SPRINGFIELD, MO., October 31, 1861.

Major General D. HUNTER, U. S. A.,

Commanding First Division, U. S. Troops, en route:

GENERAL: Since forwarding the dispatch of last night, duplicate of which is herewith sent, the general commanding has received more positive information of the movements of the rebel army, which is now, or soon will be, but a day's march from this place. You will therefore see the imperative necessity of moving with the greatest celerity, even if your command has to live on beef alone.

Please acknowledge receipt instantly.

Very respectfully,

J. H. EATON,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

[Same to Generals Pope, McKinstry, Sturgis, and Lane.]

HEADQUARTERS WESTERN DEPARTMENT,
Saint Louis, Mo., October 31, 1861.

Brigadier General B. M. PRENTISS, Commanding &c., Jefferson City, Mo.:

SIR: The major-general commanding directs me to say that you will proceed to organize and prepare for the field the four regiments of your old brigade, now at Cairo or in that vicinity. The necessary orders will be given to move these regiments, to this city of Jefferson City whenever Captain McKeever, assistant adjutant-general, is officially informed that these four regiments can be relieved by four new regiments. The regiments of your former brigade at Paducah cannot be relieved at present.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM McMICHAEL,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

Abstract from the tri-monthly report of the District of Southeast Missouri, commanded by Brigadier General U. S. Grant, U. S. Army.

OCTOBER 31, 1861.

Present for duty.

Infantry.

Commanding officer Troops. Officers Men

Brigadier General First Brigade 169 3,628

McClernand (Cairo and Mound

City.)

Colonel R. J. Second Brigade 80 1,910

Oglesby (Bird's Point,

Mo.)

Colonel W. H. L. Third Brigade 24 508

Wallace (Bird's Point,

Mo.)

Colonel John Cook Fourth Brigade 56 1,183

(Fort Holt, Ky.)

Colonel J. B. Fifth Brigade 90 1,991

Plummer (Cape Girardeau,

Mo.)

Total ................. 419 9,220

Present for duty.

Cavalry.

Commanding officer Troops. Officer. Men.

Brigadier General First Brigade 31 687

McClernand (Cairo and Mound

City.)

Colonel R. J. Second Brigade .... .....

Oglesby (Bird's Point,

Mo.)

Colonel W. H. L. Third Brigade 8 186

Wallace (Bird's Point,

Mo.)

Colonel John Cook Fourth Brigade 3 77

(Fort Holt, Ky.)

Colonel J. B. Fifth Brigade ..... ......

Plummer (Cape Girardeau,

Mo.)

Total ................. 42 950

Present for duty.

Artillery.

Commanding officer Troops Officers. Men.

Brigadier General First Brigade ....... ......

McClernand (Cairo and Mound

City.)

Colonel R. J. Second Brigade 15 248

Oglesby (Bird's Point,

Mo.)

Colonel W. H. L. Third Brigade ....... ......

Wallace (Bird's Point,

Mo.)

Colonel John Cook Fourth Brigade ........ ........

(Fort Holt, Ky.)

Colonel J. B. Fifth Brigade 10 257

Plummer (Cape Girardeau,

Mo.)

Total ................. 25 505

Grand aggregate, 11, 161.