August 15, 1862, St. Louis, Mo.,
Brigadier-General J. M. Schofield to Brigadier-General Blunt

SAINT LOUIS, MO., August 15, 1862.

 Brigadier-General BLUNT:

Rains and Coffee, with about 3,000 men, are in the extreme western counties of Missouri. Another force (reported 6,000 strong) is approaching  Springfield from the south. General Brown's force is not strong enough to operate against both with success. If you will send such force as you can spare against Rains and Coffee and prevent their junction with the bands of rebel recruits in Central Missouri, or, if Rains and Coffee pass north of you, cut off their retreat into Arkansas, we can soon either drive them all out or destroy them. I make these suggestions by direction of the general-in-chief, and hope you will find it in your power to act upon them. I am concentrating several strong columns of cavalry upon Quantrill in Jackson County, which will break him up or drive him south, and continue the pursuit should he elude them. In the latter case I must depend upon you to assist me in cutting him off. Please inform me what you can do.

 J. M. SCHOFIELD,

Brigadier-General.

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