October 19, 1863, Houston, Texas,
Brigadier General Henry E. McCullogh, General Orders No. 187

GENERAL ORDERS No. 187.

HDQRS. DIST. OF TEX., N. MEX., AND ARIZ.,
Houston, Tex., October 19, 1863.

With much pleasure the major-general commanding makes known to the troops of this district the following cheering intelligence from Northern Texas, congratulating them on the brightening of our prospects in that quarter:

HEADQUARTERS NORTHERN SUB-DISTRICT,
Bonham, Tex., October 15, 1863.

Very good news from our front. Brigadier-General Blunt, of the United States Army, killed by Colonel [W. C.] Quantrill 30 miles from Fort Scott. The Federals fallen back. North Fork Town burned.

Blunt had gone to Kansas, it is supposed, to organize and start his jayhawkers and Indians to the Texas frontier. On his return with his body-guard of 130 men, Quantrill attacked him, killing him, his adjutant-general, and many, if not all, his men, capturing everything he had, including his sword, carriage, &c.

General Cooper advanced upon the enemy at North Fork Town, hoping to surprise them, but his advance was discovered, and the enemy fell back rapidly, burning the town when they left it.   Our prospects are brightening in the north, thank God, and for the present, at least, Northern Texas is safe.

HENRY E. McCULLOCH,

 Brigadier-General, Commanding Northern Sub-District.

By command of Maj. Gen. J. Bankhead Magruder:

 EDMUND P. TURNER,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

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