Today in History:

785 Series I Volume XLI-III Serial 85 - Price's Missouri Expedition Part III

Page 785 Chapter LIII. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-UNION.

the citizen guards, there are about 800 at Sedalia, 300 at Warrensburg, and 300 at Lexington. They have been ordered to gather up all the horses in the country and protect them as well as use them. I have no means of communicating with either Lexington or Boonville at this time.

A. PLEASONTON,

Major-General.

SAINT LOUIS, October 11, 1864-11 a. m.

Major-General PLEASONTON,

Jefferson City:

The progress of the boats is very slow, and when Mower's command can reach it is impossible to say. They left day before yesterday and yesterday. All efforts will be made, but my present impression is that our aim cannot be north of the Pacific Railroad. We ought to get Warsaw.

W. S. ROSECRANS,

Major-General.

JEFFERSON CITY, October 11, 1864-1.30 p. m.

Major-General ROSECRANS:

Your dispatch of 11 a. m. received. As fast as troops arrive here I shall push them up by railroad to La Mine bridge as long as Price remains north of the railroad, and shall be in position to reach Warsaw before he can. He will have to go south through Kansas, as he cannot subsist his forces through the western tier of counties of this State; they are so destitute, so I am reliably informed.

A. PLEASONTON,

Major-General, Commanding.

SAINT LOUIS, October 11, 1864-2.44 p. m.

Major-General PLEASONTON,

Jefferson City:

Captain Mayo telegraphs from Glasgow that Price with his main force is at Boonville fortifying; that they are conscripting every man and boy between the ages of sixteen and sixty in the country; that they captured all the garrison, and so on. I give it you for what it may be worth as to Price's movements.

W. S. ROSECRANS,

Major-General.

JEFFERSON CITY, October 11, 1864-4.50 p. m.

Major-General ROSECRANS:

Dispatch from General Fisk reports he was not able to get to Lexington, but is now at Providence, on the north side of the river, some distance below Boonville. Colonel Switzler is also there. I shall direct General Fisk to remain where he is and send his boats back for other troops, when he can be crossed to the south side as soon as the force is strong enough to do so. The rebels are in Boonville with eighteen pieces of artillery; have captured a steam ferry, and are pushing a force to the north side of the river. General Fisk states there is

50 R R - VOL XLI, PT III


Page 785 Chapter LIII. CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-UNION.