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HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF MISSOURI,
Indian Ford, on Current River,
Six Miles above Pittman's Ferry, Mo., Camp. Numbers 21,
September 19, 1864.
To-day we have entered the State of Missouri with our forces, in five health and spirits. We found the roads very rough and bad, but have not suffered much from that cause. Our strength is nearly 8,000 armed and 4,000 unarmed men-Fagan's division much the largest, Marmaduke's next and Shelby two brigades. Parties of Federals were encountered by our advance, who are now pursuing them. I learned from General Shelby yesterday that 3,000 or 4,000 re-enforcements went to Little Rock; part of Smith's corps.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
STERLING PRICE,
Major-General, Commanding.
Colonel S. S. ANDERSON,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS SHELBY'S DIVISION,
Doniphan, Mo., September 19, 1864
Colonel L. A. MACLEAN:
I arrived here with my command at 3.30 o'clock this evening, and am encamped in and around the place. A Federal scout about 100 strong came into town this morning at 10 o'clock, burnt it, and left again rapidly. They were supposed to be either from Ironton or Patterson, and had no intimation of our approach, so the citizens say. Lieutenant-Colonel Johnson with forty men fought them long enough this morning to prevent them from burning the mill one mile below the town. I will send 150 men, under Johnston, to surprise and attack them at daylight in the morning, believing they will encamp at Ponder's Mill to-night. Although this mill is directly on your road, yet the distance from where you will encamp to-night will be too great for you to reach them, and, therefore, I have taken the liberty to send after them. Am I right or not? Johnson has recruited 100 Missourians in the last week, and I have ordered him with his men to report to his regiment. I send him because he is well acquainted with the country. I desire to make due apology to General Fagan for trespassing on his line of march. Johnson will join him to-morrow.
Very respectfully,
JO. O. SHELBY,
Brigadier-General, Commanding Division.
Let me know where you will camp to-morrow night by return courier.