING.

WASHINGTON, July 16, 1861.

Major Hagner will call on

The arms will be sent immediately to Illinois. you with authority to supply your wants. War Department will advise you particularly.

General JOHN C. FREMONT.

LYMAN TRUMBULL.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE WEST,

Special Orders No. 18.]

Springfield, Missouri, July 16, 1861.

Colonel Brown's regiment (4th) United States reserve corps will proceed to the city of St. Louis, where it will, at the expiration of its three months term, be mustered out of service.

By order of General Lyon.

J. M. SCHOFIELD, Assistant Adjutant General.

DEAR MISS —: I have not heard from you yet, but make free to trust this to your care:

HEADQUARTERS RIPLEY COUNTY BATTALION,
Camp Burrows, July 16, 1861.

DEAR SIR: If there is any way to communicate with the governor through any person in St. Louis, please let me know it. I am advancing, and General Yell will follow me in a few days with 5,000 men. He will take posi

tion between Rolla and Ironton, and act as circumstances dictate. General Watkins will move up, sustained by General Pillow, and if proper energy is exercised we can drive the enemy north of the Missouri and into St. Louis in thirty days. You will please let me hear from you, verbally or not, through the person through whom this passes; and please send The Daily Journal for a short time to Doniphan, as it will be sent to me by my couriers.

Yours, respectfully,

M. JEFF. THOMPSON, Commanding Ripley County Battalion.

JOSEPH TUCKER, Esq.,
Editor of The State Journal, St. Louis.

SPRINGFIELD, Missouri, July 17, 1861.

SIR: I enclose you a copy of a letter to Colonel Townsend on the subject of an order from General Scott, which calls for five companies of the 2d infantry to be withdrawn from the west and sent to Washington. A previous order withdraws the mounted troops, as I am informed, and were it

not that some of them were en route to this place they would now be in Washington. This order carried out would not now leave at Fort Leavenworth a single company. I have companies B and E, 2d infantry, now under orders for Washington; and if all these troops leave me, I can do nothing, and must retire in the absence of other troops to supply their places. In fact, I am badly enough off at the best, and must utterly fail if my regulars all go. At Washington troops from all the northern, middle, and eastern States are available for the support of the army in Virginia, and more are understood to be already there than are wanted; and it seems strange that so many troops must go on from the west and strip us of the means of defence. But if it is the intention to give up the west, let it be so; it can only be the victim of imbecility or malice. Scott will cripple us if he can. Cannot you stir up this matter and secure us relief. See Frémont, if he has arrived. The want of supplies has crippled me so that I cannot move, and I do not know when I can. Everything seems to combine against me at this point. Stir up Blair.

Yours, truly,

Colonel HARDING, St. Louis Arsenal, Mo.

N. LYON, Commanding.

[By telegraph from Chicago, dated July 16, 1861.-Received July 17, 1861.]

I am again urgently solicited by adjutant general in St. Louis to take command in North Missouri. What shall I do? The forces are gradually closing around Harris. I think a vigorous campaign of a week will settle secession in North Missouri, and leave the troops at your disposal for other service. Please answer to Alton. We need arms much.

Major General FREMONT, New York.

JOHN POPE, Brigadier General.

[By telegraph from Quincy, dated July 17.-Received July 17, 1861.]

I am ordered to hold the Hannibal and St. Joseph railroad. I have three regiments posted along the road, in communication at the west with Iowa troops, for detached service and breaking up camps of rebels. I need better arms than the smooth musket. I have one regiment wholly unarmed in camp here, and can get no arms in St. Louis or Springfield. Can you send me Minies and ammunition?

Major General FREMONT, New York.

S. A. HURLBUT, Brigadier General.

[By telegraph from Chicago, dated July 17.-Received July 17, 1861]

We need specially, to fit out one or two regiments of cavalry, sabres and revolvers. There are absolutely none in this part of the country.

JOHN POPE, Brigadier General.

Major General FREMONT, U. S. A., New York.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE WEST,

Springfield, Missouri, July 17, 1861.

SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Special Order No. 112, from headquarters, under date of July 5, directing the removal from the department of the west of companies B, C, F, G, and H, 2d infantry, and of Captain Sweeny, now acting brigadier general by election of volunteers. The communication reached me yesterday at this place.

I have been drawn to this point by the movements of the rebel forces in this State, and have accumulated such troops as I could make available,

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