ment has been made by a request of General Grant.* I hope you will approve. My instructions were full of caution, and will be pursued. Further information from General Bluff informs me that Marmaduke retreated to Van Buren, where he joined Hindman, their joint force being about 20,000. Blunt took two pieces of disabled artillery. He remains at Cane Hill.

SAML. R. CURTIS,

Major-General, Commanding.

[DECEMBER 2-4, 1862.-For Halleck to Curtis, and reply in reference to proposed expedition down the Mississippi, see Series I, Vol. XVII, Part II, pp. 376, 383.]

HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION ARMY OF THE FRONTIER,
Cane Hill, Ark., December 2, 1862-9 a. m.

Major General SAMUEL R. CURTIS,

Commanding Department of the Missouri:

GENERAL: My scouts just arrived report Hindman and Marmaduke concentrating their forces, 25,000 strong, at Lee's Creek, 25 miles from this place on the route to Van Buren, and 15 miles from the latter place, and I expect an attack to-morrow morning, but shall not abandon my position without a fight. I have requested General Totten to re-enforce me by forced marches on the Fayetteville road, but I have no knowledge of his present locality, and have got to hunt him up.

Respectfully,

JAS. G. BLUNT,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION, ARMY OF THE FRONTIER,
Cane Hill, Ark., December 2, 1862-9 a. m.

Brigadier General JAMES TOTTEN,

Commanding Second and Third Divisions, Army of the Frontier:

GENERAL: Hindman and Marmaduke are concentrating their whole force 25,000 strong, at Lee's Creek, 25 miles from this place, on the route to Van Buren, and 15 miles from the latter place, and in my opinion intend advancing upon me here. I desire you to move as much of your force as possible, especially the infantry, to my support, as I do not intend to leave this position without a fight. You should move by forced marches via Fayetteville, and keep me constantly advised of your position and movements. Answer by telegraph to Elkhorn as soon as you receive this.

JAS. G. BLUNT,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. CENTRAL DISTRICT OF MISSOURI, Numbers 58.
Jefferson City, December 2, 1862.

I. The sum of $10,000 is hereby levied upon the disloyal inhabitants of Cass County, whereof the sum of $2,500 will be applied to subsist

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* See Series I, Vol. XVII, Part I, p. 529.

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