HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI,
Saint Louis, December 23, 1861.

Lieutenant Colonel FRANK J. HERRON,

Commanding, Pacific City, Mo.:

Look out for bridge-burners. It is reported that concerted attempts will be made to destroy railroads and telegraph lines. Shoot down every one making the attempt.

H. W. HALLECK,

Major-General.

NOTE. -A like telegram was sent to the following places: Commanding officer at Sedalia, Otterville, Syracuse, Tipton, Jefferson City, Hermann, Rolla, Sulphur Springs, Mineral Point, Ironton, Chillicothe, Cameron, and St. Joseph.

SPECIAL ORDERS,

Numbers 14.

You are hereby ordered to immediately cause to be destroyed all railroad bridges and telegraph wires in your vicinity.

By command of Major General S. Price:

HENRY LITTLE,
Assistant Adjutant-General. *

HEADQUARTERS EIGHTEENTH MISSOURI VOLUNTEERS,

Camp Osborn, December 24, 1861.

Major-General HALLECK, Saint Louis.

DEAR GENERAL: I send you the proclamation which I had caused to be issued for this rebellious district and which I think is producing a very salutary effect. This is reported the most wealthy county in the State outside of Saint Louis and has been built up with the products of the soil sold to the Government at Fort Leavenworth. I have sworn in about 800 citizens and I have two arrested for stating that they did not regard the oath. I think if I have them shot and make an example I can have peace and the parties who take the oath will regard it in future. Please advise me what course to pursue or leave it to my own discretion.

I remain yours, with esteem,

W. JAMES MORGAN,

Colonel, Commanding this District.

[Inclosure.]

PROCLAMATION.

WESTON, December 9, 1861.

To THE CITIZENS OF WESTON AND PLATEE COUNTY:

By orders from headquarters of the Army of North Missouri I occupy the city of Weston and surrounding country with the force under my

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*Confederate. Printed as received-without date or address. This order was probably issued several days earlier than the Halleck dispatch preceding it, but it is inserted here for the obvious purpose of making more clear some of the events of this period.

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