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252 Series I Volume XXII-I Serial 32 - Little Rock Part I

Page 252 MO., ARK., KANS., IND. T., AND DEPT. N. W. Chapter XXXIV.


Numbers 1. Reports of Major General Samuel R. Curtis, U. S. Army, commanding Department of the Missouri, of action at Cape Girardeau and pursuit of Marmaduke, with return of casualties.


HEADQUARTERS,
Saint Louis, Mo., April 26, 1863-2.30 p. m.

Dispatch received from General [John] McNeil, dated 12 noon. Two gunboats had just arrived. Our troops in good spirits. General [William] Vandever left Fredericktown this morning with strong cavalry force to attack rebels in rear. Fifty miles to go, but will travel day and night. The firing heard at telegraph station, Jonesborough, has just ceased.

SAML. R. CURTIS,

Major-General.

Major General H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief.

SAINT LOUIS, Mo.,

April 26, 1862-7.20 p. m.

General McNeil telegraphs, 2 p. m., force Cape Girardeau that the enemy had ceased firing and seem to be changing position to renew the attack. Some of my re-enforcement had arrived safely by steamer. There has been no further firing hear at railroad station. Every moment admits of Vandever's nearer approach in the enemy's rear. Our troops are behaving well.

SAML. R. CURTIS,

Major-General.

Major General H. W. HALLECK,

General-in-Chief.

SAINT LOUIS, MO.,

April 26, 1863 - 9 p. m.

Another dispatch from Cape Girardeau to General Davidson, just received, ask the whereabouts of General Vandever, preparatory to a sortie. The repulse of rebels seems complete, as there is no new attack. Our long-range guns made great havoc in the rebel lines. Our loss is only 20 killed and wounded. The enemy may take advantage of the darkness to retreat before Vandever's cavalry arrives. So far we claim a decided victory.

SAML. R. CURTIS,

Major-General.

Major General H. W. HALLECK.

SAINT LOUIS, MO.,

April 26, 1863-11. 12 p. m.

I sent a small re-enforcement to McNeil last night, and the naval commander at Cairo sent two gunboats, which, I suppose, arrived there in the night. At 2 this a. m. General McNeil received, by flag of truce, a demand for a surrender within half an hour, signed, "By order of


Page 252 MO., ARK., KANS., IND. T., AND DEPT. N. W. Chapter XXXIV.