it was supported by artillery. This does not look like running away, as the picket was on one of the roads I apprehend he would take to go off on. I have ordered a strong picket of cavalry to stand 12 miles forward, and I am trying to increase my means of gaining intelligence from the enemy, which is now very meager. The wheat is in stacks and corn on the stalks. To make it available is no small matter and a great tax on cavalry.

I wish we had some of that surplus of which we hear so much and see so little. My men are in good health and spirits.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

SAML. R. CURTIS,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

Abstract from return of the Southwestern District of Missouri for January, 1862.

Present for duty

Commands Officers Men Aggregate

present

Colonel G. M. Dodge's 86 1,625 1,863

brigade

Colonel P. J. Osterhaus' 79 1,915 2,200

brigade

Colonel E. A. Carr's cavalry 71 1,435 1,506

brigade

Brigadier General F. 50 1,100 1,558

Sigel's brigade

Brigadier-General Asboth's 53 1,363 1,685

brigade

Post of Rolla, Colonel J. B. 30 913 1,069

Wyman

Unattached 67 1,265 1,843

Total 436 9,616 11,724

Organization of the troops in the Southwestern District of Missouri, Brigadier General Samuel R. Curtis commanding, January 31, 1862.

FIRST BRIGADE.*

Colonel . GRENVILLE M. DODGE.

35th Illinois.

4th Iowa.

24th Missouri.

1st Iowa Battery.

SECOND BRIGADE.

Colonel PETER J. OSTERHAUS.

36th Illinois.

3rd Missouri.

12th Missouri.

17th Missouri.

Batteries A and B+

THIRD BRIGADE (cavalry).

Colonel EUGENE A. CARR.

3rd Illinois

1st Missouri (battalion).

4th Missouri.

FOURTH BRIGADE.

Brigadier General FRANZ SIGEL.

25th Illinois.

44th Illinois.

FIFTH BRIGADE.

Brigadier General A. ASBOTH.

2nd Missouri.

15th Missouri.

1st Flying Battery.

2nd Ohio Battery.

UNATTACHED.

13th Illinois.

9th Iowa.

4th Missouri (battalion).

Bowen's cavalry (battalion).

Phelps' Missouri Volunteers.

Dubuque battery.

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*The brigades are not numbered in the original return.

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+Welfley's and Hoffmann's batteries.