CAMP BELMONT, MO., September 30, 1861.

Colonel ADEN LOWE, Bloomfield, Mo.:

DEAR COLONEL: Since writing to you yesterday I have received orders to march immediately, and will leave this camp on to-morrow, to take my baggage to New Madrid, and, leaving all the tents and heavy baggage there, I will take my active and efficient force, and immediately march with me. You can leave your tents, or rent hoses for those who remain, and, by furnishing an abundance of hay and straw, you can probably have blankets enough for those who march with you. I propose to be at Sikeston by Wednesday at noon. I wish you to be at Sikeston by Wednesday at noon. I wish you to be ready to march by that time, and move up to Spring Hill. By that time I will have determined whether we will (I on one side of the swamp and you on the other) move direct on Cape Girardeaou. I will rely on you for 500 efficient men, and more, if you can have them. I propose a thirty days' active campaign, and hope will have effected enough in that time to retire on our laurels. Let me know at Sikeston, by special courier, the number and condition of your force, the quantity of ammunition you need, &c., so that I can send over to you all you need at Spring Hill. If we move separately, I will send you a battery of cannon. Write to me by every opportunity that is safe.

Yours, &c.,

M. JEFF. THOMPSON,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

Abstract from return, September 30, 1861, of the troops Division, Numbers 1, commanded by Major General Leonidas Polk.

Present for duty.

Infantry Cavalry

Troops Officers Men Officers Men

Columbus, Ky 545 8,788 53 816

Camp 193 2,668 ........ ..........

Beauregard

Union City 93 1,563 ......... ..........

Fort Pillow 38 858 ......... ..........

Memphis 132 2,230 ........ ..........

Trenton 48 916 ......... ..........

Fort Henry 48 816 ......... ..........

Grant total 1,100 17,839 53 816

Artillery

Troops Officers Men Total Aggregate

present present

Columbus, Ky 10 155 11,742 12,441

Camp ......... ......... 3,503 3,713

Beauregard

Union City ......... ......... 1,609 1,705

Fort Pillow ......... ......... 945 945

Memphis ......... ......... 2,230 2,362

Trenton ......... ......... 916 964

Fort Henry ......... ......... 816 864

Grant total 10 155 21,761 23,033

Troops Total present Aggregate present

and absent and absent

Columbus, Ky 12,930 13,708

Camp Beauregard 3,900 4,127

Union City 1,679 1,785

Fort Pillow 1,030 1,087

Memphis 2,230 2,362

Trenton 916 964

Fort Henry 816 864

Grand total 23,501 24,897

HEADQUARTERS FIRST MILITARY DISTRICT, MO. S. G.,
New Madrid, Mo., October 3, 1861-6 a. m.

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

DEAR SIR: I will be delayed forty-eight hours on my march by the want of transportation from Columbus to this place, but hope that I