HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF SOUTHWEST MISSOURI,
Springfield, May 2, 1865.

Major-General DODGE,
Saint Louis:  

Your order in regard to refugees received and promulgated.  We should have no trouble here with them if it was not for the unending stream of them pouring in from Arkansas and Texas.  In the vicinity of Fayetteville, and between Cassville and Fayetteville, several deaths from starvation have occurred of women and children the past month, as I am reliably informed.  As soon as the winter wheat crop matures this condition will terminate, and the issue of rations can stop without causing great suffering.  It seems that to stop the issue prior to that time will result in the loss of much life.  There are no guerrillas now and none have passed through since the party of fifty, nearly all of whom were killed, as I am informed, before reaching the railroad.  Another deserter from General Gano�s command has come and states that quite a force of rebels had been sent by Kirby Smith to Hempstead, in Texas.

JOHN B. SANBORN,
Brigadier-General, Commanding

SOURCE:  OR, Series I, Volume 48 (Part II), Page 295.

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