INDEPENDENCE, October 20, 1864.

Captain WILLANS:

Cool and steady. I am arranging troops so I can stand at Big Blue against large odds. blunt is about six miles in front of this place resting his force. I am in communication with General Rosecrans, who is at Sedalia, moving his forces down on Lexington.

S. R. CURTIS,

Major-General.

FORT LEAVENWORTH, October 20, 1864-3 p. m.

Major-General CURTIS:

Captain Zesch's company of about fifty men and the four pieces of artillery I have just got ready, and forty horses; all of which will leave on the Grant within half an hour.

W. H. STARK,

Lieutenant-Colonel and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

KANSAS CITY, October 20, 1864.

Major-General CURTIS:

The Times of yesterday, in large capitals, says that Price is south of the Arkansas escaping. The same sort of talk is being made in Lawrence, and at the camp at Shawnee. It is doing much harm. If there is any danger, it is easy to learn who are the parties doing the mischief.

HAWKINS TAYLOR.

SPECIAL FIELD HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE BORDER,

ORDER.
Camp near Independence, October 20, 1864.

C. C. Hutchinson, U. S. Indian agent, is authorized, under general order proclaiming martial law, to raise a company of Indians from friendly tribes, to report by letter or otherwise to these headquarters for special service.

By command of Major-General Curtis:

C. S. CHARLOT,

Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.

NINE MILES EAST OF INDEPENDENCE,

October 20, 1864-8 a. m.

Major-General CURTIS:

I shall fall back west of the Little Blue and halt at the first good position that I can find forage, and wait orders. Subsistence and ammunition must be sent forward to me without delay. My ammunition train is with Colonel Blair; also all transportation is with Blair. From a small boy of Shelby's command, whom I have prisoner, I learn that Price brought about 20,000 men with him into the State, and has procured