HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI,
Saint Louis, January 6, 1862.

Brigadier General J. M. PALMER,

Commanding Officer at Otterville:

Four hundred rebels, under Poindexter, are seeking to make their way from vicinity of Renick across the river at Glasgow or Brunswick. Send messenger to Glasgow and Fayette, with directions to our forces to intercept them and scout the country.

H. W. HALLECK,

Major-General.

GENERAL ORDERS,
HEADQUARTERS SAINT LOUIS DISTRICT, Numbers 1.
Saint Louis, Mo., January 6, 1862.

In obedience to orders from the headquarters of the Department of the Missouri, the undersigned enters upon the command of the Saint Louis District, which will include the country bounded by the Missouri, Mississippi, and Meramec rivers, including the line of the railroad from Pacific to Rolla as far as Lindsey's Station and a line drawn through that point from the mouth of the Osage River to the Meramec River, except the camp of instruction at Benton Barracks.

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SCHUYLER HAMILTON,

Brigadier-General, U. S. Volunteers.

ROLLA, January 7, 1862.

Captain J. C. KELTON:

My cavalry entered Marshfield, 22 miles from Springfield, yesterday. Found no rebel force, and fell back to Colonel Carr's camp at Widow Stark's, on Gasconade, near main road to Lebanon. Will direct for few days' rest at Lebanon. Weather too severe to operate. Will dispense with hospital, as directed by the general. It was to be rough and plain, and much needed. Real sick cannot go in cars, and convalescents will here I will send many forward.

SAML. R. CURTIS,

Brigadier-General.

GENERAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. SOUTHWESTERN DIST. OF MO., Numbers 2.
Rolla, Mo., January 8, 1862.

This district and my command is modified so as to conform to the modification presented in the following extract from Orders, Numbers 14, present series, from headquarters Department of the Missouri.

The District of Saint Louis, under command of Brigadier General S. Hamilton, will include the country bounded by the Missouri, Mississippi, and Meramec Rivers including the line of the railroad from Pacific to rolla as far as Lindsey's Station and a line drawn from that point to the mouth of the Osage, with the exception of the camp of instruction at Benton Barracks.

SAML. R. CURTIS,

Brigadier-General.