HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI,
February 27, 1865-3. 50 p. m.

Brigadier-General MITCHEL, Columbus or Fort Kearny:

The nearer those Indians get to us the better. We must strike them as soon as possible. If the troops do not get up let Collins and Livingston combine and relieve them.

G. M. DODGE,

Major-General.

DENVER, February 27, 1865-10. 15 a. m.

Major-General DODGE:

Mail will be in to-night for the first time; will leave again on 28th. Is General Connor coming here to take command?

T. MOONLIGHT,

Colonel.

DENVER, February 27, 1865-8. 55 p. m.

Major-General DODGE:

Another heavy fall of snow. Am annoyed by dispatches and reports from stage company regarding depredations of troops on line; totally denied by officers in command. Do not believe such reports without referring to me. I send inspecting officer over route next month; consult Captain Robbins. Stage company desires to be worshiped. I believe all quiet. Militia doing well.

T. MOONLIGHT,

Colonel.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI,
February 27, 1865-3. 45 p. m.

Brigadier-General CONNOR,

Camp Douglas, Salt Lake:

Go to Denver, leaving District of Utah in charge of a goof officer. If you have any spare troops take them with you. I am moving up troops to strike the Indians before grass grows. Orders will meet you at Denver. What about the Indians on North Platte?

G. M. DODGE,

Major-General.

PRIVATE.] HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,

Washington, February 28, 1865.

Major-General CANBY, New Orleans:

MY DEAR GENERAL: Your private letter of the 13th is just received. Both Grant and Thomas asked that A. J. Smith be given an army corps before he left Tennessee. His appointment was, therefore, a foregone conclusion, but the Secretary left the organization of the corps to you. I think Smith deserved it, and that you will find him all you can desire in the field. I also think highly of both Steele and Granger, but General Grant found much fault with the latter in the West, and does not deem him competent for a large command. I know nothing of the cause of his want of confidence in Granger, but he said to me very emphatically, "Tell Canby not to give Granger any large command, for if he does he is certain to fail. " He used nearly the same language in regard to General Hurlbut. With regard to W. F. Smith, he refused