march back towards Ironton, with all the forces I can collect from your district, and hope you will join us as soon as possible, that we may take Ironton and then march on Saint Louis or to General Price.

Yours, most respectfully,

M. JEFF. THOMPSON,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

Brigadier General M. L. CLARK,

Ninth Military District, Missouri State Guard.

CAMP SPRING HILL, MO., October 11, 1861.

DEAR COLONEL: I march in the morning. The infantry are to be at Fredericktown on Wednesday night, and I will be with the dragoons somewhere in the neighborhood of De Soto. I will burn and fight back towards Ironton, and, if fortune will only favor us, I hope to take Ironton on Sunday, the 20th instant. Please hurry up the horseshoes, and let me know what has been done towards my little cannot. I have ordered a permanent post line established between New Madrid and Bloomfield, and have made great and radical changes in the different organizations and departments. If I succeed in the adventure I will completely relieve General Price, or be near enough to operate with him.

Yours, &c.,

M. JEFF. THOMPSON,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

Colonel M. H. MOORE, Brigade Quartermaster, Memphis, Tenn.

CAMP SPRING HILL, PIKETON, MO.,

October 11, 1861 - 5 p. m.

SIR: I march from here in the morning. I expect to be at the tunnel, on the Iron Mountain Railroad, on Wednesday night, with my dragoons, and my infantry is to be at Fredericktown on the same night. My soldiers from Mississippi and New Madrid Counties are very anxious about the safety of their homes, but I tell them they can rely upon your protecting them.

Yours, most respectfully,

M. JEFF. THOMPSON,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

General A. S. JOHNSTON, C. S. A., Columbus, Ky.

HDQRS. FIRST MILITARY DISTRICT MO. S. G.,
Camp Smith, Saint Francois County,

Tuesday, October 15, 1861 - 6 p. m.

DEAR SIR: My men being more anxious to fight then I anticipated, traveled so fast that I reached the Big River Bridge, near Blackwell Station, two days ahead of my appointed time (Wednesday night), having reached there at daybreak this morning. I sent a portion of the Second Regiment Dragoons around to make the attack upon a stone redoubt which the enemy had built on the north side of the bridge, and a potion of the Third Regiment advanced upon the railroad from