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ARMY HEADQUARTERS,
Camp Numbers 60, Boonsborough, Washington County, Ark.,
November 2, 1864.
I have the honor to report my arrival at this point last night, being unable from the number of forces brought against me to maintain my column in Missouri, encumbered as it was by unarmed men and undisciplined recruits. Entering the State of Missouri from the southeast in Ripley County, I marched northward in three columns, reuniting at Fredericktown; then moved on and carried Ironton and Pilot Knob, making a full reconnaissance as far as Saint Louis County, destroying the Iron Mountain Railroad and southwest branch of the Pacific Railroad; then turned northwest, striking the Pacific Railroad at Franklin. From that the railroad was destroyed at various points westward and the crossings of the Meramec and Moreau Rivers forced until the enemy were driven into their works at Jefferson City. From positive information received of the forces there my troops were drawn off and moved on Boonville, where a small force surrendered; thence west toward Lexington, meantime throwing a force on Glasgow and Sedalia and capturing both. At Lexington I met General Blunt's forces of Missouri, Kansas, and Colorado troops, and drove them back toward Independence, they contesting crossing of the Blue very fiercely. Here, from intercepted dispatches and other sources, I learned that a heavy force under Generals A. J. Smith, McNeil, Sanborn, and others were establishing their lines about thirty miles south and parallel to my line of march and the Missouri River, while General Rosecrans with a heavy column of infantry-in all about 30,000 strong-were following as fast as the impaired state of the roads would admit, and I was obliged, after forcing the enemy into Westport, to fall back southward. They were thus enabled to mass their forces on my column, and when south of the Osage by the rapidity of their marches were enabled to come suddenly upon my rear and strike a severe blow, capturing several pieces of artillery and between 300 and 400 prisoners, including Generals Marmaduke and Cabell, and Colonels Slemons and Crandall. The enemy followed as far as Newtonia, where they were signally repulsed, being driven for three miles with much loss, since which time they have not been heard from as advancing.
The details of this expedition, with casualties, will be given in a future report in full. On account of the broken-down condition of the stock and scarcity of forage I will divide the command, crossing the Arkansas River at different points.
I have the honor to be, respectfully, yours, &c.,
STERLING PRICE,
Major-General, Commanding.
Colonel S. S. ANDERSON,
Assistant Adjutant-General.