HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF CENTRAL MISSOURI,
Jefferson City, October 3, 1864.

Lieutenant S. M. WILLIAMS,

Commanding at Shipley's Ferry:

LIEUTENANT: The general commanding directs that you will not destroy the flat-boat referred to in your communication of this date unless compelled to abandon the same. You will take possession of the boat, and if compelled to fall back destroy it.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. H. STEGER,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF CENTRAL MISSOURI,
Jefferson City, October 3, 1864.

Colonel JOHN F. PHILIPS,

Westphalia, Mo.:

COLONEL: Your dispatch of this day at 3.30 a. m. received. There is no appearance of any enemy west of Washington reported up to last night. In the absence of any further information you better move south on to the Vienna road.

Advise General McNeil of your position if possible and prepare to co-operate with him, throwing small scouting parties out as you have heretofore done. I have sent the troops under Captain Parker to Bolton's Ford. You will find provisions for you at that place. Lieutenant-Colonel Crittenden is now well.

Yours, very truly,

E. B. BROWN,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

JEFFERSON CITY, MO., October 3, 1864.*

Colonel John F. Philips is directed to send light parties and citizens to the east of the Gasconade and obtain reliable information of the movements of the enemy. He will open communication with General McNeil, at Rolla. He will forward the inclosed dispatches by a small guard under command of an officer, who will be informed of your situation and directed to communicate confidentially to General McNeil. General Fisk with re-enforcements will be here to-day.

A. R. CONKLIN,

Captain and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

SEDALIA, October 3, 1864.

General BROWN:

Shall I send the citizen guards home and keep the Enrolled Missouri Militia and arm them with the guards' arms from the county? No ammunition; nothing to eat.

J. D. CRAWFORD,

Colonel, Commanding.

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*From brief in Letters-sent book Post of Jefferson City.

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