HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF SOUTHWEST MISSOURI,
Springfield, Mo., October 9, 1864.

Major MELTON,

Cassville:

Price is carrying out the conscript act. Collects all from sixteen to sixty with such arms as they can get. Look out for rations. If you can get corn meal and flour gel all you can use.

J. D. BRUTSCHE,

Lieutenant-Colonel and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

SPECIAL ORDERS,
HDQRS. DIST. OF SOUTHWEST MISSOURI, Numbers 271.
Springfield, Mo., October 9, 1864.

I. Colonel John D. Allen, commanding Seventh Provisional Regiment Enrolled Missouri Militia, will establish his headquarters at Springfield, Mo.

By order of Brigadier General John B. Sanborn:

J. D. BRUTSCHE,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

HDQRS. SEVENTH PROV. Regiment ENROLLED MISSOURI MIL.,

Mount Vernon, Mo., October 9, 1864.

Lieutenant Colonel J. D. BRUTSCHE,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General:

COLONEL: I received a dispatch from Lieutenant Christian, of my regiment, stating that he with a scout of twenty-seven men and Lieutenant Hutchison, of Company G, ran on a bunch of rebels about twenty-five number, fifteen miles southwest of Neosho; killed 6 dead on the ground and wounded several others, capturing some 10 or 12 horses, 10 stand of arms, together with a quantity of household plunder, a negro woman and child. I am destitute of any reliable information. I have a scout out west who has not returned. Will be in to-day. As soon as they arrive Captain Morris will move immediately to Springfield, in pursuance of orders, &c. I will endeavor to keep you posted as to the rebels in this section. Please inform me, if you can, of the raid east.

Your obedient servant,

J. D. ALLEN,

Colonel, Commanding.

SAINT JOSEPH, October 9, 1864-9 a. m.

Major-General CURTIS:

Your guns issued. We expect a supply every hour; will send you some if possible. My scouts report Shelby approaching Lexington in force. Stores being sent across the river by post commander. If this is true he probably intends a dash in this direction. Can you help me in case of an emergency?

JAS. CRAIG,

Brigadier-General.