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SAINT LOUIS, MO., February 21, 1862
General McCLELLAN:
Curtis has taken Bentonville, with wagons and baggage and a large flag which was floating on the court-house.
Had he better proceed to Fayetteville or stop and hold the mountain passes, while I send 4,000 men from Ironton and Doniphan to take Pocahontas and Jacksonport and destroy their supplies? I prefer the latter, but Curtis advises an advance to Fayetteville.
One of my scouts was in Columbus. During the night of the 18th some high officer arrived, and immense cheering at railroad depot-said to be for Beauregard. Nineteen steamers in the river. No preparations either for advance or retreat.
Navy officers say they cannot repair the gunboats in less than ten days.
H. W. HALLECK.