NEAR ISLAND Numbers 10,

April 4, 1862 - 8 a. m.

Honorable E. M. STANTON,

Secretary of War:

The commodore opened fire at 11 o'clock yesterday with cannon and mortars. Struck their large floating battery a number of times. Our scouts report it completely disabled. Also burned a steamer the enemy had sunk in Missouri channel. Will report from New Madrid to-night. Weather delightful.

THOMAS A. SCOTT,

Assistant Secretary of War.

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE SOUTHWEST,
April 4, 1862.

Captain N. H. McLEAN,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Saint Louis, mo.:

CAPTAIN: Men direct report Price, with infantry and artillery, went east, with intent to reach Pocahontas very soon by rail and water.

Six regiments of cavalry were moving east or north through Jasper last Sunday. The cavalry at Salem, Ark., were also gaining recruits.

Have sent to Forsyth and Yellville to ascertain the further movements of the enemy.

No signs of force at Huntsville and Fayetteville. If line gets open to Saint Louis I desire to confer with the general as to a counter move.

Respectfully,

SAML. R. CURTIS,

Major-General.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. ARMY OF THE SOUTHWEST, Numbers 134.
Cross Timber, April 4, 1862.

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VIII. The army in the field will move to-morrow, the 5th instant, in the order herein states, on the road northeastward leading through Cassville and thence toward Yellville.

Order of march.- First Division will move at 6 a. m., Fourth Division at 8 a. m.; Wyman's brigade at 8.30 a. m.; Second Division at 8.30 a. m.; Third Division upon the arrival of its trains.

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By command of Major-General Curtis:

H. Z. CURTIS,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE,

Washington, April 4, 1862.

Major General H. W. HALLECK, U. S. A.,

Commanding Department of the Mississippi, Saint Louis, Mo.:

GENERAL: The Secretary of War, with the concurrence of the Secretary of the Interior, has granted authority* to Robert W. Furnas and

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* Under date of April 2.

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