March 12, 1864, Fort Leavenworth, Kans.,
Major General S. R. Curtis to Brigadier General E. B. Brown

 HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF KANSAS,
Fort Leavenworth, March 12, 1864.

 Brig. Gen. E. B. BROWN,
Warrensburg, Mo.:

DEAR GENERAL: Yours of the 6th, from Kansas City, is duly received. I do not myself suppose there are many bushwhackers now assembled at any one place, but, as you say, we may all expect them when the leaves are out. But even now the news of small squads creates much anxiety among people who have been scourged by Quantrill's raids, which, as you know, spring out of apparently quiet localities or from the hills where only 10 or 20 had been seen at any one time. It is best, therefore, to be as watchful and wary as possible. Sigel once said to an officer in my room, "We better consider the rebels all have very good guns and shoot very straight." So I always think myself; we better always regard our foes as pretty well prepared to strike us if the least opportunity occurs.

The matter at Olathe, of which you speak, had already come to my notice, and some change was made by sending another company with an officer of higher rank. The matter will be referred to General McKean, who now goes to that district command, and will be carefully corrected. I wrote you recently, but supposed you had not received my letter when you wrote me. I agree with you that the Ninth Kansas is the best regiment to keep on the border, and I have sent Colonel Chipman to Washington to try to have it retained. Since they are moving away from the line, I begin to get dispatches showing anxiety and alarm on the border. I suppose you are in telegraphic communication with me. If you hear of any assembling or movement of rebels, send me word in time to co-operate, or send word direct to Olathe, or Paola, or Fort Scott, where I am having a line completed from this place.

I remain, general, very truly, yours,

 S. R. CURTIS,

Major-General.

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