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PATTERSON, MO., November 27, 1863.
General FISK:
I will have everything on a war basis. I can hear nothing of any enemy advancing, nor any nearer than Doniphan. It is probably the conclusion not to come, as they must by this time be aware that we are ready for them. Will my men who were on picket yesterday join me?
SAML. MONTGOMERY,
Major.
PATTERSON, MO., November 27, 1863.
General FISK:
Major Montgomery has marched with 200 men. Major Robbins has arrived at Greenville with 400 men and two pieces of artillery. He states there is no force near him, and hears of none anywhere. He will remain at Greenville to-night, and will march for Bloomfield in the morning, unless ordered differently. His men are here now awaiting your orders. Shall he move to Bloomfield or toward Doniphan? They await your orders.
W. T. LEEPER,
Captain, Commanding Outpost.
PATTERSON, MO., November 27, 1863.
General FISK:
Two men here from Arkansas, Lawrence County, near Smithville. They report that they crossed Current River below Black Skull, and that they saw or heard of no enemy. They further report when they left Smithville that they were looking for troops up from Batesville under Colonel Baxter (Federal troops); that their impression was that we had troops at Jacksonport and Batesville also. I think these are not bad men. You can take the report for what it is worth. I have about come to the conclusion that there is not much truth in any of the reports we hear.
W. T. LEEPER,
Captain, Commanding Outpost.
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF SOUTHEASTERN MISSOURI,
Pilot Knob, Mo., November 27, 1863.
Major General JOHN M. SCHOFIELD, Saint Louis:
Conflicting reports reach me relative to the movements of rebels on the border; one party reports that McRae is now moving toward the Mississippi River, in the direction of Osceola, and that Jo. Shelby is at Batesville, preparing for a big raid in Missouri; another party, from Lawrence County, Arkansas, reports McRae as stationery near Pocahontas, and that his information was that a Federal scout from Little Rock, under one Colonel Baxter, was in the neighborhood of Batesville, six days ago. My troops are moving in two detachments from Greenville, one in the direction of Doniphan and the other toward Bloomfield. I hope for definite information soon. Have you a Colonel Baxter in Arkansas?
CLINTON B. FISK,
Brigadier-General.
CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO., November 27, 1863.
General FISK:
I have positive information that McRae's force has not moved at all. Patterson had moved to make junction with McRae below Jacksonport. Williams with a guerrilla force of 100 men, moved up toward Doniphan. I had planned a campaign, and was to start Monday; had your permission. I had him located to a dot and would have given him "Hail Columbia."
J. B. ROGERS,
Colonel.
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF SOUTHEASTERN MISSOURI,
Pilot Knob, November 27, 1863.
Colonel J. B. ROGERS, Cape Girardeau:
I have ordered Major Robbins to move to-morrow morning from Greenville, in the direction of Bloomfield; but upon receiving information that would lead him to the conclusion that there was no rebel force of account at Doniphan, or threatening Bloomfield, then to change direction for Cape Girardeau, and report to you at the earliest practicable hour. Rumors from the border are very conflicting. I have sent Major Montgomery direct to Doniphan in search of the enemy.
CLINTON B. FISK,
Brigadier-General.