souri. The enemy is strong and meditates active aggressive operations, in my opinion. I hope I may be disappointed. At any rate, I trust we may be able to obtain a decisive success over him whenever we come face to face. I sent out 800 cavalry and 1,200 infantry, the latter on boats up White River, to co-operate with General West in his last expedition against Shelby. This left me with an effective force of only about 700 men. I regret that Shelby was able to get out of the way of General West's force. Half of the force I sent was the greater part of the brigade lately at Saint Charles. General Mower's division has lately arrived at Saint Charles from Memphis. It will move up here, I learn, immediately. The Saint Charles force, Fourteenth and Thirty-third Wisconsin and Eighty-first and Ninety-fifth Illinois, will be sent to Little Rock to-morrow. A cavalry division commanded by Colonel Winslow has just arrived at Clarendon.

I have the honor to remain, most truly, yours,

C. C. ANDREWS

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

LITTLE ROCK, September 6, 1864.

Brigadier General C. C. ANDREWS:

Captain Howland was attacked on his return from Benton by a superior cavalry force and followed nearly to our pickets. Colonel Ritter, with 500 or 600 men, has gone out to see where they came from. I hope my scouts will inform me soon where Price is. I am quite well satisfied that he intends to attack or menace us here while Fagan and Shelby operate in rear. A deserter, one of Fagan's teamsters, who came in yesterday, says Fagan had 150 wagons and loaded with flour, bacon, &c.

F. STEELE,

Major-General.

LITTLE ROCK, September 6, 1864.

Brigadier General C. C. ANDREWS:

Dispatches just received from Lewisburg by messenger. Colonel Stirman, C. S. Army, crossed at Dardanelle with 300 well-mounted men yesterday. They moved toward Dover, where Jackman is with 100. The steamers reached Lewisburg. Captain Napier beat Witt: killed 7 and captured Captain Livingston and 3 men. Rebel cavalry are probably moving to Dardanelle to cross.

F. STEELE,

Major-General.

HDQRS. SECOND DIVISION, SEVENTH ARMY CORPS,
Devall's Bluff, September 6, 1864-4.45 o'clock.

Major General F. STEELE,

Little Rock:

The steamer Darling has arrived. General Mower, with one division, arrived at Saint Charles yesterday. His effective force about 4,000. He has twelve pieces of artillery.

Very respectfully,

C. C. ANDREWS,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.