New Undated Website
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF SOUTHEASTERN MISSOURI,
Pilot Knob, Mo., August 18, 1863.
Major General JOHN M. SCHOFIELD,
Commanding Department:
GENERAL: I have the honor to communicate that numerous deserters from the rebel army, refugees, and paroled men are arriving at this post from the State line, Jacksonport, Little Rock, &c. They state that Price is 12 miles from Little Rock, building strong fortifications on the Bayou Meto, and expecting to be joined by Kirby Smith.
Marmaduke is at Jacksonport, and his command, aggregating nearly 5,000, are scattered in different camps from Pocahontas to Batesville. Burbridge holds Pocahontas. Camp rumors were that Marmaduke was contemplating the redemption of Missouri once more.
Holmes died on Sunday, August 2, of delirium tremens. One informed assures me that he saw his body lying in state at headquarters, and that he is very dead. Price is in command. Governor Reynolds at Little Rock. I have sent an expedition from this point, which will to-day be joined at Greenville by a similar party from Cape Girardeau. The united command will go down as far as Pitman's Ferry, and it may be Pocahontas, and return via Spring River and Centreville. I trust hey will obtain reliable information touching the movements of rebel force, and clear out the guerrilla gangs of Reves and Freeman. Whybark, the captured provost-marshal, has probably been murdered. He was released on parole at Jacksonport, with two soldiers who were captured with him, and was returning to this post on foot; was retaken by a gang with blackened faces 15 miles this side of Doniphan, and hurried into the woods; was shot in one of his legs as he was seized. Soldiers with him have arrived here. I shall use every available man I have in keeping my district a hot place for these guerrillas, and, if the regular Confederate force invades my territory, will give them the best we have.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
CLINTON B. FISK,
Brigadier-General.