New Undated Website
VAN BUREN, MO., January 4, [1863.]
Major-General CURTIS:
Your telegram of the 2nd just received. No pontoons were lost. My ferry-boat will be caulked and in the water to-morrow, waiting for rope and blocks. My pontoon bridge is laid, and I have thrown Boyd's division across. Jeff. Thompson sent message, saying the west side of the Current River belonged to him. I expect twenty-five days' supplies on the 11th; then I must move down the west side to Doniphan, if only to forage my animals. I am sorry Warren could not move down Eleven Point. Do give me what force I am to have and let me push on. I have an expedition out now 20 miles from here. I visit my lines by day and night, and am getting these men to be careful. The roads are almost impassable. Have no key to cipher yet.
J. W. DAVIDSON,
Brigadier-General.