HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI,
Springfield, Mo., October 2, 1863.

Brigadier-General HOLLAND,
Comdg. Enrolled Mo. Militia, Fourth Mil. Dist., Springfield, Mo.:

SIR:  The colonel commanding directs that you order all the Enrolled Militia stationed at Marshfield, Ozark, and Galena to march, with all their camp and garrison equipage, to Cassville, by the way of John J. Smith�s, on the Springfield and Cassville road.  These troops must move without delay, as a large force of the enemy is threatening Cassville.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

C. G. LAURANT,
Assistant Adjutant-General

SOURCE:  OR, Series I, Volume 22 (Part II), Page 592.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI,
Springfield, Mo., October 2, 1863.

Maj. A. A. KING, JR.,
Commanding in the Field:

SIR:  I am instructed by the district commander to inform you that the troops of Carthage and Newtonia (five companies) have been ordered to report to you in the field, and that, if you require more troops, you will order the two remaining companies of the Sixth Missouri State Militia Cavalry at Neosho to join you.  A force of about 400 rebels is now threatening Cassville.  The main body of the rebel force had not, at last accounts, crossed the Wire road.  Reenforcements are being sent to Cassville, where it is hoped they will arrive in time to seize the place.  You are directed to make frequent reports to these headquarters.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

C.G. LAURANT,
Assistant Adjutant-General

SOURCE:  OR, Series I, Volume 22 (Part II), Page 592.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI,
Springfield, Mo., October 2,1863.

Comdg. Officer Detachment 2d Ark. Cav., en route for Carroll Co.:

SIR:  The colonel commanding the district directs that, instead of moving into Carroll County, as ordered, you will march to Cassville without delay, and report to Major Eno.  A large force of the enemy is threatening that post.  You must keep a vigilant lookout on the way.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

C. G. LAURANT,
Assistant Adjutant-General

SOURCE:  OR, Series I, Volume 22 (Part II), Page 593.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI,
Springfield, Mo., October 2, 1863.

Commanding Officer, Mount Vernon:

SIR:  The colonel commanding directs that you march to Cassville with the Enrolled Militia under your command.  A large force of the enemy is threatening that place.  You will move without delay, taking your camp and garrison equipage.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

C. G. LAURANT,
Assistant Adjutant-General

SOURCE:  OR, Series I, Volume 22 (Part II), Page 593.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo., October 2, 1863.

Major-General SCHOFIELD:

Dispatches received to-day from Major Eno, at Cassville, confirm the reports of Colonel Harrison relative to the strength and movements of the enemy.  I have ordered the concentration of troops at Cassville.

Very respectfully,

JNO. EDWARDS,
Colonel, Commanding

SOURCE:  OR, Series I, Volume 22 (Part II), Page 593.

SAINT LOUIS, Mo., October 2, 1863.

Col. J. EDWARDS, Springfield:

Colonel Harrison reports a force of 1,200 rebels camped last night near Huntsville.  They are said to be going into Missouri.  It may be necessary to concentrate your forces to meet them.  Communicate with Colonel Harrison and get full information.  Concentrate your forces in time; meet and attack the rebels as soon as practicable.  Keep me advised of everything.

J. M. SCHOFIELD,
Major-General

SOURCE:  OR, Series I, Volume 22 (Part II), Page 593.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo., October 4, 1863.

Major-General SCHOFIELD:

Eight hundred rebels, under Brown, Ingraham, and Coffee, were encamped 6 miles east of Cross Hollows, the 2d instant, with one 12-pounder field howitzer and one rifled piece.  No communication between Cassville and Fayetteville for three days past.  I will have a train of quartermaster's and commissary and ordnance supplies of 80 wagons at Cassville in three days.  I expect to go down myself, and open communication with Fayetteville, and expel the enemy from the country.  The troops withdrawn from this post will be fully supplied to-day by other troops from northern and eastern parts, of the Missouri State Militia and Enrolled Missouri Militia.  Captain Hopkins came through two days ago from Fort Smith.  Reports Colonel Harrison had a brush with a force of rebels 7 miles from Fayetteville last Sunday; found them too strong, and returned to Fayetteville.

JNO. EDWARDS,
Colonel, Commanding

SOURCE:  OR, Series I, Volume 22 (Part II), Page 602.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo., October 4, 1863.

Major-General SCHOFIELD,
Saint Louis:

Major Eno�s scouts brought in to-day 3 prisoners, captured from Shelby�s command.  They report Coffee will attack Newtonia to-night or to-morrow.  I have ordered Major Eno to march to-night to Newtonia.  He will have 350 cavalry.  There are three companies at Carthage I ordered several days ago to join these at Newtonia.  I have ordered Colonel Harrison to move rapidly with his command after Shelby, leaving 200 men and one section of Stark�s battery to garrison post of Fayetteville.  One battalion Eighteenth Iowa and one section of Rabb�s battery will reach Cassville to-morrow at 11 a. m.

JNO. EDWARDS,
Colonel, Commanding District

SOURCE:  OR, Series I, Volume 22 (Part II), Page 602.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI,
Springfield, Mo., October 4, 1863.

Maj. E. B. ENO, Cassville:

The Eighteenth Iowa Infantry left here yesterday, and will be at Cassville to-morrow.  You will leave 50 men at Cassville and move forthwith by forced marches in the direction of Newtonia.  There are three companies at Newtonia, two at Neosho, two at Carthage, and Major King is between Newtonia and Pineville, with four companies.  Try to make a connection with him.  The companies at Newtonia and Carthage have been ordered to join Major King.  You will order the two companies at Neosho to report to you.

JNO. EDWARDS,
Colonel, Commanding

SOURCE:  OR, Series I, Volume 22 (Part II), Page 603.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI,
Springfield, Mo., October 4, 1863.

Commanding Officer, Neosho:

SIR:  Positive information has been received this day that a rebel force 1,000 strong, with three pieces of artillery, crossed the Wire road near Sugar Creek, marching toward Bentonville, with the intention of joining Coffee, near Pineville, and to attack Newtonia.  The troops at Carthage and Newtonia have been ordered to join Major King in the field.  You will also join him on the receipt of the inclosed order , and communicate this intelligence to him.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JNO. EDWARDS,
Colonel, Commanding

SOURCE:  OR, Series I, Volume 22 (Part II), Page 603.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF SOUTHWESTERN MISSOURI,
Springfield, Mo., October 6, 1863, 11 a. m.

Colonel HARRISON:

I have just received your dispatch of the 5th in relation to your moving up toward Pineville.  The enemy, if he does not divide, will be 2,000 strong; now at Carthage, and trying to go into Jackson County, but will be driven back, and will try to get out again into Arkansas.  That we must prevent.  Follow up rapidly in his rear and give him battle whenever you can.  I will leave to-day, via Greenfield, with three pieces of artillery and a column.  Colonel Campbell is at Cassville, and had Captain Stark�s ammunition.  I shall order him to try and get across, with a portion of it for Captain Stark, to go to Newtonia.  You will send a detachment from Neosho and receive it at Newtonia.  I will go from Greenfield, in the direction of Lamar, and hope to form a junction with you.  Keep me advised of your movements.

JNO. EDWARDS,
Colonel, Commanding

SOURCE:  OR, Series I, Volume 22 (Part II), Page 609.

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