sufficient force, including organized citizens now in Keokuk, to repel any attack of guerrillas. There are no troops that can be possibly sent you. The department is badly off in that respect, and two regiments are now under orders to leave if for the South. The major-general commanding will immediately detail a general officer to go to the Southern Iowa border.

I have the honor to be, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. F. MELINE,

Major and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

[Inclosure.]

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF IOWA, Davenport, Iowa, October 21, 1864.

Major J. F. MELINE,
Actg. Asst. Adjt. General, Dept. of the Northwest, Milwaukee, Wis.:

MAJOR: Yours of the 19th instant, inclosing the latter of J. M. Hiatt, mayor of Keokuk, relative to the troubles on the southern border of Iowa, and directing me to ascertain facts in the case, has just been received. I at once consulted with Adjutant-General Baker in regard to the matter. I at once consulted is that the militia, if they organize themselves, are fully able to protect their border. I received from General Baker a statement of the strength of the militia in the southern tier of counties of this State; also the number of companies armed, &c., which I have the honor to transmit herewith. It seems to me that the militia which have received arms in these southern counties, if they have anything like an organization, should be fully able to protect their border. General Baker also informs me that the force of organized and armed militia in the next tier of counties is still stronger than in the counties reported. General Baker is forwarding arms and ammunition to the southern counties daily. Although General Baker thinks the force of organized and armed militia in the next tier of counties is still stronger than in the counties reported. General Baker is forwarding arms and ammunition to the southern counties daily. Although General Baker is forwarding arms and ammunition to the southern counties daily. Although General Baker thinks the force strong enough, he is anxious that I should go down and examine into the matter personally, but as I was on the court-martial here I did not feel at liberty to go without distinct orders. Please instruct me if I shall go to Keokuk. I will inform you by telegraph if anything of importance happens.

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

EDWARD P. TEN BROECK,

Major Sixth Iowa Cavalry, in Charge of Hdqrs. Dist. of Iowa.

[Sub-inclosure.]

List showing the organization, &c., of the State militia in the southern tier of counties of the State of Iowa, October 21, 1864.

Counties Number of Number of Number of

arms. companies. companies

armed.

Lee 1,056 25 12

Van Buren 503 234 9

Davis 304 16 4

Appanoose 188 17 3

Wayne 203 11 2

Decatur 247 13 2

Ringgold 170 6 3

Taylor 104 4 1

Page 219 5 2

Fremont 347 6 5

3,336 123 43

EDWARD P. TEN BROECK,

Major Sixth Iowa Cavalry, in Charge of Hdqrs. Dist. of Iowa.