pplies through Arkansas, will be cut off, they will be compelled to
retreat, and our flotilla and the reinforcements can descend the river to
assist in the operations against Memphis and the attack upon New Orleans.

This campaign may be difficult, the army will have to encounter hardships
and perils, but, unless defeated in the field, the enterprise will be
successful. No hardships or perils can daunt the spirit of the General, or
arrest the march of the enthusiastic army his genius has created.

Our column is composed of five divisions, under Generals Hunter, Pope,
Sigel, McKinstry, and Asboth, and numbers about thirty thousand men,
including over five thousand cavalry and eighty-six pieces of artillery, a
large proportion of which are rifled. The infantry is generally well,
though not uniformly armed. But the cavalry is very badly armed. Colonel
Carr's regiment has no sabres, except for the commissioned and
non-commissioned officers. The men carry Hall's carbines and revolvers.
Major Waring's fine corps, the Fremont Hussars, is also deficient in
sabres, and some of the companies are provided with lances,--formidable
weapons in skilful bands, but only an embarrassment to our raw troops.

Lane and Sturgis are to come from Kansas and join us on the Osage, and
Wyman is to bring his command from Rolla and meet us south of that river.

Paducah, Cairo, Bird's Point, Cape Girardeau, and Ironton are well
protected against attack, and the commanders at those posts are ordered to
engage the enemy as soon as we catch Price; and if the Rebels retreat,
they are to pursue them. Thus our expedition is part of a combined and
extended movement, and, instead of having no purpose except the defeat of
Price, we are on the road to New Orleans.

Next Monday we are to start. Asboth will go from here, Hunter by way of
Versailles, McKinstry from Syracuse, Pope from his present position in the
direction of Booneville, and Sigel from Sedalia. We are to cross the Osage
at Warsaw; and as Sigel has the shortest distance to march, he is expected
to reach that town first.

Precious time has already been lost because of a lack of transportation
and supplies. Foraging parties have been scouring the country, and large
numbers of wagons, horses, and mules have been brought in. This property
is all appraised, and when taken from Union men it is paid for. In
doubtful cases a certificate is given to the owner, which recites that he
is to be paid in cas