battery and a train of supplies arrived yesterday. General Van Dorn was expected, but had not yet arrived, and I do not therefore believe his force is very near, for I think at such a time he would most likely come a few days before his force . Price must therefore rely on his force. Price must therefore rely on the present resources, variously estimated at from 10,000 to 30,000, with about forty-two pieces of cannon.

I send you abstract of my effective force here, which foots up a follows:

Infantry.......................................... 9,585

Cavalry........................................... 2,510

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12,095

Artillery (including four mountain howitzers), fifty pieces.

I have the honor to be, &c.,

SAML. R. CURTIS,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

FEBRUARY 13, 1862-3 a. m.

As I finished the foregoing a brisk firing was heard in front, where the enemy in small force had attacked pickets, forming across the road and in the thick brush adjacent. I ordered up two pieces of artillery and fired three rounds, scattering them, and inducing me to advance my pickets to Hancock's, on the edge of prairie. After that all quiet during the remainder of the night. The Fourth Division is now moving forward. The morning is bright and the men move out again in good spirits.

SAML. R. CURTIS,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. SOUTHWESTERN DIST. OF MISSOURI, Numbers 84.
Marshfield, Mo., February 12, 1862.

I. The First, Second, and Fourth Divisions of this command will move forward at 7 o'clock to-morrow morning by the direct road, and camping near the head of Pearson's Creek, 9 miles this side of Springfield.

II. The Division, commanded by General Davis, will move forward at 6 a. m., following the road by Lesie's store and camping near Piper's farm, about 8 miles this side of Springfield.

By order of Brigadier General S. R. Curtis:

T. I. McKENNY,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

SAINT LOUIS, February 13, 1862.

Major General D. HUNTER,

Commanding Dept. of Kansas, Fort Leavenworth, Kans.:

GENERAL: Your very kind letter of the 8th is this moment received.* I must write you a very hasty answer to-day. You are entirely mistaken about my having received any information, official or unofficial, from Washington about the "great jayhawking expedition." Not a word or hint has been communicated to me. Orders were sent by General Thomas direct to various regiments in this department to imme-

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*Not found.

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