HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF CENTRAL MISSOURI,
Warrensburg, April 8, 1864.

Major O. D. GREENE,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Saint Louis:

MAJOR: This week a foraging party from Springfield entered the southwest part of Henry County, and while moving about in the night were mistaken for a party of bushwhackers. The citizens and a scouting party of the First Missouri State Militia pursued them, but fortunately learned their character in time to prevent serious consequences. I respectfully represent that nearly every bushwhacker we kill has a sky-blue overcoat, regulation pattern, and is otherwise in U. S. uniform, and irregular commands who are passing in the district, foraging parties and others, will be in danger of being attacked by my troops or bands of loyal citizens, unless care is taken to advise the people and the several commanders of their character.

Will you please transmit this letter to Brigadier-General Sanborn.

I am, very truly, your obedient servant,

E. B. BROWN,

Brigadier-General of Volunteers, Commanding.

[Indorsement.]

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI,
Saint Louis, April 11, 1864.

Respectfully forwarded to Brigadier-General Sanborn, commanding District of Southwest Missouri, who will concert signals and badges with General Brown, so that scouting parties from different districts may not mistake each other's character.

By order of Major-General Rosecrans:

FRANK ENO,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HDQRS. FOURTH SUB-DIST., DIST. OF CENTRAL MO.,
Kansas City, Mo., April 8, 1864.

Captain JAMES H. STEGER,

Assistant Adjutant-General:

SIR: I have the honor to transmit, for the information of Brigadier-General Brown, commanding District of Central Missouri, copies of letters addressed to the different commanders of stations in the sub-district, giving for the month of April, 1864, the signals and countersigns to be used by different scouting parties when they meet; and also copy of letter to Major P. Pendleton, paymaster, U. S. Army, giving a list of stations and troops.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JAS. H. FORD,

Commanding Fourth Sub-District.

[Inclosure No. 1.] HDQRS. FOURTH SUB-DIST., DIST. OF CENTRAL MO., Kansas City, Mo., April 4, 1864.

COMMANDING OFFICER,

Station Kansas City:

SIR: The colonel, commanding Fourth Sub-District orders that for the month of April, 1864, the following signals will be used by all scouts, patrols, escorts, &c.: The challenging party will ride forward,