INDEPENDENCE, January 17, 1865.

Colonel HARDING:

I have just got in. My men are all well, but one of Company D had a congestive chill. I found no considerable force of bushwhackers, not above a half dozen. Could not overtake those I did see. Will make a full report in writing on in person soon. Will be up Thursday, and will be able to make some suggestions that will be worthy of consideration. Captain Ogle and the adjutant have arrived.

Your, truly,

B. K. DAVIS,

Major, Commanding.

P. S. - Please signify if you wish to see me sooner than Thursday.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. DISTRICT OF NORTH MISSOURI, Numbers 12.
Macon, Moc., January 17, 1865.

* * * *

IV. Company D, Sixty-ninth Regiment Enrolled Missouri Militia, commanded by Captain H. J. Lewis, is hereby relieved from active service. Captain Lewis will not transfer the ordnance and ordnance stores of his company until otherwise ordered by competent authority.

By order of Brigadier General Clinton B. Fisk:

W. T. CLARKE,
First Lieutenant, Aide-de-Camp, and Actg. Asst. Adjt. General

OLATHE, January 17, 1865.

Captain HAMPTON,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Paola:

Eight bushwhackers were in Little Santa Fe and Oxford yesterday, according to information.

W. F. GOBLE,

Lieutenant and Assistant Provost-Marshal.

EXECUTIVE OFFICE,

Omaha, January 17, 1865. (Received 2. 50 a. m. 18th.)

Honorable e. M. STANTON, Secretary of War:

I send herewith a copy of joint resolution passed this day by unanimous vote of legislative assembly. The case is urgent.

ALVIN SAUNDERS,

Governor of Nebraska.

[Inclosure.]

JOINT RESOLUTION AND MEMORIAL for the creation of the Department of the Plains.

Resolved by the Council and House of Representatives of the Territory of Nebraska, That the honorable Secretary of War be, and he is hereby, respectfully requested to create at once a special department, to be designated the Department of the Plains, embracing this together with Colorado, Montana, and Utah Territories, all to be under the control of one competent officer, who shall be charged with the responsibility of protecting the overland commerce, telegraph line, and mail transportation.