proper position. I wish to break up all recruiting camps the first thing. Keep ready, but make no movements except for reconnoitering.

H. W. HALLECK,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI,
Saint Louis, Mo., December 12, 1861.

Brigadier General T. J. McKEAN, Jefferson City, Mo.:

You will receive written orders (instructions) to-night by mail with the Thirteent Iowa Regiment. In the mean time embark the Eleventh Iowa on the steamer, with eight baggage wagons, a small supply of tents, ten days's provisions, and full supply of ammunition, and be ready to move as soon as the Thirteenth and my dispatches arrive; also have another steamer ready to-morrow for four companies of cavalry also sent you to-day. Use Sioux City and other steamers bounds up the river.

Is the river still navigable to Lexington?

H. W. HALLECK,

Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT SOUTHEAST MISSOURI,
Cairo, Ill., December 13, 1861.

Colonel RICHARD J. OGLESBY,

Commanding U. S. Forces, Bird's Point, Mo.:

Indications are that an attack upon Bird's Point or Fort Holt may be made to-night or to-morrow. Your wil therefore instruct your outguards to be extra vigilant. Send scouting parties out by the different approaches, and see that the entire command are kept at their posts-men sleeping under arms, with their cartridge-boxes filled. Information will be given the gunboats, to the end that they may be able to give all the assistance in their power.

U. S. GRANT,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT SOUTHEAST MISSOURI,
Cairo, Ill, December 13, 1861.

Commodore GRAHAM,

Commanding Transports, Cairo, Ill.:

Let no boats go out from there to-night. Keep them all fired up and ready to start at a moments' warning. Report how many transports, and their names, you have now in port.

By order Brigadier-General Grant, commanding:

WM. S. HILLYER,

Aide-de-Camp.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT SOUTHEAST MISSOURI,
Cairo, Ill., December 13, 1861.

Commodore ANDREW H. FOOTE, U. S. N.,

Commanding Gunboat Flotilla, Cairo, Ill.:

Information that I have received indicates the probability of an attack being made upon either Fort Holt or Bird's Point to-night or