the public stores there by the 10th or 11th instant. I listen anxiously for your guns. We are building a bridge-head at this place.

M. JEFF. THOMPSON,

Brigadier-General, Missouri State Guard.

JACKSON, TENN., March 5, 1862.

General McCOWN,

Madrid Bend (via Union City), Tenn.:

Construct levees of sand bags and earth around the two upper batteries and bail out the water. Do this immediately. Burn down that portion of New Madrid which affords protection to the enemy's sharpshooters. This peremptory.

Your dispatch by Captain Lewis received.

L. POLK.

UNION CITY, March 6, 1862.

General POLK:

The following by Captain Lewis 12 o'clock p. m. 5th:

General CHEATHAM from General McCOWN:

The enemy is drawn up, camped from Hunter's and

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and the bayou to the brick house on road to old encampment, and how much farther in the woods I don't know. I have a desperate conflict before [me].

I expect to be assaulted to-morrow or next day at New Madrid.

ED. PICKET, JR.,

Colonel, Commanding.

UNION CITY, March 6, 1862.

General POLK:

Colonel Vaughan is ready to start, but a very intelligent courier just in from Island Numbers 10, with General McCown's dispatch, reports it impossible to move an army from here to the island by the land route; the lower ferry, Stone's, is now about 300 yards wide, and water rising rapidly. The boat can carry only from 25 to 50 men, and on the other side of the lake the road is in very bad condition. Distance about 50 miles. There is no way of ---*.

ED. PICKETT, JR.,

Colonel, Commanding.

HEADQUARTERS,
Madrid Bend, March 6, 1862-12 m.

Colonel ED. PICKETT, Jr.,

Commanding Post, Union City:

COLONEL: The couriers is just in, and I hasten to reply. General McCown is now at New Madrid. He sent a messenger to Union City yesterday with dispatches to General Beauregard and one again this

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*Incomplete

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