HEADQUARTERS FIRST BRIGADE,
Somerset, Ky., December 31, 1861.

(Received January 4, 1862.)

Brigadier General GEORGE H. THOMAS,

Commanding First Kentucky Division:

GENERAL: I have received your instructions of 30th instant. Have heard of Zollicoffer's contemplated move to-day, but doubt whether he will mover towards Columbia; he not having had the courage to accept the invitation of my small force, would barely place himself in the unsafe position between our combined forces.

I have scouts out on the Harrison road, and as soon as he attempts to move I will be apprised of it in time to act in concert with you.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. SCHOEPF,

Brigadier-General, U. S. Voles., Commanding First Brigade.

Abstract from return of the District of Cairo, commanded by Brigadier U. S. Grant, for the month of December, 1861.

Present for duty.

Infantry. Cavalry.

Station. Officers. Men. Officers. Men.

Bird's 139 3,228 39 758

Point, Mo.

Cairo, Ill 176 3,819 43 874

Cape 54 1,298 11 230

Girardeau,

Mo.

Fort Holt, 67 1,346 6 149

Ky.

Mound 29 524 ........... .........

City, Ill

Shawneetow ........... .......... 33 923

n, Ill

Total. 465 10,215 132 2,934

Station. Officers. Men. Aggregate. Pieces of

field

artillery.

Bird's 9 212 4,385 6

Point, Mo.

Cairo, Ill 7 102 5,021 6

Cape 6 183 1,782 .........

Girardeau,

Mo.

Fort Holt, 3 106 1,677 .........

Ky.

Mound .......... ......... 553 .........

City, Ill

Shawneetow .......... .......... 956 .........

n, Ill

Total. 25 603 14,374 12

Distribution of troops in the District of Cairo, December 31, 1861.

BIRD'S POINT, MO.

8th Illinois, Colonel R. J. Oglesby.

11th Illinois, Colonel W. H. L. Wallace.

20th Illinois, Colonel C. C. Marsh .

22nd Illinois, Colonel H. Daugherty.

10th Iowa, Colonel N. Perczel.

7th Illinois Cavalry (battalion).

1st Illinois Light Artillery, Battery B,

Captain Ezra Taylor.

1st Illinois Light Artillery, Battery c,

Captain Charles Houghtaling.

CAIRO, Ill.

18th Illinois, Colonel M. K. Lawler.

27th Illinois, Colonel N. B. Buford.

29th Illinois, Colonel James S. Rearden.

30th Illinois, Colonel P. B. Fouke.

31st Illinois, Colonel John A. Logan.

48th Illinois, Colonel I. N. Haynie.

4th Illinois Cavalry.

1st Illinois Light Artillery, Battery G,

Captain A. O'Leary.

2nd Illinois Light Artillery, Battery E,

Captain A. Schwartz.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO.

17th Illinois, Colonel L. F. Ross.

11th Missouri, Colonel J. B. Plummer.

7th Illinois Cavalry (detachment).

Murdrock's Mounted Rifles.

2nd Illinois Light Artillery, Battery F,

Captain John W. Powell.

Campbell's Battery.

FORT HOLT, KY.

7th Illinois, Colonel John Cook.

28th Illinois, Colonel A. K. Johnson.

2nd Illinois Cavalry (two companies).

1st Illinois Light Artillery, Battery D.

Captain E. McAllister.

MOUND CITY, ILL.

10th Illinois, Colonel J. D. Morgan.

SHAWNEETOWN, ILI.

6th Illinois Cavalry, Colonel T. H. Cavanaugh.