of the First Infantry, Missouri State Militia, for the month of May, returned through these headquarters to-day. Lieutenant-Colonel Herder reported all the companies of his regiment them under his command.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

THOMAS EWING, JR.,

Brigadier-General.

[Indorsement.]

I recommend the following modifications of General Orders, No. 44, current series:

The senior officer present on duty, in the same command, with any number of companies of the same regiment, will inspect the arms, &c., as required in General Orders, No. 44, current series, from these headquarters, and report the same, on the regular from referred to in said order, to commanding officer of his regiment serving in the department, who will consolidate all the various reports thus received and forward the consolidated report to department headquarters.

J. TOTTEN,

Brigadier-General.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, June 4, 1864.

General EWING,

Commanding:

The following just received from Charleston:

Colonel ROGERS:

The guerrillas destroyed the telegraph line for some distance last night, and swear they intend to keep it down. I will be after them soon. I fear ambush in repairing the line.

EWING,

Commanding.

From Bloomfield:

Three guerrillas killed an old Union man [named] Hicks, about 7 miles from here, last night. They shot him at work in his garden. I sent out a party last night and another this morning. Somebody will be hurt before they return.

HILLER.

J. B. ROGERS,

Colonel.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, June 4, 1864.

General EWING,

Commanding:

The following order has been sent to all my subordinates:

You will not capture, under any circumstances, any man known to be a guerrilla or acting with them. They will be killed when and where found.

J. B. ROGERS,

Colonel, Commanding.