SAINT LOUIS, September 28, 1864-1.05 p. m.

Captain WILHELM,

Washington, Mo.:

Proceed to secure the steam ferry-boats at Washington and hold them till further orders. Report here by telegraph, expenses paid here.

W. S. ROSECRANS,

Major-General.

WASHINGTON, MO., September 28, 1864.

Major-General ROSECRANS:

I have seized one boat and all skiffs. The other boat gone. All able bodied men here and in this vicinity are being organized by Captain Amos P. Foster for immediate self-defense with such arms as they have.

JUL. WILHELM,

Captain and Adjt. Fifty-fourth Regiment Enrolled Missouri Militia.

SAINT LOUIS, September 28, 1864-3.06 p. m.

Doctor DUGGE, or

A. W. KRUGER, or

JAMES W. OWINGS,

Washington, Mo.:

Have telegraphed Captain Wilhelm. Lest he should not be there telegraph you. Rebel cavalry are at RIchwoods; will probably come to Washington to seize the ferry-boat. Have it secured beyond the possibility of being of use to them. Destroy it, if necessary. Have your people turned out to defend your town? Please acknowledge receipt of order and report.

W. S. ROSECRANS,

Major-General.

DE SOTO, September 28, 1864-8.47 a. m.

Major-General ROSECRANS:

All is quiet in this vicinity. The scouts I have had out report no enemy near. From all the information I can get I am induced to believe they are moving to the northwest.

A. J. SMITH,

Major-General .

DE SOTO, September 28, 1864-9 a. m.

Major-General ROSECRANS:

The army will be here by 11 a. m. I will then know what is between here [and] Farmington; also Potosi. I have ordered one squadron to remain [at] Pevely to patrol the railroad and keep a lookout in all directions from that point. We yet hold Big River bridge. No additional news of the approach of the enemy.

A. J. SMITH,

Major-General.

SAINT LOUIS, September 28, 1864-11.10 a. m.

Major General A. J. SMITH:

An officer reports that a regiment and two guns were at Mineral point yesterday, and are lost. Is there any truth in it?

J. V. DU BOIS,

Colonel and Chief of Staff.